Albany Bulb

As part of the the City of Albany’s Measure WW – per capita Local Grant program Parks & Recreation Commission is recommending improvements to the Cove at the Albany Waterfront ($50,000).
You can read the full details at http://www.albanyca.org in the City Council Meeting 11/2/2009.
Part of the new proposed design includes improvements to the Cove, Oasis and Triangle Area…

“as you approach the cove up the path to its right, you will see a row of fruit trees with raised beds of vegetables lining the path to your left.”

Cove and Oasis Area

Oasis Seating Area: Move bicycle racks out of the view of seating and viewing area but into a highly visible location within view of people to inhibit tampering with bikes. Install one or two picnic benches. Install new seating area facing south west toward the beach within the new tree planting.

Triangle

Triangle Planting: Planting located at the triangle of the access road and path, directly south of the benches. Construct two four foot walls out of urbanite, one wall on the low east side and one wall midway in order to terrace the area and allow for mounding of appropriate planting soil.

Interesting and Important Read!

Discussion regarding Albany’s Waterfront include:

Observations – walking dogs has become one, if not the, primary user activity at the Waterfront – observations indicate that most dogs are off-leash – people love walking their dogs at the Waterfront; while others avoid the area because they are uncomfortable (I’m assuming they are referring to off-leash dogs); Cleaning up after dogs-some complaints about inconsistent cleaning up.

Questions being addressed regarding these observations

Should policies include all kinds of Waterfront park visitors?

Should policies recognize existing conditions and provide more amenities for dog owners?

Should commercial dog walking be allowed at Waterfront?

Should there be seasonal or year round exclusion of dogs from sensitive bird habitat areas?

Should there be specific off-leash dog areas?

Should there be “dog free zones”?

Discussion of Enforcement

Enforcement difficult with two jurisdictions, both with different rules regarding on-leash vs off-leash

Jurisdictional boundaries are not clear-cut in the field – to users and enforcers

Alternatives to think about

Leash/Dog Regulations

Retain existing city rules: dogs off-leash under proper control (no change)

Create uniform dog leash regulations (need to amend city regulations regarding designate specific areas for dogs Dogs On Leash, Off Leash, No Dogs for specific areas – Beach, Plateau, Neck, Parking lot, Cove.

Seasonal exclusion from sensitive bird habitat (seasonal flyway October-March) Year round exclusion form sensitive bird habitat.

Limit days/hours for dogs

Create fenced area on Bulb for dogs off-leash; other areas become on-leash or “no dogs”.

There is much more to read including the issue of Commercial Dog Walking – if Albany should adopt commercial dog walking regulations similar to EBRPD and the enforcement of policies.

Visit Albany City Website – Waterfront Committee – Agendas & Minutes

http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=330

The city of Albany, through its Waterfront Committee, selected Fern Tiger Associates to design and implement a program to involve the Albany community.

The City of Albany is sponsoring Voices to Vision, “a process designed to engage the Albany community in an informed dialogue about its vision for the city and its waterfront.”

The community meeting for Albany residents to learn more about the Albany waterfront and share their input with the rest of the community was scheduled to run from May 16, 2009 through June 25, 2009.

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The City of Albany’s Event Calendar is showing a Waterfront Meeting scheduled for May 11, 2009
at 7:30 PM. Location: Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue, Albany

Discussions will include a brief presentation by Fern Tiger Associates regarding the upcoming Voices to Vision sessions and a presentation by Sustainability Committee member regarding liaison relationship.
Discussion and possible action on matters related to the following items:
Measure WW

$27 million for Eastshore State Park improvements/expansion “…to expand and restore this eight-mile long urban shoreline park adjacent to the East Bay communities of Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, and Richmond. Consistent with the ESP General Plan, develop access improvements, restore upland and wetland areas to enhance wildlife habitat, and to complete east shore segments of the Bay Trail.”

$12.3 million for Bay Trail funding “…to connect urban communities to shoreline access and wildlife viewing, opportunities by completing the 86 mile Bay Trail along the East Bay shoreline. Acquire and develop trail links to close the remaining gaps between Martinez and Fremont.”

Other discussion includes:
Installation of bicycle rack at Waterfront Park

Read more on the Albany Waterfront Meeting

There is an interesting commentary on AlbanyToday.org:
“Albany’s public funds should not be used on a disappearing waterfront.

Charlie Blanchard and Michael Barnes, two former members on the Albany School Board, wrote the following opinion article on the waterfront issue. They warn about the risk of high tides flooding the Albany Waterfront and oppose using the city’s public funds to develop the land.
Read the article and comments at albanytoday.org