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SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN
December 3, 2015
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT
The San Mateo County Parks
system has been in place for over 90
years and includes:
• 20 Parks
• Approximately 17,000 Acres
• Approximately 190 Miles of Trails
• 147 Family Campsites
• 3 Visitor Centers
• Serves over 1,700,000 visitors/yr.
2
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPT.
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPT.
Our 20 parks are located throughout
the County and represent a wide
variety of natural settings including:
• Coast side marine reserve
• Bayside recreational area
• Coastal mountain woodland areas
• Urban sites
3
4
Coyote Point Recreation Area Memorial/Pescadero Park Complex
Devils Slide Coastal Trail San Bruno Mountain
• Provide a unique system of natural parks and programs, a broad
spectrum of recreational facilities and opportunities that accommodate
people of all abilities, varying needs and unique interests.
• Enhance the stewardship of natural resources by developing
science based resource management programs to protect, revitalize
and restore ecosystems indigenous to our park lands.
• Provide interpretive and educational programs that instill knowledge,
appreciation and stewardship for our rich and diverse, natural, historical
and cultural resources.
• Create living partnerships with park users and the community to
realize our vision and ensure that all County residents and decision-
makers participate in and support the presentation and enhancement of
San Mateo County park lands.
5
PARKS DEPARTMENT VISION
Sustainability for San Mateo County Parks is ensuring the wise
use of resources to minimize waste, natural resources are
managed for healthy ecosystems for the plants and animals that
live there, as well as clean air and water quality, and the
Department operates accessible park system for all.
Through stewardship, San Mateo County Parks
preserves our County’s natural and cultural treasures, and provides
safe, accessible parks, recreation and learning opportunities to
enhance the community’s quality of life.
6
SUSTAINABILITY & STEWARDSHIP
• Promoting sustainability as a value will save the County Parks
Department money through increased efficiency, less waste, and
improved stewardship of its natural resources.
• San Mateo County Parks will become a model regional park department
demonstrating the value of sustainability.
• Medium or long-term returns from improving our brand and how we
communicate it.
• Working with our suppliers and customers.
• Retaining and attracting talent because we are an organization that
values sustainability.
7
WHY SUSTAINABILITY?
8
Team Member Department Role
Marlene Finley Parks Director
Scott Lombardi Parks Superintendent
Ramona Arechiga Parks Natural Resource Manager
Ed Castillo Parks Management Analyst
Sam Herzberg Parks Senior Planner
Cecily Harris Parks Grants Manager
Carla Schoof Parks Community Program Specialist
Brenda Bennett Parks Executive Secretary
Matt DelCarlo Parks Ranger IV – District I (N County)
Stephen Kraemer Parks Ranger IV – District II (S County)
Priscilla Alvarez Parks Ranger IV – District III (S. Coast)
Kevin Scott Parks Ranger IV – District IV (Mid-Coast)
Ty Kang Parks Ranger IV – District V (Maintenance)
Ed Hallett Parks Harbor Master (Coyote Point Marina)
Laurel Finnegan Parks New
David Vasquez Parks New
OUR GREEN TEAM
• Complete energy audits of the 6 of the highest use County Parks
and implement the recommendations.
• Complete water audits of the 6 of the highest use County Parks
and implement the recommendations.
• Work with a collaborative stewardship approach across the
Santa Cruz Mountains to ensure resilient forests, healthy water
and habitat.
• Achieve Green Business certification for County Parks.
9
OUR BIG GOALS
10
PORTFOLIO OF INITIATIVES
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT
Energy Water Waste Transportation
Procurement Stewardship General/Admin
11
ENERGY INITIATIVES
1 OF 2
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Transfer Utility Bills to Electronic
Payment
Transfer paying paper bills by switching to
Utility Manager to be able to pay on line.
Bills get paid faster, involve less staff time,
and reports can be produced that
summarize unity usage.
Office 0-6 months
Change energy pricing to reflect smart
meters time of use rates
Verified all meters are charging at time of
use except for 3 located at Memorial and 1
located at Huddart, which have now been
changed.
Office/Parks 0-6 months
Consider changing from propane to
natural gas in County Park facilitiesCounty DPW evaluating where opportunities
are.Parks - ? 6-18 months
Replace Metal Halide, Mercury vapor,
and Sodium type bulbs with LED fixtures
at Coyote Point Park.
In process. Cost savings for long term
fixtures. More to be done at Coyote Point
Promenade East.
Parks - 1 18-24 months
12
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Energy Audits conducted by Energy
Watch for Coyote Point, Memorial, San
Pedro Valley, Edgewood, Huddart and
Wunderlich.
Audits to occur in January 2016 to evaluate
energy efficiency, windows, HVAC,
insulation, lighting, solar panels and solar
hot water heaters will be evaluated in the
context of PG&E rebates and incentives.
Parks - 6 0-6 months
Implement recommendations of Energy
Watch AuditsTBD based on audits in January 2016. Will
request funding for FY 2016-17Parks - 6 6-24 months
Replace current flood light fixtures being
used in all parks with LED.In process Parks - All 0-12 months
Make improvements/upgrades to park
residences.
Ongoing installation of energy efficient
windows, insulation, lighting, heater, and
plumbing fixtures.
Parks - All 24-60 months
ENERGY INITIATIVES
2 OF 2
ENERGY AUDITS BY ENERGY WATCH
• Energy Audits conducted by
Energy Watch for Coyote Point,
Memorial, San Pedro Valley,
Edgewood, Huddart and
Wunderlich County Parks.
• Audits to occur in January 2016 to
evaluate energy efficiency,
windows, HVAC, insulation,
lighting, solar panels and solar hot
water heaters will be evaluated in
the context of PG&E rebates and
incentives.
• Will inform budget requests for
FY2016-17
13
WATER INITIATIVES
14
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Modify Memorial Park Water Treatment
Plant to allow taking water during wet
season instead of dry season.
Work with Resource Conservation District to
address all season storage of water taken
during winter.Parks - 1 12-24 months
Replace Memorial Park Waste Water
Treatment Plant and demolish existing.
New waste water treatment plant will be
further away from Pescadero Creek, and be
able to control remotely with less manpower.
Parks - 1 0-24 months
Secure recycled water for Coyote Point
Recreation Area and Flood Park.
Coyote Point used to be on recycled water,
and needs a connection again to City of San
Mateo given 80% irrigation. West Bay
Sanitary District will run recycled water to
Bay Road within 5 years.
Parks - 2 36-60 months
Work with BAWUA on Large Landscape
Audits to assess effectiveness of irrigation
at Coyote Point, Flood, San Pedro Valley,
and Junipero Serra.
Discuss with Ranger IVs if all areas with
dead lawns should be restored or portions
replanted with drought tolerant native
landscaping on drip irrigation.
Parks - 4 12-24 months
Work with BAWUA and State of CA to lose
the lawn where desired at Coyote Point,
Flood, San Pedro Valley, and Junipero
Serra.
Discuss with Ranger IVs where there may
be opportunities to improve the irrigation
systems in County Parks.
Parks - 5 12-24 months
WATER INITIATIVES
15
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Replace old plumbing with new water
conservation measures (i.e. low flow
fixtures, waterless urinals, etc.).
Ongoing effort All Parks 0-24 months
Minimize irrigation during 4 year drought. Ongoing effort All Parks 0-12 months
Facilitate volunteer cleanups at Coyote
Point, Mirada Surf, and Flood and Huddart
Parks to prevent storm water pollution.
Ongoing effort Parks - 40-60 months
Budget for Water Audits for FY 2016-17 for
Coyote Point, Memorial, San Pedro Valley,
Edgewood, Huddart and Wunderlich
Calculate developed area of each park and
assess total acres, convert to sq. ft. x .25 a
sq. ft. for total for each park.
Parks - 6 6-12 months
Implement water audit recommendations for
Coyote Point, Memorial, San Pedro Valley,
Edgewood, Huddart and Wunderlich.
To be determined, but will include leaking
pipes.Parks - 6 6-60 months.
MEMORIAL PARK WATER
TREATMENT PLANT
• Modify Memorial County Park
Water Treatment Plant to allow
taking water during wet season
instead of dry season
• Work with Resource Conservation
District to address all season
storage (1.5 million gallons) of
water taken during winter
• Camping at Memorial park will not
be compromised by future
droughts.
• Pescadaro creek will have water
for healthy fish and water quality
16
WASTE INITIATIVES
17
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Provide easier recycling opportunities for
accumulated scrap metal, concrete, and
used tires.
In process Parks - All 6-12 months
Promote more recycle, reuse and re-
purpose opportunities between our
individual District's
In process Parks - All 6-12 months
Install 72 new or replacement
Bearsaver garbage cans in Parks where
they do not exist.
Where not existing to prevent animals,
blowing, and easier for staff to remove.Parks - All 6-12 months
Trees and brush cleared for fire hazard
reduction are chipped for mulch which
minimizes hauling of waste to the landfill.
Reduced hauling costs. Mulch suppresses
weeds.Parks- All 0-60 months
Mill fallen redwoods from Pescadero Park
complex for bench boards, and information
kiosks
Reuse of fallen trees saves money, and
produces beautiful benches and information
kiosks
Parks -All 0-60 months
BEARSAVER TRASH/RECYCLING
CONTAINER
• Install 72 new or replacement
Bearsaver garbage cans in
Parks where they do not exist.
• Where not existing to prevent
animals, blowing, and easier
for staff to remove.
• Promote recycling in all parks.
18
TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES
19
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Develop opportunities for regional multi-
modal trails Countywide to lessen reliance on
automobile.
Currently working on following regional trail
projects: Green Valley Trail, Pedro Point
Headlands, openings S. of Crystal Springs
Trail S of Dam, CST S of Dam Gap, Midcoast
Parallel Trail, Surfers Beach, Pedro Point
Headlands, Bay Trail to Ravenswood OSP,
Dumbarton Trail, San Bruno Mtn Master Plan,
Quarry/Wicklow/Mirada Master Plan, National
designation of Portola Trail
Office 0-60 months
Develop a program for the use of bicycles in
the field for Ranger staff use/park & trail
patrols.
Initiate in District I, and consider addition to
other Districts. More Ranger presence.
Ranger health. Only possible in specific
parks/areas.
Parks – 2 6-24 months
Encourage safe routes to Parks and install
bike racks where needed.Initiate discussion with SamTrans and
adjacent jurisdictions to County Parks.Parks – All 0-60 months
Continued replacement of heavy equipment
to meet new regulations/requirements (air
quality, etc.). Chippers, tractors, etc.
In process. Recent examples include JD210
Skiploader, Kabotas, 2 new Peterbelt garbage
trucks and Shuttle bus (up to 20 people).Parks - All 0-60 months
Partner with other agencies to evaluate
shared parking and trailhead and transit
opportunities in Midcoast.
Facilitate non-vehicular access, shared
resources by collaborating with park and open
space partner agencies
Parks -7 0-60 months
County Parks has received 5 State and
regional awards for repurposing a section of
Highway 1 into the Devils Slide CA Coastal
Trail.
Received recognition provides encouragement
to complete section of the California Coastal
Trail to the south at Green Valley Trail and to
the north at Pedro Point Headlands
Parks-1 0-60 months
TRANSPORTATION REPLACEMENT FOR
CLEAN AIR BENEFITS
• Continued replacement of
heavy equipment to meet new
regulations/requirements (Air
quality, etc.). Chippers,
tractors, etc.
• In process. Recent examples
include JD210 Skiploader, 2
new Peterbelt Garbage trucks
and Kabotas.
20
PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES
21
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
County Parks will become a Green Certified
Business
Field offices will be consistent with main
administration office. Purchasing policies will
become consistent. Change purchasing of
office supplies through Green Office Depot to
green/recycled materials.
Office/Parks 0-12 months
Develop County Park Environmental
Purchasing Policy.
Tied to when Office of Sustainability develops
a Environmental Purchasing Policy, and list of
vendors, but also something that can be
initiated sooner than later by Parks.
Office 6-12 months
Promote use of remanufactured ink cartridges
for copiers.Parks can purchase remanufactured from
Office Depot instead of new.Office 0-6 months
Ensure Integrated Pest Management Policies
are followed.
Parks staff are licensed sprayers w/ Co. Ag.
Commissioner and contractors must
demonstrate how they comply with IPM
Ordinance.
Parks - All 0-6 months
Transition from recycled tire mats in
playground to Fibar.Being done playground at a time. Reduces
toxic and replaces with reusable material.Parks - All 024 months
Operate our own sign shop, which improved
standardization of sign design, repurposed
signs, and lower cost to produce than using
contractor.
Uniformity of signs in all parks at lowered cost.
Also can make signs for other County
Departments.Parks-All
0-60 months
COUNTY PARKS BECOMES GREEN
CERTIFIED BUSINESS
• County Parks will become a
Green Certified Business
• Field offices will be consistent
with main administration office.
Purchasing policies will
become consistent. Change
purchasing of office supplies
through Green Office Depot to
green/recycled materials.
• Potential cost savings.
22
STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES
23
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Manage grasslands at Edgewood and San
Bruno Mountain for resilience from impacts
of accelerated brush succession, nitrogen
deposition, lack of grazing, and controlled
burns.
Manage scrub on SBM, and continue
mowing at Edgewood. As part of SBM
Master Plan update review opportunities for
grazing and burning.
Parks - 2 0-6 months
Evaluation of landscape areas for more
drought resistant vegetation choices.
(1) Discuss with Ranger IVs where there
may be opportunities to remove or reduce
lawns within parks; possibly at Coyote Point,
Flood, San Pedro Valley, and Junipero Serra
parks. (3) Work with BAWUA and State of
CA to identify funding for vegetation
transitions (3) Work with rangers to improve
the irrigation systems in County Parks (4)
Explore the opportunity to capture storm
water run off for alternative irrigation water
sources
Parks - 4 12-24 months
Forests in County Parks will be assessed
and managed for forest health, fire hazard
reduction, wildlife habitat and hazardous
trees.
Work with partners in a collaborative
stewardship approach across the Santa
Cruz Mountains to ensure resilient forests,
and healthy water and habitat. Establish
research, monitoring and metrics.
Parks - 5 24-60 months
Developed BMPS for Regional Trail Design
and Management, Vegetation Management
Guidelines, and Watershed Protection
Standards.
Existing and standardize consistent
application of BMPs throughout Parks.
Working with Public Works to update the
Watershed Protection Standards for
Programmatic Permits for Creek and
Wetland projects.
Office/Parks 0-36 months
Improved Coyote Point Promenade West
(windsurf area) to adapt to sea level rise. Completed Parks-1 0
STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES
24
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Coyote Point Promenade East Sea level adaptation project that will
relocate parking and recreate a crenulate
shaped beach. Parks- 1
0-24 months
Remove salmonid fish migration barriers
in Memorial County Park
Completed removal of middle fork of San
Pedro Creek in San Pedro Valley in
2002,Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in 2003 ,
and West Union Creek in Huddart in
2005.
Parks - 1 0-6 months
Update Water Rights concerning drafting
water from Pescadero Creek for
Memorial County Park Water Treatment
Plant to allow taking water during wet
season for storage and use during dry
season
Work with Resource Conservation District
and Water Rights Experts to address
year-round storage of water concerns and
constraints and update/revise water rights
to reflect changes in water withdrawal
schedule
Parks - 1 6-24 months
Impaired Watershed Improvement
Program
1) Reduce TMDL issues in County Park
watersheds (e.g. sediment, bacteria,
heavy metals, etc. (2) Develop BMPs and
facilitate appropriate inspection schedules
to prevent facility failures. (3) Seek
funding opportunities to address legacy
forest practices in the Pescadero
Complex. (4) Continue to support efforts
to reduce bacteria impairments in the San
Pedro Creek watershed. (5) Work to
proactively manage the San Vicente
Creek watershed for bacteria to avoid the
need for TDML development.
Parks - 624-60 months
STEWARDSHIP HIGHLIGHT
• Forests in County Parks will be
assessed and managed for
forest health, fire hazard
reduction, wildlife habitat and
hazardous trees.
• Work with partners in a
collaborative stewardship
approach across the Santa
Cruz Mountains to ensure
resilient forests, and healthy
water and habitat. Establish
research, monitoring and
metrics.
• Inventory/assess our forests.
• .25
GENERAL/ADMIN INITIATIVES
26
Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe
Digitize County Park maps to link to County
Facility Condition Information System
(FCIS)
$74,000 available. Must be completed by end of FY
2015-16. Saves huge amount of staff time by having
information universally available within County
departments. And provide overall greater visibility for
facility use and layout.
Office 0-12 months
Develop messaging opportunity that County
Parks is green and sustainable for County
Park employees and public
Strategic Plan developed in 2013. Consistent with
Goal 17: Provide accurate interpretive, directional,
informational, and safety information and signage to
enhance the visitor experience and give accurate
and educational information to the public.
Office 0-6 months
Form Green Team to implement
Sustainability Plan recommendations Management Team and Ranger IVs to implement. Office/Parks 0-24 months
Develop Green Report Card/Performance
MeasuresCurrently report recyclables past performance
measure by District.Office/Parks 0-12 months
Only duplex on main office and color printer
for office.Currently do in main office. Need to verify in field
offices.Office/Parks 0-6 months
Utilize website and social media for
communication with public about projects.On going. Office 0-6 months
Park maps and information are available on
County Park website.Ongoing Office 0-6 months
GENERAL/ADMIN HIGHLIGHT
• Develop New Performance
Measures to measure success
of Sustainability Plan
Initiatives.
• Currently only Sustainability
related performance measure
is related to quantity of
recyclable materials.
• Progress can be shared
decision makers and the
public.
27
METRICS AND EVALUATION
• Evaluation strategy
o Develop role and action plan for Green Team to implement plan.
o Complete energy, water, and landscape audits and implement recommendations and measure savings.
o Recommend new performance measures for County Manager/Board of Supervisors/Public
• Evaluation plan
o We will put to use water saver and Utility Manager to identify areas where improvement needed to assist in altering behavior and achieve goals.
o Observe how use of alternate vehicles (bicycles, Kabotas) contribute to decrease in fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear to consider expansion.
28
METRICS AND EVALUATION
29
• Analysis of results vs. projection
o Management staff and District Ranger IVs and
III will evaluate how well the plan achieves its
goals.
• Reporting
o Distribution: Use website, social media and
Annual Reports to distribute information
internally and externally about County Park
successes at implementation.
• Timing/frequency.
30
FINANCIAL PLAN
• Define financial needs as a result of energy, water, and
landscape audits and request funding to implement
recommendations.
• Define other financial needs and seek sources of funding.
• Define opportunities for Measure A funding of County Parks
needs.
• If there are savings, identify a percentage that will be set aside
for future sustainability initiatives
KEYS TO SUCCESS
• Implementing these recommendations are consistent with
goals and objectives of County Park Strategic Plan.
• Roadmap for implementation of initiatives rolled out over
time.
• Complete energy, water and landscape audits.
• Green Team set up to help implement initiatives.
• Replace or upgrade existing aging to adapt to climate
change (i.e. Memorial Water and Waste Water Plants,
Coyote Point Eastern Promenade).
• Expected rewards will be through less waste of energy
and water and greater efficiency of resources via updated
infrastructure.
• Becoming Green Certified Business.
• Encourage collaboration within department and with other
County departments.
• Save money
• Messaging to community
o County Parks is on a journey to operate sustainably
31
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION