June 2011 - Update on the Site Maintenance and Construction
The City of Santa Rosa is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 we obtained full clearance to proceed with construction of Airfield Park.
Thiis park project experienced several delays since the park was initially proposed over a decade ago. City staff worked diligently with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game to secure the necessary approvals to move forth with construction of this neighborhood park.
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Project History: After the park was proposed, the California tiger salamander which is believed to inhabit the park site, was listed as Endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the salamanders must be removed before park construction could begin.
Winter 2009: In order to proceed with construction of the park, a ramp and fence system was used to guide the salamanders to an adjacent protected site. California tiger salamanders migrate to breeding ponds only at night during the first few heavy rains of the year. In order to prevent the salamanders from migrating onto a roadway, the ramp system included a temporary migration corridor across Fresno Avenue.
The winter rains came later than expected in 2009, resulting in the California tiger salamander migration occurring later than expected. Biological surveys at nearby vernal pool sites indicated the salamanders had completed their migration by late January 2010. Based on the survey results we were able to reopen Fresno Avenue to through traffic on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. The City of Santa Rosa extends a sincere thanks to the Airfield Park neighbors for their support and assistance in assuring the fencing around the salamander migration corridor remained in place.
In March 2010, the California Tiger Salamander was additionally listed as a threatened species under the California Department of Fish and Game. The salamander was already listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This additional listing increased the extent of State oversight of this project.
This park project has been delayed for many years due to various reasons. Building this park is a priority project for the City and we intend to keep park area residents updated about the status of the project as events develop. Please visit this website periodically to stay informed about the status of this project. Airfield Park is located at Northpoint Parkway and Fresno Avenue.
City staff is working with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Fish and Game to secure the necessary approvals to begin construction of the park. The City’s mitigation plan for the loss of California tiger salamander habitat due to the park construction has been approved by both agencies. Additionally, both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game have issued permits for the project.
In order to comply with directives of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Fish and Game, we cannot engage in construction activity from October 15 through April 15 at the Airfield Park site. In preparation for the winter/spring rains and the tiger salamander migration, crews from Argonaut Construction reinforced the silt fencing surrounding the mitigation site and checked barriers around the Airfield Park site. The barriers are intended to prevent tiger salamanders from leaving the mitigation site and also from returning to the Airfield Park site.
We ask for your assistance in reporting any vandalism of the silt fencing or other barriers to the City’s Public Works Department at 543-3800, so the damage can be repaired and the integrity of the fencing maintained. Should the fencing be damaged the park project could be further delayed.
Update from March 2011
Tree Pruning: Recently neighbors who had grown frustrated with the condition of the trees on Fresno Avenue, decided to prune the trees themselves. However they left some “eye-pokers” and other potential problems, so the City hired a professional arborist to assess the situation. The arborist did a thorough pruning of all the trees, along with some tree improvements and fertilization. Additionally, the City's Parks Department is working to prepare the irrigation system for summer.
Mitigation Site: The City has been maintaining the mitigation site south of Yeager Drive. This is a necessary part of conforming with the regulatory requirements so that Airfield Park may be constructed.
Park Construction: The City is anticipating we will begin construction this calendar year, once the rains have ceased. A notice will be sent to residents in the Airfield Park area when a construction date is firmly established.
City staff is available to speak with you and answer any questions you may have about the status of the park project:
Rich Hovden, Park Planning and Development Manager 543-3775 rhovden@srcity.org
Steve Brady, Environmental Specialist 543-3919 sbrady@srcity.org