The Master Plan is studying a range of improvements for Lake Merritt based on the CAT study recommendations, public input, steering committee and stakeholder direction. While the plan will ultimately address important items such as paving types, plant species, and bench placement, more complex ideas such as parking configuration, building replacement, roadway changes, use changes, and botanical themes will be explored first. As we review alternatives, please consider the following ideas.

(Lakeside Park as discussed in the MP refers to the park area bounded by Grand Ave. and the lake edge. Fairyland, the Rotary Nature Center, the Garden Center and other programs are located in this area.)

• Create a naturalized water edge zone along Bellevue NE from the Rotary Center. The main path would be setback from the edge appropriately. Lawn would be used sparingly near the street for sitting and walking. The proposal could require the relocation of the playground out of the intensively used refuge area.
• Create a new building to house the Arts & Science Center, a police substation, the LMI, and science classes for the Sailboat House. This would provide better facilities for existing programs that wish to expand. Two locations are proposed: an area within the current boathouse parking lot or an area across from the duck feeding pond near the existing maintenance yard. The existing Arts and Science Center location would become important waterfront open space for a demonstration wetland, or interpretive area. Pedestrian circulation would be improved through the currently constrained portions of sidewalk. The garages in the Sailboat House would be used for boat storage and aquatic recreational uses.
• Use native planting to expand an ecological zone into the park.
• Implement a demonstration wetland with a public art element and interpretive signage. Possible locations include the current Boathouse parking lot and the naturalized zone NE of the Rotary Center.
• Revitalize the fresh water pond at the refuge. Redesign should incorporate sustainable principles for wildlife and educational displays for visitors.

• Restore the Sailboat House to something similar to its original design and use. Enhance its aquatic recreational facilities and programs. The City recreational programs would utilize the classroom facilities of the proposed building or redeveloped facilities at the Sail Boat House.
• Enhance the open lawn areas between Fairyland and the Garden Center for informal, multi use recreation such as picnicking, ball catch, Frisbee, kite flying, etc. Adjustments to the Bellevue entry roadway would further enhance the lawn zone by creating a single area uninterrupted by street.
• Restore the front bowling green with an artificial turf system for ease of maintenance and competition superiority. View seating and new fencing would make the game a more publicly accessible and understood activity. The rear bowling/croquet court should be similarly addressed for club use and public visual access. The plan will explore the replacement of one front court with additional practice greens or bocce ball courts. Recreation - Fairyland
• The plan will address some perimeter aesthetic and access issues at Fairyland as the issues relate to the larger park. The plan will work with Fairyland to develop Lake Merritt park to support its mission of education and fun. Parking, visibility, and access are of critical importance to Fairyland's operation.
• As part of the circulation concept (alternative) of relocating the Bellevue entry off Grand, a drop off or staff parking area would be developed at the site of the current entry. This would provide Fairyland a major Grand Avenue frontage, a drop off, and accessible parking. Additional fairyland characters would be placed in front of the trees and slope to make the existing entry more visible.
• Also as part of the circulation concept alternative, a parking lot is considered for the entry area near Grand Avenue and Fairyland. This would better balance supply and demand of parking in the park. Parking elsewhere would be reduced accordingly.
• Service access and additional staff parking would be retained and improved on the West service road. The road could be made available exclusively for Fairyland and service use- restricting strolling to the lake edge path only. Other perimeter gates and staff parking that occurs in the planted areas by the fence would be restricted or eliminated.
• Explore the viability of scheduled Bellevue street closures for promenading and events. Vehicular thru circulation during such section closures would be accommodated by the loop road alternative. Timing of closures would be critical in order not to disrupt parking needs.

• Improve the visibility of botanical displays at the Garden Center and collections by extending theme groupings outside of the fenced perimeter. The fence itself would be improved to make it more park friendly while providing needed security.
• Other theme plantings will augment existing planting. Botanical displays will be organized by geography or bioregion. The theme of California appropriate, California native, and Bay Area native has been discussed. Circulation
• Different parking and roadway configurations help realize development scenarios of an Ecological or Recreational theme. For example a Bellevue road closure at the fresh water pond may enhance the solitude of a refuge. Similarly, a Bellevue roadway realignment would open up a larger area of lawn for multi use recreational activities. Keep in mind that the circulation alternatives are part of the larger themes.
• Elimination of part or all of the Sailboat House parking lot would open up important waterfront land for other uses. The lot is currently underutilized except during Sailboat House events. Parking spaces would be replaced in other locations along Bellevue. Boat launch access would be preserved.
• Realign Bellevue and park entrance from Grand in order to offer a safer and more beautiful entry to the Park. A major drop off and front area would be created for Fairyland at the current entry area.
• Create a parking area near Grand Ave. and the Fairyland entrance. This is proposed with the Bellevue realignment and a reduction of parking elsewhere in Lakeside Park. A concentrated parking area meets the local demand of Fairyland and moves parking to the perimeter of the park as opposed to interior areas.
• Redistribute parking along Bellevue to accommodate more or less cars as needed to maintain overall parking spaces. Parking could be added to both sides of the street in an angled parking format. Bulb outs could accommodate pedestrian crossings. New pedestrian paths would serve people who park along the street. New tree plantings would shelter the street and screen cars.
• Connect a loop road between segments of Bellevue. The loop would facilitate closure of Bellevue for scheduled closures. Parking along the loop would allow a reduction of spaces elsewhere in Lakeside Park. A major pedestrian promenade would still be provided for walking and jogging.

Architecture

The master plan addresses façade and exterior conditions in detail. Programmed uses are recommended to encourage a public use theme such as recreation, ecology, or botany.

• The Sailboat House would be renovated to reveal its historic character. Its entry would be formalized to engage Bellevue. Uses such as recreational programs, boat storage, and meetings would be accommodated. Classrooms for science instruction would be housed in the new center or alternatively accommodated within a rebuilt auxiliary facility.
• The Arts & Science Center would be housed in a newly constructed building located near its present site. The building would house a collection of instructional uses and has potential to include a Ranger/Police substation. Classroom activities currently located in the Sailboat House would be relocated to this facility. The Rotary Nature Center, Sailboat House, and Arts & Science Center would form a public learning "campus". Alternatively, if the existing Arts & Science Center building is retained, pedestrian circulation around the building will be improved.
• Restroom building facades will be renovated. The facility will be recommended for complete renovation.
• Non-Lakeside Park maintenance would be relocated out of the park and the existing maintenance shed would be removed. This eliminates the extensive truck traffic currently degrading the park. New maintenance uses would be smaller in scale, designed as a part of an educative display featuring sustainable maintenance practices. The area also becomes an entrance to the garden center. Tours, gardening classes, etc would meet here.
• Garden Center design concepts include the renovation of entries and detailed interior improvements. A patio could extend out from a renovated basement.
• The Bowling Center would be renovated to restore the historic features of the building. New storage areas may be programmed.
• The Rotary Science & Nature Center would be renovated to improve the restroom addition and outdoor site area.