Master Plans
Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Parks District
The Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Parks District (RRRPD), established in the 1950’s, is the only independent special district within Santa Clara County and is almost completely within the City limits of Cupertino. The District facilities include a 25-yard pool, playground, barbecue area, and indoor hall. They offer an array of aquatics programs and facility rentals and are funded through program revenues and property tax from special district residents. The special district is governed by its own elected five-member Board of Directors.
The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) prepared a Service Review of the RRRPD in 2013 which recommended further analysis of governance changes for the District. RRRPD has had a zero sphere of influence since 1982 indicating that the RRRPD should eventually not exist as an independent special district. LAFCO reaffirmed the District’s zero sphere of influence in its 2013 Service Review for the District. The 2013 RRRPD Service Review found that a significant service overlap contributes to “the duplication in services delivered within the boundaries of Cupertino [which] creates inherent inefficiencies and fragmented service delivery and impedes long-term planning for the delivery of recreation services to the residents of Cupertino.”
Following disputes and allegations from community members noting mismanagement and Board disfunction in 2019, LAFCO initiated a special study which further investigates the financial feasibility and process required to implement three proposed governance options.
On February 18, 2020, City Council received the Public Review Draft Report of LAFCO’s Special Study regarding the Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District (RRRPD). Council unanimously carried the motion to accept LAFCO’s recommendations for Options 1 and 2 (Option 1 would maintain RRRPD’s current governance structure as an independent special district and Option 2 would initiate an acquisition of RRRPD by the City of Cupertino).
After reviewing the current status of the item at their March 2, 2021 meeting, City Council unanimously carried the motion to delay the consideration of the acquisition to allow for engagement in long-term planning for aquatics facilities in Cupertino, and until RRRPD completes their strategic visioning and outreach and makes a formal recommendation.
Additional background information, documents, and a detailed timeline of the item can be found in the menu below.
Timeline
January 29, 2020
LAFCO Published the results of the Special Study(PDF, 9MB) .
February 18, 2020
Council received the Public Review Draft Report from LAFCO and unanimously carried the motion to accept the recommendations for Options 1 and 2, survey the 1,400 homeowners, and discuss with the community by forwarding it to the Parks and Recreation Commission for their review and recommendation; and added the Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District Evaluation to the FY 2019-20 City Work Program. Meeting Details
March 5, 2020
Parks and Recreation Commission provided feedback on RRRPD resident survey questions. Meeting Details
March 7 to March 23, 2020
Survey was published and available online via opentownhall.com.
March 16, 2020
COVID SIP Order began (impacts to community outreach)
August 6, 2020
Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed survey results
- Response rate of 3.9% of RRRPD households (50 households)
- 65% of respondents indicated they preferred Option 2: Merger of RRRPD with the City
- Several responses indicated a lack of knowledge of the special district amongst its residents
Meeting Details
September 10, 2020
RRRPD Board selected Rauch Communication, Inc. as the vendor to execute strategic visioning process. Estimated 6-month timeline to address a three-year strategic plan, background research and benchmarking, and community outreach. Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2020
Parks and Recreation Commission received additional RRRPD usage data provided by the RRRPD General Manager
- 10% of RRRPD users are RRRPD residents (53 households)
- 34% of RRRPD users are Cupertino residents, including RRRPD residents (178 households)
- 66% of RRRPD are non-Cupertino residents (350 households)
Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the City Council Option 2: Merger of RRRPD with the City of Cupertino, as listed in the LAFCO report Special Study: RRRPD Governance Options based on the data received, including the LAFCO report, survey data, and usage information. Meeting Details
October 27, 2020
The Assistant City Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, and Public Works Assistant Director met with Neelima Palacherla of LAFCO, who provided next steps if the City were to move forward with a merger of RRRPD.
LAFCO provided the application requirements including the plan for services, the resolution and proposed terms, and the LAFCO fee schedule which notes the $12,122 cost for the application. Other potential costs associated include a call for an election once LAFCO completes the approval process, which is estimated between $100,000 and $200,000.
October 29, 2020
A memo(PDF, 241KB) was sent to the City Council, providing them an update on the work program item.
December 2, 2020
LAFCO held a meeting on this date and provided the following update to their Board:
UPDATE ON RANCHO RINCONADA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT SPECIAL STUDY
The City of Cupertino’s Parks and Recreation Commission has considered the Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District Special Study and has recommended that the City move forward with the potential merger of the District with the City of Cupertino. EO Palacherla met with City staff on October 27, 2020 to answer their questions on process and next steps. As requested by City staff, EO Palacherla then provided them with LAFCO’s prior service reviews/ sphere of influence updates of the District and information on the application requirements and applicable fees, and election requirements.
Agenda and Staff Report
December 10, 2020
New RRRPD Board was seated.
February 11, 2021
RRRPD Board carried a motion to approve the use of $27,000 for an outreach action plan to help educate the special district residents on the potential merger with the City. Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2021
City Council unanimously carried to delay the consideration of the acquisition to allow for engagement in long-term planning for aquatics facilities in Cupertino and until RRRPD completes their strategic visioning and outreach and makes a formal recommendation. Meeting Details
June 10, 2021
The RRRPD Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Strategic Plan to guide the District from FY 2022 to FY 2024, including a resolution supporting the District’s continued existence and governance as an independent special district. Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2021
The Parks and Recreation Commission will be considering a recommendation that the City not proceed with the annexation of Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) until such time that the RRRPD Board requests that the City annex the facility, or until LAFCO initiates a transfer of the facilities management from the RRRPD Board to the City. Agenda
For further information regarding the strategic visioning and outreach process, please visit the RRRPD webpage.
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New Athletic Field Use Policy
The updated Athletic Field Use Policy was considered by the Cupertino City Council at the April 20, 2021 council meeting and was approved at the May 4, 2021 meeting. The new policy went into effect on July 1, 2021.
New fees for FY22-23 were adopted May 19, 2022 and went into effect July 18, 2022.
Sites with fields included under the Athletic Field Use Policy:
- Creekside Park
- Jollyman Park
- Hoover Park
- Wilson Park
- Monta Vista Park
- Library Field
- Garden Gate Elementary
- Eaton Elementary
- Faria Elementary
- Hyde Middle School
- Kennedy Middle School
- Regnart Elementary
- Stevens Creek Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Collins Elementary
Questions
For questions or to provide additional feedback, please email recreation@cupertino.org.
Documents
Athletic Field Use Policy(PDF, 284KB)
Timeline
January 18, 2022 City Council received a six month update on the Athletic Field Use Policy
September 21, 2021 Athletic Field Use Policy revisited by City Council
May 4, 2021 updated Athletic Field Use Policy approved by City Council.
April 20, 2021 Athletic Field Policy update presented at the City Council meeting.
April 8, 2021 Athletic Field Use Policy update presented at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
March 9, 2021 Community meeting for community members to speak on Sunday Use and Rest Period and provide feedback.
February 17, 2021 to March 21, 2021 Survey for the community to provide feedback on the Athletic Field Use Policy Sunday Use and Rest Periods.