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Hamlin Nature Park

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Hamlin Nature Park Property is currently closed to the public.  The Hamlin Nature Park Subcommittee has developed a self guided tour to allow the public to see the site in preparation for the Master Planning process. The tours will likely take place in late March 20, 2021 and April 5, 2021. 

April 22, 2021 Update 

At the April 21, 2021 meeting of the Hamlin Nature Park Subcommittee the group voted to forward the following goals for the parkland and framework for a consultant to assist with the creation of a Master Plan to the Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission for review:

Proposed Park Goals

  1. Create gentle access to and interaction with the natural open area.
  2. Provide a trail connection between local schools, recreational facilities and regional trails by improving the existing graded dirt road, developing a trail system within the park and making recommendations to other City plans.
  3. Provide recreational opportunities through the addition of hiking trails that will serve various skill levels.
  4. Provide walkable park opportunities to the neighbors that live within close proximity to the parkland.
  5. Provide nature education opportunities to park visitors.
  6. Ensure long-term park maintenance and fire safety.

 Proposed Consultant Framework

The City of Lafayette would like to consider having the consultant draft a Master Plan and park design concept for public consideration that will meet the City’s goals for the parkland and:

  1. Provide a plan showing limited-use trails through the natural, open area. 
    1. Design a system of single-track, dirt trails across the open space that provides a reasonable setback and/or screening from abutting private properties.
    2. Park trail system should include connections back to the main trail, so there are loop options.
  2. Provide a plan with the main trail connection that has been on the City’s Trails Master Plan since 1983 (Hamlin Road Trail). 
    1. Evaluate the existing, primary park entries at Hamlin-Sweet and St. Mary’s Road to make sure they are useable, safe and properly signed.
    2. Provide recommendations for a weatherized trail that would connect St. Mary’s Rd to Hamlin Road to create a trail that could be used by people, bicycles and on-leash dogs (example, weatherized trail in north end of Community Park). 
    3. Consider adding ADA use with appropriate grading and trail weatherization.
    4. Provide recommendations for vegetative screening along private property where appropriate.
    5. Allow abutting private properties access to the Park’s main trail using appropriate paths.
    6. Identify connections from the primary entry points to schools, to the EBRPD Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, and to Buckeye Fields.  Propose additions or changes to other City plans needed to achieve these connections. 
  3. Provide a plan that includes walkable park opportunities to the neighbors that live within close proximity to the parkland.
    1. Identify park entrances that will provide safe walkable opportunities.
    2. Propose additions or changes to other City plans needed to create walkable park opportunities. 
    3. HNP Subcommittee will work with neighboring properties to discuss potential trail easement connections and the liability benefits provided by trail immunity achieved though trail easement agreements.      
  4. Provide a park design that includes the following permanent features:
    1. Benches.
    2. Individual picnic tables. 
    3. Trash receptacles.
    4. Dog waste stations (dog  waste bag dispenser and trash receptacle).
    5. Bike parking.
    6. Signage.
  5. Provide a park design that will allow limited activities and vegetation management, including:
    1. Educational Interpretive Elements consistent with a nature park.
    2. Planting of appropriate native plant species.
    3. Removal of invasive species.
  6. Exclude features and activities that are inconsistent with the Park purposes, including:
    1. Group picnic area.
    2. Barbeques and any area designed for fires. 
    3. Amphitheater.
    4. Off-leash dog areas. 
    5. Bike park or any form of off-trail biking.
    6. Restrooms.
    7. Gardens that require attending, fencing or organized attention, or draw upon City resources.
    8. Play structures, in contrast to natural play elements.  [manufactured play structures]
  7. Provide a design and plan that will ensure long-term park maintenance and fire safety, including:
    1. Sufficient City budgeted costs for vegetation management, drainage maintenance, waste collection and the like.
    2. Annual fire safety remediation as per local fire district standards.
    3. Access point(s) for fire truck entry as approved by the local fire stations.
  8. Policy recommendations  for pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, e-bicycles, motorized vehicles and dog trail usage will be developed by the HNP Subcommittee. 

The goals and framework will be reviewed by the full Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission at their upcoming make-up meeting that is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 27 at 7pm.  A link to that meeting will be posted at www.LoveLafayette.org/HamlinNaturePark

Upcoming April 21, 2021 HNP Subcommittee Meeting

The Agenda and Staff Report for the 7pm, April 21, 2021 HNP Subcommittee meeting have been posted.  Click HERE to view the files.  The Zoom Link is in the agenda.  Just click the link and open the Agenda file.       

Note: Comments submitted using the Hamlin Nature Park Public Comment Form that can be found at www.LoveLafayette.org/HamlinNaturePark will forwarded the HNP Subcommittee and posted to the online agenda link throughout the week, up to 12pm the day of the meeting. 

 Click HERE to go directly to the Hamlin Nature Park Public Comment Form.

April 7, 2021 Update

Tonight the HNP Subcommittee met and discussed the development of a scope for a consultant to assist with the development of a Master Plan for the HNP parkland.  The Subcommittee did not finalize a scope but they did come up with a list of items to be consider for the scope based on the public comment received at and before the meeting. 

The HNP Subcommittee would like to consider having the consultant design a park concept for public consideration the may include:

  • Trails (single track dirt)
  • “Hamlin Road” Trail (a multi-use Trail that connects Hamlin Road to St. Mary’s Road)
  • Benches
  • Tables
  • Trash Receptacles
  • Dog Waste Stations
  • Signage
  • Educational Interpretive Elements
  • Bike Parking
  • Natural Interactive Educational Elements 
  • Potential Fenced Off-leash Area

The HNP Subcommittee would like a consultant to do further analysis of:

  • Community goals for the park
  • Park Entrances
  • ADA needs/requirements
  • Connections to Buckeye, Schools and Lafayette-Moraga Trail
  • Recommendations for amendments to other City plans

The HNP Subcommittee determined that they will not be recommending an amphitheater, a group picnic area, manufactured play structures, fire pits or barbeques pits (no fire of any kind).

The next HNP Subcommittee meeting will be Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 7pm.  The group plans to discuss the mission of the park and the draft scope for a consultant.

If you would like to submit a public comment to the HNP Subcommittee please fill out this Hamlin Nature Park Public Comment Form

Note: this is a new form, different from the tour feedback form.  Submit as many comments as you like through this link.

 

Self-Guided Audio Tour (closed April 5, 2021, PLEASE CHECK UPDATEDS ABOVE)

Thumbnail Hamlin 

TOUR CLOSED(please do not enter the property until it is opened as a park. Updates will be posted above)

ORIGINAL: There are several ways to enjoy the tour but be sure to sign the WAIVER and read the rules on the waiver first.  

  • TOUR CLOSED (please do not enter the property until it is opened as a park. Updates will be posted above)
    • ORIGINAL: AUDIO FILE and MAP and follow along on your smart phone. 
  • TOUR CLOSED (please do not enter the property until it is opened as a park. Updates will be posted above)
    • ORINGINAL: You can listen using this YOUTUBE link and follow the MAP.
  • TOUR CLOSED (please do not enter the property until it is opened as a park. Updates will be posted above)
    • ORIGINAL: You can follow the MAP and read the SCRIPT at each stop.

Be prepared for mud. We suggest letting the park dry for a couple days after the rain.  Use caution on stairs and potentially rough terrain.

Click HERE to learn more about the plants you may see on the Hamlin Nature Park property. 

Please provide comments and feedback on this Hamlin Comment Form FORM CLOSED 

More details in the March 18, 2021 Update below.

March 18, 2021 Update 

Hamlin Property Tour TOUR CLOSED 

The Hamlin Nature Park (HNP) Subcommittee, a subset of the Park, Trails & Recreation Commission that advises Lafayette City Council has been tasked with developing a Master Plan for the roughly 20-acres of parkland newly acquired parkland between Sweet Drive and St. Mary’s Road.  At their first meeting on February 19, 2020, the HNP Subcommittee discussed the master planning process and public outreach.  Specific features were not discussed, as the Subcommittee wants to fully engage the public before beginning that discussion.  At the meeting, the Subcommittee decided that a consultant be hired to assist with developing the master plan, but that community outreach was needed first.  The Subcommittee was prepared to begin this process in March of 2020 but had to put it on hold due to COVID complications.  The Subcommittee has restarted their work in 2021 with public meetings on Zoom.  They have worked to develop a process that will allow them to continue to move forward with COVID safe self-guided tours of the property, and public meetings over Zoom (if you need free one-on-one Zoom assistance to learn how to use Zoom, please contact seniors@LoveLafayette.org or call 925-284-5050).

The site is not currently developed as a park or opened to the community, but group wants the public to be able to make informed suggestions for park features. The HNP Subcommittee has developed self-guided property tour that can be done using the map and scrip or through an audio tour produced for FREE by HNP Subcommittee volunteer Lauren Herpich.   The tours will be allowed between March 20, 2021 and April 5, 2021.  Participants will need to sign a waiver and read full details at www.LoveLafayette.org/HamlinNaturePark.  If you are uncomfortable with the self-guided tour the Subcommittee will make efforts to accommodate those that need a socially distant, guided tour of the site.  Please e-mail ace@LoveLafayette.org to request a guided tour (limited availability). 

When: March 20, 2021 to April 5 2021 between, dawn and dusk.

Where: 3333 Hamlin Road, Lafayette.  The entrance for the tour is at the corner of Sweet Drive and Hamlin Road.  We encourage the public to walk to the site if possible or park on the unpainted curb across the street from the houses/entrance.  Please cross the street carefully as there is no crosswalk, currently.

 Please

  • You MUST sign a WAVIER 
  • Maintain 6 feet of distance between groups and wear a mask when near or passing other groups.
  • No dogs.  Dogs may be allowed once the park is opened, but we ask that you leave your pups at home during the property tours.
  • Be respectful of neighbors.  The parkland is surrounded by private property, so please stay on the marked trails and be respectful.
  • Pack out any trash.  Please be aware that there are no trash cans or restrooms.
  • No picnics, camping, recreation activities.  This is just a walking tour of the site.
  • Walk your bikes.  If you ride to the site, please walk your bikes on property. 
  • Stay on marked trail. There is a lot to explore but for your safety please stay on the marked paths.
  • Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • No Smoking of any kind.
  • Only visit between dawn and dusk.
  • Please do not return to the site outside of the tour dates until the park is opened.  

Audio Tour Link:  Audio File    YouTube Link   Script

Map Link:     PDF Map     Legal Size Paper

Please provide comments and feedback on this Hamlin Comment Form

Click HERE to see the letter sent to nearby properties (300ft).

Click HERE to learn more about the plants you may see on the Hamlin Nature Park property.

January 7, 2021 Update

Thank you to all that attended last night’s Hamlin Nature Park (HNP) Subcommittee meeting.  For those of you who could not attend, the meeting focused on developing a process for developing a master plan for the parkland and did not focus on the specific details of the future park.  The Subcommittee will gather input regarding those details through future meetings that will be part of the process discussed last night.    The Subcommittee reaffirmed their desire  to gather information from the community prior to hiring a consultant who would assist with developing the plan.  The following steps will be taken to kick off the process:  

  • Begin the environmental work needed for the site. Staff is seeking proposals for portions of this work.
  • Offer public tours of the site.  The group wants the public to be able to make informed decisions when making suggestions for park features.  The site is not currently opened to the public, so staff will be working to coordinate timing and parking for the public tour of the 19 acre site between Sweet Drive and St. Mary’s Road.  The Subcommittee is aiming to offer scheduled, COVID-safe  tours with small groups in March 2021 if the county is in the red tier or better and guidelines allow for such tour.  Staff is currently working out the logistics for the scheduling and tours.  Details will be posted to the City website and will be sent to the Hamlin interest group list that is being maintained by Parks, Trails & Recreation Director Jonathan Katayanagi. Email ace@lovelafayette.org to join the Hamlin interest group email list.    
  • Hold a public meeting on Zoom to gather comments and discuss the specific features that might be included in the park. The group will start to build a scope for a consultant that will be hired to draft a plan.  That meeting will take place in late spring after the site tours. Written comments may be sent in to ace@lovelafayette.org anytime between now and that meeting date.  Please include “Batwing” or “Hamlin Nature Park” in your email subject if possible.  For those who are new to Zoom meetings, the Lafayette Senior Service department is offering FREE one-on-one Zoom support to help participants learn to use Zoom on their phone, smart, phone, computer or tablet. 
  • After the scope is developed staff will send out a request for proposals to develop a draft plan.  The draft plan will be reviewed by the HNP Subcommittee through a public meeting process and once the group is satisfied with the draft it will be reviewed by the full Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission, Lafayette City Council and any other Commissions that may need to participate in the process.  The public will have the opportunity to send in comments and attend meetings at every step of the plan development.      

The HNP Subcommittee stressed how important it was to get public input regarding the nature park.  Staff is currently maintaining an email distribution list comprised of residents that have expressed interest in the park.  If you would like to join that list please email ace@lovelafayette.org.  All Batwing meetings will be posted to the City website and you can follow Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission meeting agendas by subscribing to them at www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/e-notification.  Staff will be sending out a notice with the tour detail and meeting date to immediate neighbors of the property. Staff will also developed this page for the park on the City website.