Even with support from Menlo Park voters, building playing fields at Bayfront Park is far from a done deal. But one permitting agency said developing the 160-acre park isn’t out of the question.
Steve McAdam, deputy director of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), a state agency that regulates filling and dredging the Bay, said he has no problems, thus far, with conceptual plans to build four playing fields on the southern portion of the park.
Mr. McAdam noted that the new plans are much more realistic than previous plans for playing fields and a golf course at the park, which is built atop a capped landfill off Marsh Road.
He added that he has also discussed the plans with Ruben Nino, the city’s director of engineering services.
Mr. McAdam said current plans “won’t experience the problems” that a previous proposal would have; that proposal was to build a 75-acre golf course at the park and three lighted playing fields on the park’s tidal marsh.
“Menlo Park has definitely eliminated some of the problems that were in the earlier proposal,” Mr. McAdam said. “As far as these plans, I don’t see any major show-stoppers. I think [the city] is moving in the right direction.”
Mr. McAdam noted that BCDC will not take an official position on plans to build fields at the park until the city finalizes a design, moves forward with a proposal, and the public weighs in on a specific proposal to develop the park.
BCDC has jurisdiction over the 17-acre site proposed for playing fields because that portion of the capped landfill sits on top of a former salt marsh, Mr. McAdam said.
In order for fields to be built on the site, which is also the flattest portion of the park, BCDC would have to amend permits granted to the city years ago that call for keeping the park in “passive recreation” use.
At its July 18 meeting, the City Council voted 3-2 to put an advisory measure on the November ballot that will ask voters if they want fields at the park.
