4/28/25
From Mark’s post about cricket fields:
Jan 8, 2024 – Council discusses engaging with Halff and Associates to develop park plans for Samuel Farm North at a cost of $62,700. (49 min mark). Freeman and Eldridge outline concerns spending any money on land Sunnyvale doesn’t own, any improvements to Samuel Farm, by law, have to be funded in cash. Vote for Samuel farm professional services agreement passes 4-2 (Eldridge and Freeman voted no) [https://sunnyvaletx.new.swagit.com/videos/293680](https://l.facebook.com/l.php…]-R&c[0]=AT0xR1z99isUMb_14aBLgD5bEjgqlbnjFO92GnsoTdT3MQ3aXafP1GAPgEfkeiBK-3sTnlpGC-dLaEjenqtLeJ6jr6HqydEiF-VUstVpBpR9dPU7GFB0G5aLYcfvh0jFJSMGulMJc5j9on1aAk3uQsgS1XsIFwxyflTCYjeY)
The meeting really starts talking about hiring Halff for the Samuell Farm development plan around the 32:38 minute:second mark (link here), where the proposal and its background is covered. Halff & Associates had helped with the design of Sunnyvale’s Rails to Trails project and (successfully) applying for grant funding to help cover the town’s costs. This history of successfully working with the town seems to have been a factor in considering hiring them for both Samuell and Jobson park plans.
At 36:25, the town manager (Jeff Jones) presenting the proposal notes that this is just to start the planning process, “we have no preconceived notions, we do have our existing park master plan that does give us some guidance, albeit that document is going on close to four years old now.”
At 37:30, Mayor Saji George makes an opening comment for the town discussion, noting both the fear & concern of neighbors about light, traffic, parking, etc. along with the pressing need for new fields. He notes the importance of the process, of trying to “cancel out bias” by having an independent third party come up with the proposals, and considering all perspectives.
At 40:18, town manager notes that the consultants will take the items from the previous park master plan, but will come to the meetings for public input “with a blank slate” subject to change based on public input.
Finally, cricket is briefly mentioned: At 40:45, in response to a resident’s question about what Halff & Associates would be considering in their plan, Mayor George says [clarification mine] “I remember when we talked about the Parks Master plan, there were discussions about cricket field, softball field, volleyball, trails, butterfly garden, dog park, again–what at the end going to happen–I don’t know the answer. There are some thoughts that went into it for each park, but again that is the sausage [i.e., the plan] we discussed but what the sausage is going to be, that’s going to be based on input from citizens.”
…That’s it… As far as I can tell from the whole meeting, this is the one time cricket is mentioned, and it’s in a long list of different projects. And Mayor George is telling the resident that the community will decide the parks, not the Council and not the 4B board. After such a long post by Mark I had expected to find some shred of a story that Paul could point to, but this seems beyond grasping at straws, and more like a weird fantasy.
As public comments for the vote on hiring Halff continue, there are then multiple residents near Jobson Park who voice some sincere concerns about lighting, parking, traffic, and crime or safety issues near that park. It’s clear that some are in support of developing a different, larger park space instead of Jobson.
Ultimately, Council Members Freeman and Eldridge both disagreed with spending any money on Samuell Farm North park, because we don’t own the land. The relevant comments there begin at 51:20, with Council Member Freeman who gives some of the useful context: the Parks Master Plan has always been a kind of dream that’s too expensive.
