Abundant and Accessible Parks and Recreation

Where We Want to Be

In the future

People walking along Centenniel Way Trail

South San Francisco has a system of well-connected parks, open spaces, trails, and recreational facilities that serves all residents, employees and visitors and promotes public health, physical activity, use of active transportation.
Residents of all neighborhoods of the city have convenient access to well-maintained parks, open spaces, trails, and recreational facilities.
There are opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, and backgrounds to engage, participate, and enjoy South San Francisco’s parks and open spaces, recreational facilities and amenities, and recreational services.
The open space network contributes to a healthy community by sustaining a thriving urban forest, supporting urban biodiversity, and sequestering carbon.
Expanded recreational programming capacity effectively serves all segments of South San Francisco’s diverse community.
All South San Francisco children have access to affordable childcare and high-quality early childcare programs.
The City increases enrichment and youth development opportunities and increases participation for underserved children of color in South San Francisco.

Performance

Metrics

01Performance Metric:

Park service ratio

Target:

3 acres of improved parkland per 1,000 residents, 0.5 park acres per 1,000 employee
1.5 acres of open space per 1,000 residents
1.0 acres of joint use open space per 1,000 residents

Data:

02Performance Metric:

Park access

Target:

1 park, trail, open space, or privately-owned public open space within a 10-minute walk (1/2mile) of residents

Data:

03Performance Metric:

Miles of Trails

Target:

15 Miles of trails

Data:

04Performance Metric:

Program, facility, and maintenance staffing

Target:

0.75 full time and part time regular maintenance staff per 10 acres

Data:

Maintenance staff per 10 acres of park and open space land: 1 staff member

05Performance Metric:

Percent of Recreational Services Program utilization

Target:

75% Recreational Services section program utilization (as defined as the number of
participants divided by program capacity)

Data:

City to begin tracking data and provide in the future

how our plan

Gets Us There

Parks and recreational facilities provide critical benefits to the residents of South San Francisco. They provide space for exercise, socialization, relaxation, enhance the visual appearance of the city, and make the city an enticing place to live and work. A well-connected trail and park system can help bridge geographic divides and create opportunity for more interaction among South San Francisco residents. As the city grows and the recreational needs of its residents evolve, the City will maintain existing spaces and services the community already enjoys while expanding the breadth of service of the City’s parks, trails, urban forests, and recreation services. The City will ensure parks and recreation services are provided equitably throughout the community and that the City conducts community engagement and outreach related to parks and recreation services in a transparent and equitable manner.

Key issues and

Opportunities

South San Francisco maintains a variety of parks and open spaces for its residents, employees, and visitors to enjoy. The City also maintains a variety of recreational facilities across the city, offering a wide range of high-quality, highly utilized programs for residents of all ages. This provides an exciting opportunity to expand recreational programing and create new innovative park and open space types to serve the needs of existing and future residents. To meet this vision, accessibility, land availability, and funding issues create challenges for the City.

The Park and Recreation Department plays a fundamental role in creating healthy communities and enhancing our environments. Through parks and open space, recreational amenities, and services, the City supports good health for people of all ages, abilities, ages, ethnicities, and demographic backgrounds. These amenities and services can help to:

Reduce obesity and incidence of chronic disease
Provide a connection to nature which improves mental health
Increase access to healthy food options
Foster overall wellness and healthful habits

Park Classifications Recreation Facilities Recreational Services Service Standards & Funding Park Access Planned & Proposed Parks

Park Classifications

As of 2021, 316 acres of developed parklands, open space, and joint use facilities are within the City limits. This includes improved parkland (131 acres), open space (108 acres), and joint use facilities (77 acres). The City retains joint use agreements with other public agencies like the South San Francisco Unified School District, PG&E, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and BART to allow residents access to additional improved parkland and open space.

The park and open space network in South San Francisco include a range of types that have different roles and functions in the community. Each park type provides a range of opportunities for active and passive recreation, and they are categorized into three broad types: Improved Parks, Open Spaces, and Joint Use Facilities.

Improved Parklands

Community parks serve a citywide population and typically include sports facilities, such as lighted fields, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools, public art, and recreational buildings.
Neighborhood parks serve a smaller portion of the city than community parks and are usually within convenient walking and biking distance from residences.
Mini parks are small play areas or green spaces.
Linear parks are trails located along linear geographic features, including watercourses, shorelines, and public utility and transportation rights-of-way.
Specialty parks provide specialized functions.
Common green areas are publicly accessible parkland that feature community playgrounds, benches, open lawn areas, and patios.

Open Spaces

Open spaces are used for passive recreation activities, including walking and hiking.

Joint Use Facilities

School joint use facilities are available for public use due to a 2008 Joint Use Agreement between the South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) and the City of South San Francisco.
BART joint use facilities include a public access easement.
Caltrain joint use facilities include a new Downtown Plaza / westside entry to the Caltrain Station.
PG&E joint use facilities include Irish Town Green which is a grass field with walking paths and benches.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission joint use facilities include Elkwood Park.

Within the improved parks and open space, there are about 11.5 miles of trails. Examples include Centennial Way, the Bay Trail, Sister Cities Park and those located in Sign Hill Park.

Recreation Facilities

South San Francisco owns and operates a robust and distributed network of recreational facilities. These indoor facilities include the Community Civic Campus (opens 2023), Municipal Services Building (closes 2023), Joseph A. Fernekes Recreation Building, Roberta Cerri Teglia Center (formerly Magnolia Center), Orange Pool, Paradise Valley Recreation Center, Siebecker Center, Terrabay Gymnasium, Alice Peña Bulos Community Center (formerly Westborough Recreation Building), Westborough Preschool, and Community Learning Center, which is jointly operated with the Library. The Municipal Services Building also hosts recreational programing but will be retired after the Community Civic Campus opens. The City also maintains numerous group picnic areas, courts and ballfields, restrooms, and other amenities in parks throughout the city. The City also offers before and after school programs at six SSFUSD elementary schools and is planning for the development of additional preschool sites.

Recreational Services

Recreation Division staff serve residents of all age groups through its operation of recreation centers, picnic sites, rental facilities, preschools, and select SSFUSD after school sites. The Recreation Division’s program areas include the Aquatics Program, the Classes Program, the Cultural Arts Program, the Childcare Program, senior services, the Sports Program, the Rentals Program, and special events. Despite this extensive offering of services, the City has identified additional recreational programming demand, specifically a strong demand for childcare, preschool programming and after school care.

Service Standards & Funding

In order to maintain the park and recreational standards for existing and future residents, the City requires an equitable, flexible, and sustainable funding approach. The acquisition of new parkland and the construction of new facilities is an important component of meeting existing and future population needs. Parks also require consistent investment in amenities to maintain a high-quality experience. Likewise, the ongoing maintenance, operations, and staffing help to extend the life of recreational amenities, and to provide recreational services to a diverse range of South San Francisco residents.

To achieve the vision of well-connected parks, open spaces, trails, and recreational facilities that serve all residents, employees, and guests, the City maintains park service standards for improved parkland, open space, and joint use facilities. Level of service standards allow communities to require developers to dedicate land or pay an in-lieu fee as a condition of approval.

Types of Open Space	Standards (in acres per 1,000 residents)	Current Service Ratio
Improved Parkland	3.0	2.0
Open Space	1.5	1.6
Joint Use Facilities	1.0	1.0
All Park and Open Space Types	5.5	4.8

Park Access

Every South San Francisco resident should have access to parks, trails, and open spaces near their home. Parks can encourage physical activity, reduce disease, improve mental health, and support community resilience. While park access is important for everyone in the city, access is disproportionately lower in specific South San Francisco neighborhoods like Sunshine Gardens, El Camino, and Downtown. These neighborhoods would benefit from an increase of new, strategically placed outdoor spaces for recreation and new or improved recreational equipment.

Planned & Proposed Parks

The General Plan provides an opportunity to advance a series of interconnected health, equity, and sustainability goals in the development of the parks and recreation system. The City has identified locations for planned and proposed parks and open spaces throughout the city.

The General Plan also provides the opportunity to continue to develop a system of well-connected parks and open spaces to support biodiversity, enable the movement of wildlife, and increase climate resilience. The transformation of Colma Creek and an improved urban forest are opportunities to improve connectivity for wildlife between larger open spaces and to create patches of natural habitat within the urban fabric.

People standing on a field of grass overlooking the city

policy

framework

Goal PR-1 Goal PR-2 Goal PR-3 Goal PR-4 Goal PR-5 Goal PR-6 Goal PR-7 Goal PR-8 Goal PR-9 Goal PR-10 Goal PR-11

Goal PR-1

Goal PR-1:

South San Francisco equitably provides improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services for all residents.

Intent:

To advance distributional equity in the City’s improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services so that so all residents can engage in recreational, arts, and educational opportunities.

Policy PR-1.1: Prioritize disadvantaged community park and recreation.

Prioritize the delivery of improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged communities as defined in the Community Health and Environmental Justice Element.

Policy PR-1.2: Stive to have all residents within a 10-minute walk access to parks.

Strive to have all residents within a 10-minute walk of an improved park.

Policy PR-1.3: Design parks and facilities to meet universal access standards.

Design parks and recreation facilities for universal access and multi-generational use, encouraging play by residents of all abilities and ages. Continue to improve existing parks and open spaces to accommodate the needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Policy PR-1.4: Ensure equitable distribution of park and recreation opportunities.

Ensure accessible public facilities and services are equitably distributed throughout the city and are provided in a timely manner to keep pace with new development.

Action PR-1.4.1: Provide targeted recreational services.
Explore opportunities to provide and subsidize more recreational services to targeted populations (e.g., youth, older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income populations).

Policy PR-1.5: Use underutilized spaces for recreational services.

Seek opportunities to use vacant and underutilized commercial and industrial buildings for recreational services, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Policy PR-1.6: Translate information for park and recreational programs.

When appropriate, send targeted promotions and notifications related to parks, recreation, and City services in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog.

Policy PR-1.7: Identify needs of underserved groups.

In partnership with community members, identify the needs of youth, seniors, the disabled, children with special needs, people who do not speak English as a first language, disadvantaged populations, and people in neighborhoods underserved by parks, recreation, trails, and public facilities, and ensure facilities and programming serves the needs of these groups.

Policy PR-1.8: Match resident needs with services.

Monitor demographics and needs of residents in neighborhoods throughout the city and match programming with neighborhood demographics and needs (e.g., more senior programming in neighborhoods with a substantial senior population) as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process.

Policy PR-1.9: Support community events.

Continue to support and permit special events in parks organized by community organizations helping to ensure these are self-sufficient over time.

Goal PR-2

Goal PR-2:

The city has an expanded network of improved parkland to accommodate the physical and social needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Intent:

To increase the availability and connectedness of parks and gathering spaces in all neighborhoods of the city.

Policy PR-2.1: Meet improved parkland standard.

Maintain an interconnected system of community, neighborhood, mini, linear, and special use parks that achieves a standard of 3.0 acres of improved parkland per 1,000 residents.

Action PR-2.1.1: Adopt and implement Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Adopt and implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, updating the Plan every 5-to-10 years. Develop the proposed parks identified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Include new categories in parks classification system: San Mateo County-owned park trailheads, SSFUSD properties the public can access per joint use agreements, and privately-owned public open spaces, among others.
Action PR-2.1.2: Complete update of the Orange Memorial Park Master Plan.

Policy PR-2.2: Use underutilized sites for improved parks.

Add improved parkland by improving existing underused sites, such as surface parking lots, to create new green space, recreation, and gathering areas in the parks system. Consider using sites as temporary / pop-up parks to meet near term needs.

Policy PR-2.3: Foster innovative park types.

Foster innovative park spaces to activate spaces and to meet the City’s existing and future recreation needs.

Policy PR-2.4: Determine alternative temporary park locations.

Determine potential locations for temporary park facilities, such as street-ends, single blocks, parking lots, and create pilot programs at these locations to test the closure in a temporary way.

Policy PR-2.5: Develop community gardens.

Develop community gardens in parks throughout the city, particularly in neighborhoods without convenient access to healthy food, like Downtown, Paradise Valley/Terrabay, Sign Hill, Sunshine Gardens, Westborough, and Winston Serra.

Policy PR-2.6: Plan for new parks in East of 101 and Lindenville.

Ensure new residential mixed-use neighborhoods in East of 101 and Lindenville plan for a well-connected network of parks and open space.

Goal PR-3

Goal PR-3:

South San Francisco maintains a network of open spaces that provide recreational opportunities and are managed to encourage healthy ecosystems, improve air and water quality, and adapt to a changing climate.

Intent:

To increase the availability and connectedness of open spaces in the city and to leverage City-owned and maintained properties and resources to improve the ecological performance of all open spaces.

Policy PR-3.1: Meet open space standard:

Maintain a network of open spaces that achieves a standard of 1.5 acres of open space per 1,000 residents, preserving and seeking opportunities to expand open spaces areas like Sign Hill, along the San Francisco Bay and Colma Creek, and in other areas identified on Figure XX, while ensuring open spaces are accessible to people of all ages and abilities and support urban ecology.

Policy PR-3.2: Minimize environmental impact of support facilities.

Limit the construction of facilities in open space areas and design necessary improvements, such as fire roads, access roads, and parking facilities, to minimize environmental impacts and maintain the visual qualities of the open space.

Policy PR-3.3: Create new public access points to open spaces.

Seek opportunities to create new public access points to Sign Hill, San Bruno Mountain State and County Park, and the San Francisco Bay Trail and parks.

For related policies and implementation actions related to open space, open space management, and ecology, see Goal ES-1, ES-2, ES-3, and ES-5.

Goal PR-4

Goal PR-4:

The City collaborates with a strong network of partners to improve and expand park and recreational opportunities across South San Francisco.

Intent:

To increase the availability and accessibility of recreational opportunities through joint use, development agreements, and other arrangement with public agency partners, private entities, and volunteer groups.

Policy PR-4.1: Maintain joint use facilities standard.

To complement and extend City park and recreational service delivery, maintain a service target of 1.0 acres of joint use facilities per 1,000 residents.

Policy PR-4.2: Coordinate with South San Francisco Unified School District on facility access.

Work closely with South San Francisco Unified School District to improve community access to school facilities, including pools, athletic fields and playgrounds, outside of school hours to improve neighborhood access to recreational facilities, to expand after-school and summer programs, and to strengthen the relationship between schools and their immediate neighborhoods. Establish procedures for the creation of joint-sites, including the division of maintenance responsibility.

Action PR-4.2.1: Establish Sunshine Gardens Shared use agreement.

Establish a partnership with the South San Francisco Unified School District to provide access to Sunshine Gardens Elementary School open space areas and playground.
Action PR-4.2.2: Provide recreational programing in joint use facilities.

Coordinate with the South San Francisco Unified School District and San Mateo County Health Department, as well as local health providers and other community organizations, to provide recreational programming not offered in nearby public parks or recreation centers, such as after-school fitness and education programs.
Action PR-4.2.3: Expand afterschool and summer childcare.

Continue to work with the South San Francisco Unified School District to expand after-school and summer childcare.

Policy PR-4.3: Partner with school district to transform former school sites.

Partner with South San Francisco Unified School District to support the conversion of former school sites like Foxridge and Serra Vista to park space, childcare facilities, and multifamily housing.

Policy PR-4.4: Maintain Caltrain plaza joint use agreement.

Maintain a joint use agreement with Caltrain for public access at the Downtown Plaza / westside entry to the Caltrain Station. Work with neighboring property owners to maintain the site.

Policy PR-4.5: Maintain Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) joint use agreement.

Maintain a joint use agreement with Bay Area Rapid Transit for public access along the Centennial Way Trail as well as improved parkland.

Policy PR-4.6: Convert public easements.

Work with other agencies, including Pacific Gas & Electric, the California Water Service, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and to convert public easements, such as utility corridors or unused rights of way, into parks and trails.

Policy PR-4.7: Provide publicly accessible, private open space.

Work with non-residential development projects in the East of 101, Lindenville, and El Camino sub-areas to provide publicly accessible private maintained open space as part of a developer agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, or similar legally binding agreement with the city. Establish standards for private parks so that their quality is on par with public parks. Require the identification of an entity responsible for park maintenance, adoption of maintenance standards and guarantees of a funding source for long-term maintenance.

Policy PR-4.8: Support non-profit partnerships for park maintenance and programing.

Streamline internal processes to encourage partnerships with other agencies, volunteer groups, and nonprofit groups. Partner with non-profit organizations for park and trail maintenance, funding, and programming.

Goal PR-5

Goal PR-5:

Downtown has improved access to parks, gathering spaces, and public amenities.

Intent:

To increase the availability and accessibility of public, open spaces in Downtown. To remedy the environmental burdens and lack of green/open space within Downtown.

Policy PR-5.1: Create downtown network of parks.

Building on the Cypress & Pine Playlot, City Hall Tot Lot, and City Hall open space, create a network of mini parks, green streets, plazas, and other public open spaces Downtown and develop a clearly marked system of walkways to connect these spaces.

Action PR-5.1.1: Fund Downtown pop-up parks.

Establish and fund a Downtown pop-up park program as a temporary measure until new parks are opened. Encourage local food and art vendors, e.g., “Off the Grid”.
Action PR-5.1.2: Designate new Downtown park site.

Designate a site for a new neighborhood park adjacent to Downtown on the block bounded by Railroad Avenue, Spruce Avenue, Colma Creek, and Linden Avenue and require parkland dedication.
Action PR-5.1.3: Study City Hall park space opportunities.

Study opportunities to expand active park space on the City Hall property.

Policy PR-5.2: Expand Downtown park acquisition opportunities.

Seek opportunities to acquire property, including former Redevelopment Agency sites, utility rights-of-way, and other vacant and underutilized properties to convert into parkland in Downtown.

Policy PR-5.3: Partner with private developers to facilitate community gathering spaces in Downtown.

Work with development projects in Downtown to provide community gathering spaces and/or publicly accessible private maintained open space as part of a development agreement, memorandum of understanding, or similar legally binding agreement with the City. Work with the property owner to provide arts and recreation services in community spaces. Ensure spaces match the needs of residents, as described in PR-1.7 and PR-1.8.

Policy PR-5.4: Develop Downtown pedestrian corridors.

Encourage property owners to beautify alleys, corridors, and passages between buildings to create a safe and distinct environment for pedestrians and to better connect people to Downtown’s gathering spaces, historic resources, public art, and public facilities.

Policy PR-5.5: Upgrade park amenities and playgrounds.

Continue to renovate existing playgrounds to update play features, add trees, and add new amenities where feasible.

Goal PR-6

Goal PR-6:

The City provides convenient and safe trails and other pedestrian connections throughout the community.

Intent:

To ensure the community has access to safe and reliable pedestrian and bicycle connections to promote physical activity and to increase access to parks and open space.

Policy PR-6.1: Maintain and expand trail connectivity.

Maintain and expand an interconnected network of trails, greenways, and active transportation.

Action PR-6.1.1: Create Colma Creek trail.

Create a trail along Colma Creek from the Bay Trail to Orange Memorial Park, incorporating lighting, public art, and native and high-value landscaping.
Action PR-6.1.2: Implement active transportation improvements to parks and open space.

Implement new active transportation connections to the Centennial Way Trail, Colma Creek, and the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Action PR-6.1.3: Implement Centennial Trail Vision Plan.

Implement the Centennial Trail Vision Plan. Seek opportunities to create more mid-block access to Centennial Way trail.
Action PR-6.1.4: Develop Pacific Gas and Electric and Union Pacific trails.

Partner with Pacific Gas & Electric and Union Pacific to reuse utility corridors and rail rights-of-way as trails.
Action PR-6.1.5: Require new development to link to trails.

Require new development to tie into the park and trail system by providing linkages to existing parks or dedicating new park land or trail easements.

Policy PR-6.2: Connect parks to trails.

When possible, connect parks, recreational facilities, and open spaces to the trail network and Class 1 bicycle connections identified in the Active South City Plan.

Policy PR-6.3: Improve access to San Bruno Mountain State and County Park.

Improve accessibility to San Bruno Mountain State and County Park from Hillside Boulevard by removing fencing, improving signage, and allowing visitors to park at Hillside Elementary during weekends.

Policy PR-6.4: Provide sidewalk, trail, and transit links to parks.

Provide complete sidewalk networks to serve local parks. Improve the usefulness of transit as a way of getting to parks. Expand tree canopy cover to increase environmental benefits.

Policy PR-6.5: Improve trail amenities and safety.

Ensure trails have seating, shade, signage, stroller trails, and other amenities. Improve trail safety with appropriate lighting and better pedestrian and bicycle access.

Policy PR-6.6: Ensure visibility along Centennial Way Trail.

Work with developers and property owners facing the Centennial Way Trail and Colma Creek to ensure trails are unimpeded and well-maintained and there are clear sight lines along trails.

Policy PR-6.7: Ensure visibility along the Bay Trail.

Work with developers and property owners facing the San Francisco Bay Trail to ensure that the trail is unimpeded, well-maintained and that there are clear sight lines along trails.

Policy PR-6.8: Provide educational signage about biological resources.

In coordination with San Mateo County and other partners, incorporate interpretive signage along Colma Creek, the Bay Trail and in other open spaces that educate community members and visitors about the unique biological resources in South San Francisco.

For related policies and implementation actions related to the Bay Trail and climate change, see Goal CR-2. For related policies and implementation actions related to urban forestry and tree planting, see Goal ES-4.

Goal PR-7

Goal PR-7:

South San Francisco provides well-maintained and sustainable parks and recreational facilities to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Intent:

To ensure that the community is provided with excellent park and recreational facilities that meet its diverse needs and interests.

Policy PR-7.1: Meet park and facility maintenance staffing targets.

Strive to achieve a ratio of 0.75 full time and part time maintenance staff per 10 acres. Maintain staffing quality control and long-term expertise.

Policy: PR-7.2: Maintain park and recreation facilities.

Fund adequate resources to maintain existing and future parks and recreational facilities to extend their useful lifetimes.

Policy PR-7.3: Maintain park amenities.

Maintain high quality amenities for active and passive recreational use in parks, including playgrounds, fields, and sport courts, and suitability of use by younger children, including childcare provider groups.

Policy PR-7.4: Upgrade playgrounds.

Continue to renovate existing playgrounds to update play features and add play elements to existing open spaces where feasible.

Policy PR-7.5: Redesign underused parks.

Continue to redesign underused parks to update programming to attract more users where feasible.

Policy PR-7.6: Modernize aquatics facilities.

Seek opportunities to replace and expand the indoor pool at Orange Park to continue to provide benefits from aquatics programming.

Action PR-7.6.1: Complete pool design and financing studies.

Move forward with design and financing studies for a new pool.

Policy PR-7.7: Incorporate public art in parks and open spaces.

Incorporate permanent and temporary public art, including from local artists, throughout parks and seek opportunities to implement the Public Art Master Plan in parks.

Action PR-7.7.1: Adopt Public Art Master Plan.

Adopt and implement the Public Art Master Plan, updating the Master Plan every 5-to-10 years.
Action PR-7.7.2: Facilitate community engagement on public art selection.

Establish a process to allow community input into public art selection.
Action PR-7.7.3: Educate community on public art.

Produce public art educational materials for each artwork in the City’s collection and make these available to the public. Detail the locations of public art installations in materials such as walking tour guideposts, physical markers, web-based maps, or podcasts.
Action PR-7.7.4: Support community-based creation of public art.

Develop and coordinate community-based efforts to create public art pieces.

Policy PR-7.8: Integrate sustainable landscape strategies.

Integrate sustainability strategies into City‐owned landscapes to expand tree canopy, improve water quality, reduce the need to irrigate landscapes, and lower water costs. This includes green infrastructure and stormwater capture, drought resistant plants, native plants, and the use of recycled water for irrigation.

Policy PR-7.9: Ensure lighting and visibility in parks.

Ensure parks are safe by providing lighting, orienting building facades towards parks, incorporating wayfinding signage, and providing clear lines of sight.

Policy PR-7.10: Provide historical education in parks.

Add plaques, signage, and public art that celebrates South San Francisco’s history and culture in parks.

Policy PR-7.11: Install electric vehicle parking at City parks and facilities.

Install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at City-owned parks and facilities.

Policy PR-7.12: Consider health-related outcomes of park interventions.

When planning for new and upgraded park facilities and amenities, consider the health-related outcomes of park interventions in the decision-making process.

For related policies and implementation actions related to open space management and ecology, see Goal ES-1.

For related policies and implementation actions related to building and facility maintenance, see Goal ECS-3 and CP-5.

Goal PR-8

Goal PR-8:

Parks and recreational facilities have the appropriate staffing to offer high-quality recreational programs and offerings for residents of all ages.

Intent:

To expand programming capacity to effectively serve South San Francisco’s diverse community.

Policy PR-8.1: Meet Recreational Services Program staffing target.

Strive to achieve a ratio of 15 full time and part time recreation program staff per 10,000 residents. Maintain staffing quality control and long-term expertise.

Policy PR-8.2: Provide varied recreational programming.

Provide a variety of programming to ensure all residents have the opportunity to live healthy, active, and social lifestyles, including aquatics, fitness, library programs and events, and technology and innovation.

Policy PR-8.3: Maximize class offerings.

Maximize successful class offerings by increasing class size limits or offering more sessions/times.

Policy PR-8.4: Provide cultural diversity in program offerings.

Recognize the city’s diverse cultural influences and incorporate them into space planning and programming.

Policy PR-8.5: Provide multigenerational spaces.

Continue to enhance multi-generational use of existing facilities that supports a variety of programing needs.

Policy PR-8.6: Expand performing arts programs and facilities.

Continue to provide facilities and service offerings to support South San Francisco’s thriving performing arts community.

Policy PR-8.7: Expand environmental stewardship programs.

Recognize the unique ecological resources in the city through expanded recreational programing about ecology and environmental stewardship.

Policy PR-8.8: Connect services through shuttles.

Continue to provide and expand when feasible connections to parks, open spaces, public services, and programming by expanding the South City Shuttle service and the City’s van program for medically frail older adults or by bringing “pop-up” services to neighborhoods underserved by public facilities, services, and programs.

Policy PR-8.9: Provide youth skill-building opportunities.

Explore skill-building opportunities and programs that involve young people in parks and recreational service development and maintenance.

Policy PR-8.10: Involve youth in enrichment programs.

Ensure that City-run enrichment programs promote racial and social equity by ensuring that young people—and especially youth of color and youth from other historically disenfranchised communities—are involved in (and ideally leading) City-run enrichment programs.

Action PR-8.10.1: Identify and pilot enrichment programs.

Identify and pilot new ways to engage young people and their families who have not previously participated in City-run enrichment programming – and use these efforts to identify common reasons youth and families have not participated in these community resources.
Action PR-8.10.2: Target locations for enrichment programs.

Use targeted locations and coordinate with existing programs/organizations to strengthen/expand youth development opportunities specifically for youth of color and youth from historically disenfranchised communities.

Policy PR-8.11: Explore Park Stewardship.

Explore creating a program to train and hire SSF residents for maintenance and stewardship of open spaces.

Policy PR-8.12: Explore an adopt the park program.

Explore creation of an adopt a park program with businesses and community-based organizations.

For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational programs for childcare and preschool and older adults and seniors, see Goals PR-8 and PR-9. For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational programing and equity, see Goal PR-1. For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational facility maintenance and expansion, see Goal PR-7.

Goal PR-9

Goal PR-9:

South San Francisco maintains quality childcare and preschool programs citywide.

Intent:

To enhance the quality of childcare and preschool and to expand (City, private, and public) childcare opportunities and services throughout the city.

Policy PR-9.1: Enhance Child Care Program.

Maintain and continue to improve the City’s Childcare Program to enhance the quality of childcare and preschool in the city.

Action PR-9.1.1: Implement Child Care Master Plan.

Adopt and implement the Child Care Master Plan, updating the Plan every 5-to-10 years.

Policy PR-9.2: Expand early childhood education for families of color and low-income families.

Expand high-quality early childhood education for families of color and low-income families in South San Francisco and/or establishing universal preschool.

Action PR-9.2.1: Expand funding for universal preschool.

Continue exploring possible funding to establish and maintain universal preschool or to establish universal preschool for lower-income families.

Policy PR-9.3 Expand childcare options.

Expand availability of affordable childcare and preschool for people of all income levels, with particular emphasis on lower-income families particularly in Downtown, Westborough/Winston Serra, and the new residential area of Lyndonville.

Action PR-9.3.1: Update Zoning code for childcare.

Update the Zoning Code to:
- Allow large family care homes by right in residential units as required by Senate Bill 234 (2019).
- Allow childcare facilities by right in all residential land use designations when located within one-quarter of a mile from public and institutional uses, e.g., schools and churches.
- Allow child care facilities in residential neighborhoods that meet specified
  performance standards.
- Allow childcare facilities in mixed use districts East of 101 and in Lyndonville.
- Allow childcare facilities by right in the business technology park land use designation.
Action PR-9.3.2: Maintain land inventory for childcare.

Conduct an inventory of property that may be converted or developed into public or private Early Childcare Education facilities.
Action PR-9.3.3: Explore parking reductions for childcare facilities.
Action PR-9.3.4: Provide incentives for new development to create childcare facilities.

Provide incentives to new development to create childcare facilities as a community benefit. Encourage new development to provide on-site childcare facilities rather than paying an in-lieu fees.
Action PR-9.3.5: Coordinate citywide childcare programs.

Coordinate and integrate childcare programs with existing housing, community, and social programs as described in the Child Care Master Plan.

Policy PR-9.4: Support business development for childcare.

Encourage private preschools and childcare facilities to open in South San Francisco, particularly in neighborhoods with young children, employment land uses, and neighborhoods currently underserved by preschool and childcare facilities.

Action PR-9.4.1: Explore grant funding for childcare.

Explore the provision of one-time grants to Family Child Care homes for zoning permit application or to update homes to be ready for babies and toddlers, including removing penalties for those who want to legalize their Family Child Care homes.
Action PR-9.4.2: Maintain online portal for childcare.

Maintain an online portal and resources for childcare business development.

Policy PR-9.5: Advocate for Childcare.

Advocate in support of state and federal funding and programs that subsidize or expand early childhood education.

Policy PR-9.6: Partner with San Mateo County and other organizations to provide quality childcare and preschool services.

Partner with San Mateo County and other local and regional organizations to provide high-provide quality childcare and preschool services to South San Francisco residents and workers.

For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational programing and equity, see Goals PR-1 and PR-8. For policies related to funding, see Goal PR-11.

Goal PR-10

Goal PR-10:

South San Francisco provides engaging and convenient programming and services for older adults.

Intent:

To ensure older adults throughout the city have easy access to the recreational and education opportunities they need.

Policy PR-10.1: Expand senior services program.

Seek opportunities to expand the wide range of older adult and senior services provided by the City, including recreation, education, and social programs, health screenings, and other enrichment opportunities.

Policy PR-10.2: Maintain Adult Day Care program.

Continue to operate an Adult Day Care program to provide socialization, enrichment, and exercise activities to frail and/or impaired older adults with disabilities.

Policy PR-10.3: Partner with San Mateo County to extend senior services.

Continue to collaborate with San Mateo County and other outside entities to expand the reach of senior services, such as the Great Plates Delivered Program.

Policy PR-10.4: Provide shuttle and van service to senior services.

Continue to provide and expand when feasible connections to older adult and senior services by maintaining service to Roberta Cerri Teglia Center and seeking opportunities to expand the South City Shuttle service and the City’s van program for medically frail older adults.

Policy PR-10.5: Publish Senior Connections Newsletter.

Continue to publish the Senior Connections Newsletter free to South San Francisco seniors.

For related more general policies and implementation actions related to recreational programming, see Goal PR-8.

Goal PR-11

Goal PR-11:

South San Francisco maintains an equitable, flexible, and sustainable funding approach to maintain park and recreational standards for existing and future residents.

Intent:

To create a sustainable funding approach from a diversity for sources.

Policy PR-11.1: Diversify park funding.

Provide reliable and diversified funding for park development, capital improvement, maintenance, and operations. Pursue all opportunities, including use of the general fund, donations, conservation easements, inheritance trusts, naming rights, community facilities district, lighting and landscape districts, and developer incentives.

Policy PR-11.2: Reduce long term operations and maintenance costs.

Identify ways to reduce the City’s long-term operations and maintenance costs, such as adapting more energy efficient technologies for park and recreation facilities, using low water landscape palettes and recycled water for irrigation, or exploring the use of artificial turf, alternative materials and other types of ground cover that do not require heavy maintenance or frequent mowing.

Policy PR-11.3: Regularly review developer impact fees.

Regularly review (at least every 3 years) and adjust park, recreation, and childcare impact fees to work towards the City’s service standard, and to account for the changing cost of land, facilities, and equipment. Consider fees by geographic area in the city to account for different land costs. Explore annual fees for city maintenance.

Policy PR-11.4: Seek grant funding to help fund capital projects.

Continue to seek grant funding to help fund capital projects.

Policy PR-11.5: Explore bond funding.

Explore opportunities for bond measures to fund maintenance, park operations, and park and recreational amenity investments.

Policy PR-11.6: Provide publicly accessible private open space.

Work with project developers and property owners to construct and maintain improved parkland to serve new development through development regulations and development agreements.

Policy PR-11.7: Explore alternative funding sources.

Study potential for using parcel taxes or developing community facilities districts to fund facility development and maintenance.

Policy PR-11.8: Explore allowing limited economic activity in public spaces.

Lease parts of public spaces, parks and select sidewalks to private businesses and non-profit organizations to activate the space with programs and activities, such as small product vendors, bike rental, community garden plots, exercise programs, and larger events and festivals.

Policy PR-11.9: Combined State, local, and federal childcare funds.

Ensure that State, local, and federal childcare funds are maximized, secured, and braided for the benefit of South San Francisco families accessing child care.

Policy PR-11.10: Explore maintenance funding opportunities

Explore new and innovative opportunities to fund park and recreational maintenance and operations.

Abundant and Accessible Parks and Recreation

Where We Want to Be

In the future

Performance

Metrics

01Performance Metric:

Target:

Data:

02Performance Metric:

Target:

Data:

03Performance Metric:

Target:

Data:

04Performance Metric:

Target:

Data:

05Performance Metric:

Target:

Data:

how our plan

Gets Us There

Key issues and

Opportunities

policy

framework

Goal PR-1:

South San Francisco equitably provides improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services for all residents.

Intent:

Policy PR-1.1: Prioritize disadvantaged community park and recreation.

Policy PR-1.2: Stive to have all residents within a 10-minute walk access to parks.

Policy PR-1.3: Design parks and facilities to meet universal access standards.

Policy PR-1.4: Ensure equitable distribution of park and recreation opportunities.

Action PR-1.4.1: Provide targeted recreational services.

Policy PR-1.5: Use underutilized spaces for recreational services.

Policy PR-1.6: Translate information for park and recreational programs.

Policy PR-1.7: Identify needs of underserved groups.

Policy PR-1.8: Match resident needs with services.

Policy PR-1.9: Support community events.