The Community Development Director, City of Newark, and CEO of Landsea Homes Inc.

cc: City Council

We, the residents of Sanctuary Village (SV), Cedar Lane, Nantucket Cove and Murrieta communities, ask the City of Newark (the city) to work with Landsea Homes (the builder) to build a community park in SV community using the existing grass area.

We moved to Newark from different places and set Newark as our home city. We expect the place will be where we can laugh, grow and play. While we enjoy living in our neighborhoods, we recognize the our communities lack a park where residents can play and exercise. With almost 1,000 homes and over 5,000 population across the four communities, there is no community park within walking distance. We want a formal community park to be built in SV community so that surrounding communities can utilize.

The immediacy of this petition is due to growing number of residents and longer stay-at-home period. The city and the builder are also considering building a public school using the vacate land next to the grass area. Regardless of the school project, our residents should have a park that meets our daily needs.

Why:

1. Active parks healthy cities: Neighborhood parks provide a safe place for children and teens to play. Parks promote a positive community by providing a place for people to meet (after Covid-19). Parks promote healthy more productive residents by providing a place to exercise. Parks provide a place for neighborhood activities that helps reduce crime. 

2. In line with Newark City's General Plan:

• Per the City's General Plan, "The Specific Plan for Southwest Newark (formerly Areas 3 and 4) also includes an approximately 5-acre neighborhood park, to be co-located with an elementary school on the south side of Cherry Street east of Ohlone College," a park for SV community was planned by the city.
• Per the  PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE section, "Newark has adopted a 3.0 acre per 1,000 resident standard for planning purposes ". Our current per capita ratio is far lower than what city has adopted.

3. Other considerations:

• Builder's proposal - The builder proposed a plan to the city and was willing to cover the cost. However, the city rejected the proposal.
• Funding - Initial construction cost can be covered by the builder, and future maintenance costs can be covered by property taxes.
   

Where:  The grass area.  

When:  As soon as possible. 

What: A community park that includes a basketball court, tennis courts, a bigger playground, and a picnic area with seating. Details to be planned by the city and the builder.

Sincerely,

Sanctuary Village, Cedar Lane, Nantucket Cove and Murrieta Residents