Creek Elementary School. The property is bisected by Roseland Creek
in its southern portion and will be an important natural and recreational
resource for the surrounding community.
Over the course of many years, Recreation and Park staff have worked
with the Roseland community to develop a Master Plan for the
Community Park. Well over 20 public meetings and listening sessions
were held over more than twelve years. Developed with tremendous
community input, the final Park Master Plan leaves more than 80% of
the land in a natural open state. Traditional park amenities will primarily
be centered in the southern parts of the Park and will include picnic
tables, playground, sport court area, restrooms, lawn and community
garden/outdoor classroom and nature center. A multipurpose trail will
serve pedestrians and bicycles and a pathway will loop the entire Park
with interpretive signage in at least three languages.
On September 28, 2021, after two public hearings, the Council adopted
a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Roseland Creek Community
Park in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and approved the Park Master Plan. Development of the
Community Park was slated to begin this coming summer, 2022.
On October 28, 2021, Roseland Action and Duane DeWitt filed a CEQA
lawsuit against the City, challenging the City’s adoption of the Mitigated
Negative Declaration and approval of the Park Master Plan. The lawsuit
seeks to compel the City to rescind the Mitigated Negative Declaration
and the Park project approvals and to instead prepare an
Environmental Impact report (EIR) for the Roseland Creek Community
Park Master Plan.
After review of the lawsuit, the City remains confident that a court would
uphold the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and all
Park project approvals. City Staff, however, has determined that
engaging in the litigation could delay development of the Community
Park for up to three years and would likely cost the City over $150,000
to defend its project approvals. On the other hand, although not legally
required, preparing an EIR could be completed within approximately
seven months at an estimated cost of approximately $100,000. The
City’s primary focus is on delivering the Community Park to Roseland
residents and it remains committed to realizing the vision that resulted
from over a decade of community input.