Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout0127.094~ w January 20; 1.994 THE HONORABLE CITY CODCNCIL Palo Alt.o, California Palo Alto Harbor Imprgyements Final st.atu.~Q1.:.t. Members c.,f the Counc i1 ~ Report in Bri",f This report provides inform3tion on the imminent completion of the Palo Al~o Harbor Improvements Project, which includes marsh reetoration~ public access improvements.. sailing station construction, Harbor Master's cottage restoration and picnic area improvements. No Council actio:, is required. ;t;!j.scYssion Work on the Harbor Improvement Project began in late 1992 and was substantially completed in December 1.993. All improvements are now ope:!'ational and a-.railaLle to the public. Staff has informed boat enthusiasts that the sailing station is open. and several canoeists and kayakers are using the new facility to launch their vessels. More boat enthusiasts and board sailors are expected to use the s3.iling station to gain access to South Say waters this summer. The facility can also accommodate the launching of an infl~cable ~Jbper zodiac rescue craft l should the Fire Department need to respond to an emergenc~'" aircraft landing in the Palo Alto Harbor area. The 4~5 acre marsh is rapidly maturing and is attracting significant birdlife to the new tidal c~~nnels and island area. Shrubs have been planted between the new paths and t.he marsh to provide a buffer from these eenRitive habitat areas. The plant liner stock will be protected from ground squirrel attack with special w~re-netting barrier material. The netting material will be removed once the plants reach a more matt.:re s.tage and becorr.e naturally resistant to animal foraging. Sta_ff is currently preparing plans for the installation of special educational interpretive signs, consisting of artistic renderings -1- and information about wildlife and flora in the Palo Alto marE.h enviro~~ent. These signe will be located near the pathway benches and will be installed during early 1994. The Harbor Masterl s cott.age has bee;,. r~stored to it s original Spanish colonial revival style and is new oc~upied by park rangers, who are using the facility as a ranger station. The adjacent picnic area consisting -:>f four table~J two benches, a drinking fountain, paths~ fencing and landscaping has become a popular location for school children and other members of the public. ~ne new sailing station and marsh restoration have been completed and accessible tc the public. The Harbor Master's cottage haa been restored and is being used as a ranger stat.ion. Over the next rear. staff will procee1. with the construction of a new path between the d-.;ck pond and Embarcadero Road. ~=tt.d' JAMES BARR INGTON Senior Engineer ~ ;z".,,/ ""'",- GEORGE BAGDON mi~ubliC GLENN S. ROBERTS Director of Public Works ~V1\.~. BERNARD M. STROJNY Assistant City Manager Related Report: 268:93 CMR:127:94 Works ·2· >~>-::'<' .-: ',.