Title
a. Authorize and approve the naming of two unnamed trails in Jacks’ Peak County Park for Margaret Bates and Talcott Bates, respectively, in further recognition of their efforts to help secure the land to establish the Park; and
b. Approve the replacement of the deteriorated wood sign at the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area with a commemorative boulder.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize and approve the naming of two unnamed trails in Jacks’ Peak County Park for Margaret Bates and Talcott Bates, respectively, in further recognition of their efforts to help secure the land to establish the Park; and
b. Approve the replacement of the deteriorated wood sign at the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area with a commemorative boulder.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Jacks’ Peak County Park, located off State Scenic Highway 68 near the Monterey Peninsula, opened in January 1977. A 55-acre portion of the park property was originally purchased by Margaret and Talcott Bates with the vision that this unique land would become a public park to preserve, for future generations, the largest of three remaining, intact, contiguous stands of native Monterey Pine Forest habitat in the world. In September 1986, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors held a dedication ceremony for the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area in Jacks’ Peak County Park in recognition of the Bates Family’s efforts. Attachment A depicts the 1986 commemorative boulder placed at an observation area, which provides distant views of the Monterey Peninsula and beyond, and the wood sign installed adjacent to an informational kiosk at the Grove and Picnic area, to acknowledge the Bates’ contribution to the Park.
In 2020, the County was contacted by the Bates Family to replace the wood sign that had deteriorated at the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area with a commemorative boulder. In addition, a request was received to name two existing, unnamed trails to further recognize the vision and contribution of Margaret and Talcott Bates. The two existing trails provide a connection between the Grove and Picnic Area and the overlook area (Attachment B-Proposed Trails to be Named). Staff presented this request to the Parks Commission on August 6, 2020, and the Commission supported that one trail be named in recognition of Margaret Bates and one in recognition of Talcott Bates for their early efforts to purchase the land and nurture the pine forest toward preservation and eventual establishment of a public park. The proposal to name the trails is consistent with County Parks Department Policy for Selecting Park Names and Identifying Park Areas (Attachment C). Additionally, the recommended action includes replacement of the deteriorated wood sign at the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area with a commemorative boulder (Attachment D-Proposed Plaque for Replacement Commemorative Boulder). Placement on an impervious stone boulder will afford a permanent natural medium for the commemorative plaque.
CEQA
If approved, the proposed action, involving naming two existing trails and replacing a deteriorated, existing sign with a commemorative stone boulder, is a ministerial action and is, therefore, statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to section 15268 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
Staff requests that the Board of Supervisors approve: 1) the naming of two unnamed trails in Jacks’ Peak County Park for Margaret Bates and Talcott Bates in recognition of their vision and efforts in helping to secure this unique land with valuable natural resources, which became the nucleus in establishing Jacks’ Peak County Park, and 2) replacement of the deteriorated wood sign at the Talcott Bates Grove and Picnic Area with a durable commemorative boulder. If the Board approves the naming of the two trails, staff will include the new trail names when updating the Jacks’ Peak County Park Trails Maps.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel reviewed this report. The Parks Commission supported the recommendation at its August 6, 2020 meeting.
FINANCING:
If the recommendation is approved, the Bates family will directly pay for all costs associated with fabrication of the brass plaque and placement of the commemorative boulder, estimated at $5,500. Parks staff will oversee the boulder placement and make and install new wood trail signs for the subject trails at Parks’ expense. The estimated cost for materials and staff time is $300. When the commemorative boulder is placed, it becomes Parks’ property and County Parks assumes responsibility for standard annual maintenance. Staff costs associated with preparing the board report and, if approved, fabrication and installation costs of new trail signs and annual maintenance for these items are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 RMA Adopted Budget, Fund 001, Department 8510 Parks, Appropriation Unit RMA104.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors Administration and Infrastructure, Strategic Initiatives. Public Works, Facilities, & Parks active management of County Parks, including facilitating the appropriate recognition of individuals contributing to County Parks, serves to advance the historical, educational, and recreational enjoyment of the visiting public.
Economic Development
X Administration
Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: John Akeman, ASLA, Parks Planning Manager (831) 755-4911
Reviewed by: Lindsay Lerable, Chief of Facilities
Approved by: Shawne E. Ellerbee, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A-1986 Boulder & Plaque at Observation Area and Grove/Picnic Area Wood Sign
Attachment B-Proposed Trails to be Named
Attachment C-Park Policy for Selecting Names and Identifying Park Areas
Attachment D-Proposed Plaque for Replacement Commemorative Boulder
(Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board)