HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-25 Parks & Recreation Agenda PacketADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to access City facilities,
services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact
650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org This agenda is posted in accordance with government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of
the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 25, 2021
AGENDA
7pm
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070.
********BY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ONLY*******
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued
on March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be held by
virtual teleconference only, with no physical location. The meeting will be broadcast
on Midpen Media Center at https://midpenmedia.org. Members of the public who
wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions at the end of this
agenda. To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or
connecting online 15 minutes before the item you wish to speak on.
https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 999 3789 9745 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
I. ROLL CALL
II. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda. A reasonable time
restriction may be imposed at the discretion of the Chair at the beginning of the meeting. The Commission
reserves the right to limit oral communications period to 30 minutes.
IV. DEPARTMENT REPORT
V. BUSINESS
1. Approval of Draft Minutes from the April 27, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting –
Action (5 min) ATTACHMENT
2. Ad Hoc Committee and Liaison updates - Chair - Action (15 min)
3. Foothills Nature Preserve Update – Daren Anderson – Discussion (60 min) ATTACHMENT
4. Sidewalk Vendors in Parks Policy – Daren Anderson – Discussion (45 min) ATTACHMENT
5. Establish a new Ad Hoc Committee for the Sidewalk Vendors in Parks Policy – Chair – Action (10 min)
6. Baylands Nature Preserve Interpretive Sign Project – John Aikin -- Discussion (30 min)
7. Letter to Council Regarding Junior Museum and Zoo Ticket Price – Chair – Action (20 min)
ATTACHMENT
VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR June 22, 2021 MEETING
VII. COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC LETTERS
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to access City facilities,
services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact
650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org This agenda is posted in accordance with government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of
the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
Public Comment Instructions
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference
meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone.
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April 27, 2021
Parks and Recreation Commission
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES April 27, 2021
Regular Meeting
The Parks and Recreation Commission met on this date in virtual
teleconference at 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Participating remotely: Cribbs, Greenfield,
LaMere, Olson, Moss
ABSENT: Brown, Reckdahl
Others Participating remotely: Daren Anderson, Catherine Bourquin, Lam
Do, Kristen O’Kane, and Council Member Kou
BUSINESS
1. Motion to Approve March 23, 2021 Draft Minutes. Commissioner Moss
moved, Seconded by Commissioner Olson
PASSED: 5:0
2. Action to approve a new Ad Hoc committee for Skateparks moved by
Commissioner Moss, Seconded by Commissioner La Mere.
FAILED: 5:0
* The Skatepark item will go under the New Recreational Opportunities Ad
Hoc committee.
3. Youth Leadership Update Presentation
NO ACTION
4. Parks and Recreation Commission 2021 Workplan. Motion to accept PRC
workplan as written moved by Commissioner Moss, seconded by
Commissioner Greenfield.
PASSED: 5:0
AJOURNED 10:45PM
1
TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM: DAREN ANDERSON DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MAY 25, 2021
SUBJECT: FOOTHILLS NATURE PRESERVE UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational report.
BACKGROUND
On November 2, 2020, City Council passed the following motion regarding Foothills Nature
Preserve (Minutes):
A. Open Foothills Park to the general public by removing limits on non-residents, while
maintaining the maximum capacity of 1,000 persons and providing residents first access to
reservations for all facilities.
B. Amend or delete outdated and duplicative [municipal] code language.
C. For the first 90 days, temporarily limit the capacity to 750 people at any one time.
D. Return to Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission with proposals for fee,
capacity, and park management/environmental integrity studies; and
E. Direct staff to use the renaming process to consider renaming Foothills Park to Foothills
Nature Preserve.
Foothills Nature Preserve opened to the general public on December 17, 2020. On January 26,
2021 (Minutes), the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) discussed several items related to
Foothills Nature Preserve that were referred to them by City Council (fees, discounts, rules, and
enforcement policies). Included in this discussion was a concern that the pending ordinance and
emergency ordinance scheduled for February 1, 2021 City Council Consent Calendar (attached to
Agenda Item Number 3) did not include an option for an annual pass, which could limit frequent
park users from visiting the park if they must pay a daily entrance fee each time they visit. The
PRC also discussed the limitation on number of visitors allowed in the park at one time, which the
emergency ordinance limited to 400 people, not to exceed a maximum of 500 people.
On February 1, 2021 (Minutes), City Council approved the ordinance and emergency ordinance
for a $6 vehicle entry fee and visitor limit of 400 people at one time, not to exceed 500 people for
Foothills Nature Preserve.
On February 11, 2021, the PRC held a special meeting to discuss an annual pass option and the
visitor capacity limit for Foothills Nature Preserve (Minutes). On February 22 (Staff Report and
Minutes), City Council adopted an ordinance to change the name of Foothills Park to Foothills
Nature Preserve, established an annual pass including several discounts and fee waivers for entry
to Foothills Nature Preserve, adjusted the visitor limit to Foothills Nature Preserve, and identified
groups (e.g. visitors with reservations in Towle Campground) who do not count toward the visitor
2
limit. Staff began collecting vehicle entrance fees for weekends and holidays on Saturday,
February 27, 2021.
On February 23, 2021 (Minutes), the PRC reviewed and discussed a range of Foothills Nature
Preserve Daily/Annual Entrance Fee and Visitor Limit policy considerations. This included some
policy guidelines that had been recently adopted by City Council but had not previously been
commented on by the PRC. The PRC agreed to support some guidelines, while referring additional
details back to the Foothills Nature Preserve Ad Hoc Committee for additional assessment and
follow-up recommendation.
On March 23, 2021 (Staff Report and Minutes), the PRC discussed several Foothills Nature
Preserve policies and voted unanimously (6-0, 1 absent) to recommend that Council adopt an
ordinance to amend the Municipal Fee Schedule to include several new vehicle entry fees and
discounts for Foothills Nature Preserve, including new fees for medium and large vehicles/buses,
free entry on six specified days per year, free passes to be distributed at libraries; and free entry
for student field trips and all fourth-grade students; and direct staff to permanently remove the nine
hillside BBQs at Foothills Nature Preserve to help improve fire safety.
On May 10, 2021, City Council (Staff Report) approved the Parks and Recreation Commission’s
March 23 recommendation. The ordinance changes take affect 31 days after the second reading
(June 24, 2021).
DISCUSSION
Foothills Nature Preserve Visitation
From January through April 2021, there were approximately 124,000 visitors to Foothills Nature
Preserve. During that same time period in 2020, there were approximately 29,000 visitors. The
historical average (the years 2017 to 2019) of visitors from January to April is approximately
42,000. The 2021 visitation increased 322% compared with 2020, and 193% compared to the
historical average.
In January 2021, while entrance to the preserve was free, there were approximately 42,000
visitors. This is 321% higher than the historical average of visitors in January. In March and
April, after the vehicle entrance fee was implemented (staff began collecting vehicle entrance
fees on weekends starting on February 27), there were approximately 27,000 visitors per month.
The visitation in March and April was a 125% higher than the historical average.
From January through April 2021, approximately 13,000 vehicles entered the preserve on the
weekends (12,101 were daily fee paid entrances, 725 were annual pass entries, and 243 were free
entrances). Vehicles with ADA placards, drivers with a valid student ID, persons with
veteran/active military status may enter the preserve for free. Annual pass entries represent
approximately 5.5% of total visitation.
Visitation continues to be heavily weighted towards the weekends with 58.8% of visitation
taking place on weekends and holidays, which is very similar with historic visitation trends.
3
From January through April 2021, there have been 533 visitors turned away from entering the
preserve because they had dogs with them on weekends and holidays (dog turn-aways). During
this same time period in 2020, there were 47 dog turn-aways. This is an increase of 1,034%. In
2020, there were 523 dog turn-aways for the entire year. The historical average number of dog
turn-aways for January through April is 26.
Foothills Nature Preserve entrance has been closed to entry due to being at the visitor capacity
limit (currently set at 500 visitors/200 vehicles at any one time) on 16 days in 2021, with
multiple closures occurring on some weekend days. The preserve has not reached capacity since
Easter weekend on April 5, 2021.
Park Ranger Activity
From January through April 2021, there have been 15 calls for service (examples include
medical calls, missing hikers, and accidents on Page Mill Rd.) for Park Rangers at Foothills
Nature Preserve. This is an increase of 50% from the same period in 2020 (10 calls). And an
increase of 15% from the historical average where the average is 13 calls for service.
Park Rangers had approximately 202 contacts for parking violations in Foothills Nature Preserve
and Pearson Arastradero Preserve in the first four months of 2021 (175 parking violation
warnings and 27 parking citations). Historically, Rangers issue fewer than 9 parking citations per
year.
4 MONTH COMPARISONS (JANUARY-APRIL)
2021 2020 2017-2019
(Average)
^ in 2021
from 2020
^ in 2021
over 2017-19 Avg.
Visitors 124k 29k 42k 322% 193%
Dog
Turnaways 533 47 26 1,034% 1950%
Service Calls 15 10 13 50% 15%
WEEKEND VEHICLE ENTRY COUNT SINCE START OF ENTRY FEE
$6 Entry Fee
Paid Annual Pass Fee Waiver Total
Vehicles 12,101 725 243 13,069
% of Total 92.5% 5.5% 2% -
Environmental Monitoring & Data Collection
The PRC has expressed the importance of protecting the natural environment of Foothills Park,
especially during this period of increased visitation. They have advocated for environmental
monitoring and data collection to help guide policy aimed towards projecting the natural
environment and wildlife.
4
Grassroots Ecology has been monitoring the environmental impact of the opening of Foothills
Nature Preserve with respect to three different measures: trail widening, introduction of invasive
species and impact on rare plant species in the park. Following is the most recent information on
environmental impact:
There has been trail widening on the Chamise Trail that connects from Vista Point to
the lake, and the upper Coyote Trail. The widening is likely happening due to people
stepping off the trail for passing. It has damaged some of the adjacent vegetation. The
damage is limited to the narrow portions of the trail.
It is too early to assess the invasive species impact as several of the target species
would not have germinated yet.
There does not appear to be any damage to the rare plant dirca occidentalis in the
preserve.
Grassroots Ecology will continue to monitor, assess, and report any environmental impacts to
City staff on a quarterly basis.
Open Space staff responded to the early observations of off-trail activity by installing temporary
fencing and signage, which has been effective in keeping visitors out of sensitive areas. Open
Space staff will continue to place brush and downed tree limbs in areas where trail widening has
occurred. Open Space and Public Works staff completed a project to improve the overflow parking
lot at Pearson Arastradero Preserve, which may help ease some of the visitation and parking
challenges at Foothills Nature Preserve. The overflow parking lot, which can hold approximately
22 vehicles, opened in April 2021.
Foothills Nature Preserve Stakeholder Group
In January 2021, the City Manager assembled a stakeholder group (consisting of representatives
from Grassroots Ecology, Friends of Foothills Park, the Environmental Volunteers, Stanford
University Haas Center for Public Service, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Los Alto Hills, and
the Chair and Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission) to identify and recommend
improvements in the following areas at Foothills Nature Preserve:
People: Education and programs, interpretation, docents, volunteers, public engagement,
etc.
Environment: Habitat and wildlife, impact monitoring and mitigation, regional outreach,
and sustainability.
Infrastructure and Funding: Safety, trails, traffic, parking, signage, preserve entry points,
and funding for programs and infrastructure improvements.
The stakeholder group collaborated with volunteers to create a brief video to help educate visitors
on the principles of Leave No Trace, how to recreate in Foothills Park responsibly, and how to
prepare and make the most of a trip to the preserve. The video will be presented at the May 25
Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, and then made available on the City website and
distributed widely to help spread the important message.
5
The stakeholder group is also working on establishing a Trail Ambassador Program through a
partnership with the Environmental Volunteers (EVs). The goal of the Trail Ambassador
Program is to provide volunteer-led engagement of Foothill Nature Preserve visitors, expanding
their knowledge and sparking interest in the preserve as well as providing helpful information
and resources, and encouraging environmental stewardship. The EVs have 18 trail ambassadors
signed up to participate in the program. Since January 2021, the EVs have a volunteer docent
working at Foothills Nature Preserve on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. The docent sets up a
nature discovery table at Boronda Lake and contacts about 100 people a day. The discovery table
features displays relevant to foothills ecology.
A third initiative of the stakeholder group is a list of infrastructure improvements aimed at
protecting the habitat and improving visitor safety and experience. Examples of some of the
proposed improvements include split rail fencing to help encourage visitors to stay on trail,
creating a pedestrian pathway throughout the preserve to allow visitors to avoid walking on the
roadway, better defined parking spaces, adding crosswalks and speed bumps to improve pedestrian
safety, and additional signage.
Staff is working on developing a conceptual plan set, cost estimates, and funding source for the
proposed infrastructure improvements which will be shared with the Parks and Recreation
Commission for their feedback once it is developed.
TIMELINE
June 2021 Open Space staff will remove the 9 hillside BBQs
June 24, 2021 Adopted ordinance approved by Council on May 10 takes effect
August 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission review Foothills Nature Preserve
stakeholder group’s proposed infrastructure improvements
TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM: DAREN ANDERSON DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MAY 25, 2021
SUBJECT: SIDEWALK VENDORS IN OPEN SPACE AND PARKS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission review and provide feedback on the
staff’s proposed regulations relating to sidewalk vendors operating in Palo Alto’s open space and
parks. Staff also recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider forming an Ad
Hoc Committee to discuss this issue.
BACKGROUND
Within the City of Palo Alto, the Police Department has historically been delegated the
responsibility of regulating and issuing permits to “pushcart vendors” which are defined as a
person licensed to “offer food intended for immediate consumption or flowers for sale from a
wagon, cart or mobile stand from a stationary location on a public sidewalk.” See PAMC section
4.10.035.
In 2018, the State of California approved SB 946, which requires cities and counties to permit
“sidewalk vendors” to operate within their jurisdictions. SB 946 provides specific provisions for
how local governments may regulate sidewalk vendors, and it is intended that local governments
will adopt local rules within such limits.
SB 946 requires that sidewalk vendors be able to operate in City parks; however, the City may
regulate the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vendors if one or more of the following conditions
are met:
(1) Directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.
(2) Necessary to ensure the public’s use and enjoyment of natural resources and
recreational opportunities.
(3) Necessary to prevent an undue concentration of commercial activity that unreasonably
interferes with the scenic and natural character of the park.
The Police Department is currently drafting a replacement ordinance to be compliant with SB 946.
As part of this process, staff are seeking input from park staff and the PRC related to rules for
sidewalk vendors in parks.
City’s existing pushcart vendor ordinance
4.10.057 Regulations for pushcart vendors.
Subject also to the regulations and procedures contained in Chapter 4.04, licenses may be granted
to pushcart vendors in accordance with the following criteria and procedures:
(a) Use. Pushcart vendors shall be restricted to the sale of food intended for immediate
consumption or flowers.
(b) Location and Clearance.
(1) Pushcart vendors shall be permitted on public sidewalks except:
(A) Within residentially zoned districts;
(B) Within one hundred feet of school sites;
(C) At locations adjacent to city libraries, community centers, the Cultural Center, public safety
facilities and city-owned utility facilities;
(D) At locations adjacent to dedicated parks, other than sidewalks adjacent to Lytton Plaza and
Cogswell Plaza; and
(E) On designated bicycle paths.
(2) Pushcart vendors shall be permitted in the area on the west side of Embarcadero Road
adjacent to the Palo Alto Airport.
(3) No pushcart vendor shall be located in a manner that:
(A) Impedes access to any city inspection, maintenance and operational devices or controls;
(B) Blocks curbside access to a loading zone, as defined in Section 10.40.010;
(C) Impedes pedestrian access from curbside vehicles to the adjacent sidewalk.
(4) In areas zoned community commercial (CC), commercial downtown (CD) and in areas of
the downtown zoned public facility (PF), no pushcart vendor shall be permitted within a minimum
sidewalk clearance width of eight feet between fixed objects, planter wells and/or curbs. Other
than in the above locations, the minimum sidewalk clearance width for a pushcart shall be at least
half of the sidewalk but not less than three feet.
(5) No pushcart vendor shall be permitted on a public sidewalk within a distance of ten feet
from corner curb lines and corner crosswalks.
(6) No pushcart vendor shall be permitted to locate:
(A) Less than five feet from the nearest display window; or
(B) Less than twenty-five feet from another pushcart vendor.
(7) Except on sidewalks adjacent to Lytton Plaza, no food pushcart vendor shall be permitted
to locate within one hundred feet of a restaurant or food market and no flower pushcart vendor
shall be permitted to locate within one hundred feet of a flower or plant shop. On sidewalks
adjacent to Lytton Plaza, a food pushcart vendor shall be located at least fifty feet from a restaurant
or food market and a flower pushcart vendor shall be located at least fifty feet from a flower or
plant shop.
(8) In nonpublic sidewalk locations, a pushcart vendor shall be situated in a manner that does
not obstruct traffic and that assures safe vehicular and customer access.
(c) Size and Signage.
(1) A pushcart structure shall not exceed five feet in height and eight feet in length.
(2) Soft umbrellas or canopies which are open on four sides shall be permitted but shall not
exceed eight feet in height, measured from ground level.
(3) All signs shall be placed on the pushcart structure; no signs shall be permitted on ancillary
umbrellas or canopies. Freestanding signs, illuminated signs or flashing lights shall be prohibited.
(d) Operations.
(1) No pushcart vendor shall sell food or flowers from eight p.m. to seven a.m. The pushcart
shall be removed from its assigned location by eight p.m.
(2) No fires and open flame heating equipment, incidental to the operations of the pushcart,
shall be permitted.
(3) No pushcart vendor shall shout, blow a horn, ring a bell or use any sound device or musical
instrument, including any loud-speaking radio or sound-amplifying system, for the purpose of
attracting attention to any goods or merchandise on sale from the pushcart.
(4) No pushcart vendor shall represent that all or a portion of the proceeds from the pushcart
sales will be used for charitable, religious, educational, community, recreational, political or
similar nonprofit purpose or are to be transmitted to any person, firm or corporation for any such
purpose unless such vendor is licensed under Chapter 4.30 of this code.
(5) A pushcart vendor shall comply with all applicable federal, state or local laws including the
regulations of the Santa Clara County health department.
(e) License Application Issuance and Revocation. Procedures for the application for issuance
of and revocation of a pushcart vendor license shall be in accord with the provisions of Chapter
4.04; provided, that the following additional regulations shall apply:
(1) The application shall contain a statement of intended use, a map showing location and
clearance distances, and a sketch of the proposed pushcart showing dimensions and intended
colors.
(2) The application shall include a certificate of insurance in an amount and form satisfactory
to the city loss-control manager and a hold harmless and indemnity agreement in favor of the city.
(3) A complete application for a pushcart vendor license shall be reviewed by the city staff for
a determination as to whether such application complies with the regulations contained in this
chapter. Such review shall include a referral to the design staff of the department of planning and
development services for review and comment. The design of the pushcart shall be evaluated on
its own merits rather than for its compatibility with the character of nearby building facades.
(4) Conditions of approval may be imposed on pushcart vendor licenses where they are required
for the maintenance of the public health, safety and welfare.
(5) The chief of police, or designee, may revoke the pushcart vendor license if he or she
determines that the conditions of the license or any provisions of this chapter are being violated,
or if municipal use of the sidewalk is required for reasons of public safety or convenience. In the
case of a revocation, the licensee shall be notified.
(f) Penalty. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of
a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as provided by law.
(g) Effect of Section. Pushcart vendors who have valid licenses on the effective date of this
section, pursuant to prior regulations or guidelines applicable to peddlers, but whose pushcart
structures exceed the size requirements contained in Section 4.10.057(c), shall be allowed to
process license renewals and continue the use of the pushcart for a period not to exceed five years
from the effective date of this section.
California’s law on sidewalk vendor in parks--Gov. Code 51038(b)(2)(A) and (B).
Gov. Code 51038(b) (2) (A) A local authority shall not prohibit a sidewalk vendor from selling
food or merchandise in a park owned or operated by the local authority, except the local authority
may prohibit stationary sidewalk vendors from vending in the park only if the operator of the park
has signed an agreement for concessions that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise
by the concessionaire.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a local authority may adopt additional requirements
regulating the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending in a park owned or operated by the
local authority if the requirements are any of the following:
(i) Directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns.
(ii) Necessary to ensure the public’s use and enjoyment of natural resources and recreational
opportunities.
(iii) Necessary to prevent an undue concentration of commercial activity that unreasonably
interferes with the scenic and natural character of the park.
DISCUSSION
The Community Services Department’s (CSD) goal is to maintain its parks, open spaces, and
facilities as safe, well-programmed, and accessible sites for all to enjoy and recreate in. While
vending items in a park is allowed in the City of Palo Alto, new regulations are necessary to ensure
sanitary, safe, and clean conditions; to protect wildlife and habitat; and to continue to provide a
positive visitor experience.
Staff recommends creating regulations that define where sidewalk vendors are allowed to operate
in Palo Alto park land. Additionally, staff recommends creating maps of the limited areas in Palo
Alto’s open space preserves where vendors are allowed to operate. These maps may assist vendors
(as well as staff who enforce the regulations) to understand where vending is allowed.
Staff analyzed the City’s parks and open space areas for appropriate locations where sidewalk
vendors could safely operate without:
Blocking trails and parking spaces
Damaging landscaping and vegetation
Disrupting active and passive recreation for park visitors
Disrupting or harming wildlife and habitat
Impacting scenic views
Damaging park infrastructure
Encouraging food in places where it may cause problems (food stains on playgrounds,
encouraging pests that pursue food waste, introducing additional food related waste)
Here are some examples of regulations for the PRC to consider:
Vendors shall not vend in the following areas in Palo Alto park land:
o Maintenance or storage yards
o Parking lots, parking stalls or designated parking areas
o Trails (less than 8 feet wide), grass areas, vegetated areas
o Within 100 feet of any building, recreation center, bathroom, structure, or playground
o Within 500 feet of any school site, camp, or senior center
o Anywhere in the Baylands Athletic Center and Stanford Palo Alto Playing Fields when
snack shacks are open for business.
o Within 5 feet of park benches or other park furniture and within 10 feet of any
crosswalk
o Within 25 feet of any fountain, monument, or art installation
o Any park land that has an exclusive permitted food provider (e.g. the Baylands Golf
Links).
Vendors are to comply with the following:
o Vendors must close at least 30 minutes prior to park or preserve closing hours.
o No vending is allowed when a park is closed.
o No vending conveyance, stand, or pushcart shall touch, lean against, or be affixed to any
lamp post, parking meter, mailbox, traffic signal, picnic table, fire hydrant, tree, plant,
planter box, rock formation, bench, bus shelter, or trashcan.
o Nothing in these rules authorizes vending of personal services including but not limited
to boot camps, massage services, yoga, dog training, animal rides, petting zoos, or
sports/fitness classes.
o Cannot sell alcohol.
o Cannot sell unsanitary or unsafe, dangerous, or harmful food, beverage, or merchandise.
Including archery equipment, knives, sling shots, or any objects that appear to be
weapons, such as squirt guns, toy guns, or toy knives.
o Must have and display all permits in a visible area.
o Must comply with Santa Clara County Health Department rules.
o Are responsible for clean-up and removal of any waste, food items, package, litter or
materials occurring because of or related to their sales.
o Are prohibited from placing any liquid or solid waste in park trashcans, including
dumping ice on park property.
o Must bring vermin proof trash receptacles and remove upon vendor departure from the
park
o Prohibited from hooking up to or using any water, electrical, or gas outlets for the sale
of their food or merchandise.
o The number of vendors per park are limited to two (2) vendors per acre and not within
25 feet of another vendor.
o Vending in park shall be on a first come first available basis.
o Vending is prohibited during any City sponsored or permitted special event (e.g.,
festival, concert, movie night, class, carnival, parade, running event, class, or other
permitted activity).
Here are two examples of maps of locations in Open Space where sidewalk vendors could be
permitted:
Baylands Nature Preserve/Baylands Athletic Center
TIMELINE
June/July 2021: PRC to provide recommendation on a regulation on sidewalk vendors
operating in open space and parks
August/September 2021: Anticipated Council discussion and potential adoption of new
sidewalk vendor ordinance. Park rules will either go into the ordinance or be approved as
park regulations by the City Manager.
May 25, 2021
Mayor and Honorable City Council Members,
The Park and Recreation Commission is writing in support of the proposed new $10 entry fee for the Junior
Museum and Zoo (JMZ). We are glad to see the Finance Committee has recommended to reduce
admission from $18 per entry to the $10, and we support the associated lower annual pass rates ranging
from $110 to $245. We recognize the serious financial challenges faced by our City as we emerge from
the COVID-19 pandemic to a “new normal”.
We also request that the entrance fee schedule be reviewed on a periodic basis. When the local economy
recovers, we encourage reducing fees to a level that is more affordable for all families and individuals.
We appreciate and commend the partnership between the Friends of the JMZ, City staff and private
donors that has transformed this extraordinary facility. We want to ensure the JMZ continues to serve the
broader community engaging and delighting children’s curiosity for science and nature.
Thank you for your consideration.
Parks and Recreation Commission