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City of Brentwood Parks, Trails and Recreations Master Plan

City of Brentwood
Parks and Recreations Department
Attn. Craig Bronzan

Subject: Parks, Trails and Recreations Master Plan – Commentary of Final Draft

As a representative of ECHO, on 10/2 I attended a seminar co-hosted by EBRPD and ABAG/Trails Council. Economic analysis of the East Bay’s unique environment – Quantifying the Quality of Life. Of interest was how “value” was placed on “recreational activities”. To summarize the equestrian vs. other utility users: Although there were less “visits” by equestrian users than say hikers, the equestrian “value” was the second highest from the list of 10. The interpretation from the Economist, Mr. Walt Kessler, was that Equestrians put an extremely high value to the riding experience. This “value” had a monetary significance in expenditure to the community. The purpose for bringing this up in regards to this report is the “telephone survey” to Brentwood residents to determine use of facilities may be flawed if one is to think this is a direct result of what the Community desires. Interpretation cannot be as simple as a direct “high number of responses” equals “desired facilities” for the Community.

Please forward ECHO, East County Horsemen’s Organization, comments to RRM Design Group.

The final draft has incorporated some of ECHO’s recommendations, which we would like to express appreciation. We submit commentary on the Needs Analysis included in this report and provide recommendations that we support from the equestrian community.

4.3 – 4.4 Needs Analysis of Desired Facility and Most Desired Rec Program “Horseback Riding” is not a facility, i.e. golf course, pool, community center. “Horseback Riding” is not a recreation program that “equestrian owners” would desire. Why? Horseback riding denotes “a person that cannot ride” or basic horsemanship. Offering training such as dressage, reining, cutting, are programs that would interest the community that own horses…not “horseback riding”.

The analysis although well intended is problematic. To the average reader of the report the analysis would convey the equestrian community is not active, alive, and well. On the contrary, the equestrian community is growing and needs infrastructure.

4.5.4 Park Themes

Consolidation of the individual themes is quite possible. The “historic” theme was the most popular and less popular were “Hispanic, creek, horse, farm/ag”. Brentwood’s historic includes all of the above.

5.2 Safety Agree with the challenge of not “dumbing down” but rather safe creative park designs. This challenge is a case for inclusion of a “designated area” in Neighborhood parks for equestrian. With safety considered this could be done well and provide uniqueness and more user-ability.

6.1.2.4 Excellent! Identification of development of staging areas throughout the City green space networks to ensure all trail users safe access to trails (equestrian, cyclist…).

6.3 Variety and Uniqueness This is the policy that could set Brentwood aside from all other Contra Costa cities. The uniqueness that we have is the equestrian community. By providing hitching rails and infrastructure you will maintain the feel of rural town and the values the community desired in the Needs Analysis. These features are low cost and provide a high aesthetic value and sense of small town, but are productive infrastructure.

7.1.7 Appropriate Signage Please consider incorporating the EBRPD Yield System signage. This is a safety and educational way of informing the public of which users yield. Well-known system used in Contra Costa County.

7.2.4. Basic Design Elements Hitching rails and locate restrooms by trails Water troughs (This can be accomplished at a low cost, including donation program. Perhaps this could be included – there is interest in the Community for these features. This has been accomplished in Walnut Creek – Heather Farms arena was all donated.)

Basic Design Elements- Sports Park Guidelines This is the one area that ECHO believes would incorporate equestrian usage for a wide range of our sports activities. If properly designed, this “horse sports arena” could provide multiple users an opportunity to use a City Park to the optimum.

Basic design elements – G AND h. exercise /fitness course and designated jogging/walking circuit 5 miles in length could apply to equestrians. However, the designing a trail course would be extremely popular and useful (bridges, log obstacles, water obstacle, etc.). This could provide “uniqueness” again to Brentwood – a parallel course for people and horses! This definitely takes more creativity and thought; however, it would provide interest and variety to all users.

Open-air amphitheater/outdoor performance area includes – to accommodate equestrian activities among these uses.

Park elements and Features Matrix – 2000 Equestrian arena – Sports Park Equestrian obstacle/trail course – Sports Park Equestrian area (bench/hitching rails,trough) – neighborhood park, sports park

Neighborhood Park Design and Sports Park Design Drawings These sketches should include above recommendations. Buffer areas of equestrian area in neighborhood parks for optimum safety, i.e. high bushes separating the passive area. This area should be adjacent to trail connections.

Sports Park design should incorporate a minimum 5-acre site for arena, rig parking and other amenities that would provide ability to hold “multi-use” shows and “flea markets”. Covered arena would provide year-round usage.

Note: Brentwood has held many events such as team and individual roping, calf penning, gymkana events as a routine recreation in this farm/ag area. These events have always been held at private facilities and are currently still held weekly at Brentwood Ranches. These are generally open to the public and are widely attended by all-ages and cultures. This is part of Brentwood Recreational History. Charros are also part of our culture. These should be included in this report so the reader/report user can find the distinction of Brentwood from “average” City. The equestrian is a part of our community..our friend, our family, our recreation, our competition, our pride. The users moving in are expanding the traditional western-type of recreational equestrian events into “vaulting, dressage, many clinics”, which require a place to hold these events. Additionally, there is a significant economical benefit to the Community tax base to (1) keep the equestrian, and (2) attract the tourist. The economical benefit from equestrian was illustrated in the EBRPD economical evaluation. The equestrian was the highest spender in the area of Utility Users to the Parks.

Respectfully Submitted,