FOUNDATIONAL MEETINGS

The planning team met with a cross-section of park users and Tracy community members. Two meetings with a total of 17 community members took place at the Tracy Transit Center on June 15, 2019. Participants represented a range of interests, from public agencies to high school athletics, club sports, park advocates, and representatives of segments of the Tracy community.

The planning team also had conversations with four members of the Tracy Parks and Community Services Commission. Themes of these conversations follow.

Open Space And Trails

Stakeholders wanted access to open space—something that has become scarce as Tracy has grown. People talked about wide open expanses, passive natural areas, access to water, and walking trails. Trails were seen as a way to be out in nature, but also a great resource for running and walking right in town, and being able to bike and walk safely to get around. Stakeholders pointed to the Iron Horse Trail and the Consumnes River Parks District in Elk Grove as things to aspire to. The Tracy Nature Park was a specific aspiration!

COMFORT, BEAUTY, AND RESPONDING TO THE CLIMATE

To be usable in all seasons, Tracy’s parks need to have ample shade. Water features would provide a great respite from summer heat. People mentioned shade structures, bathrooms, seating, and lighting that allows people to play basketball or go for a stroll when it’s dusk or dark.

Downtown Activation

Stakeholders saw a role for parks in helping to catalyze downtown revitalization, and being social glue for Tracy residents. Downtown public spaces would be a diverse mix, from public plazas to informal social spaces, trails, and an enhanced

Lincoln Park. People pointed out that Lincoln Park gets used again and again for events, and that Tracy needs more options for performances or large gatherings.

Inclusive Places With Multigenerational Appeal

Even at a smaller scale, Tracy’s parks should have features and characteristics that appeal to people of all ages so that families, active seniors, and the hard-to-please teens among us (and others) are all served. People loved the idea of co-locating libraries, gyms, parks, and other features. Parks need to be inclusive places that feel welcoming and safe to all members of the community.

Playgrounds And Features For Young Children

Stakeholders painted a detailed picture of what’s needed to make our playgrounds and play areas better. Play areas for different ages should be nearby so parents can watch siblings. Play and exercise equipment should be shaded to stay cool. We need special-needs equipment, interactive and imaginative equipment, educational features, sensory features, natural features and splash pads.

Specific Park Improvements

Stakeholders said they loved Lincoln Park for its large expanse of green (“a crown jewel”), Larson Park for its mature tree canopy, Dr. Powers Park for its community activity, and Veterans Park for its linear quality. They look forward to the expansion of Gretchen Talley Park, and point to El Pescadero Park and Ritter Family Ball Park as ones that need work.

Meeting Recreational Needs

Tracy needs to be sure to align recreation facilities and programming with what people want in the community. This means understanding the needs of underrepresented segments, and looking beyond traditional sports to embrace all kinds of recreation. Pickleball. Disc golf. Parcour. Ziplines. Community gardens and demonstration gardens. Bike trails and walking loops. Good old-fashioned four-square. Some felt that Tracy’s parks need to have more space for informal recreation and passive enjoyment.

Programming

Some people pointed out opportunities to collaborate with schools, the Boys & Girls Club, the Library and others to cross-pollinate programming and parks. Parks can be home to yoga, tai chi, Zumba and nature classes, science days and movie nights.

Delivering And Sustaining Parks

Parks commissioners, especially, were thinking about the opportunity to provide new and relevant guidance for delivering new parks through the development process that truly contribute to the parks system. They also talked about the challenge of maintaining parks whose operational funding is coming from a whole range of Landscape Maintenance Districts with different fee structures.