Community Workshop for Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatics Complex
Dublin’s Parks and Community Service department hosted a community workshop tonight to provide a status on the progress of Phase IV of the Emerald Glen Master Plan (please click on the image above for an illustration). The Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatics Complex will be a Silver LEED certified facility with state of the art amenities for Dublin’s residents (i.e., it will be uber-green and the envy of the Tri-Valley).
The funding for Phase IV of the project will come from two primary sources – 1) $19.6M of development impact fees (from residential and commercial projects); and 2) earmarks in the General Fund. Because of the economic slowdown, Dublin is still striving to obtain the balance of the $19.6M of impact fees. However, the City still estimates that we should see the first part of Phase IV open to the public by summer 2012. So what will be included in the first part of Phase IV?
Residents attending the workshop had a bumper crop of feedback for the project’s architect (Dahlin Group). Two primary “must-haves” were identified during the discussions:
- Competitive Lap Pool and Teaching Pool – the dimensions of the competitive lap pool would need to be 50 meters by 25 yards with a deep end to ensure that Dublin could host swim meets, water polo events, and diving competitions.
- Indoor Gymnasium – hardwood flooring would allow for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and other activities that could be enjoyed year-round.
A few of the other items that residents noted they’d most like to have included a splash/play area, multi-purpose facility, child care, a fitness facility with a rock climbing wall, an elevated running track above the pool, and an entry desk and cafe area (ice cream for the kids and lattes for mom and dad). Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services Paul McCreary also noted that there will be 200 permanent parking spaces added as part of Phase IV. Presumably, the Recreation and Aquatics Complex would also need to have locker rooms, showers, and an administrative area.
The last phase of Emerald Glen Park is expected to include a Community Center, lake, and outdoor amphitheater. The timing of this facility will depend on the pace of development in eastern Dublin and the collection of community facility impact fees.
The next public workshop will be in approximately 10 weeks. Please check back on Around Dublin for the date/time and location.
8:15 AM on January 15th, 2009
This all sounds fantastic! We DEFINITELY need a track to complete the park.
The nearest track to our home is at Amador Valley High and it is scary. I went there once and there were a bunch of men that appeared to be working there, but were sitting around and I didn’t feel safe. After a couple of minutes, I left and completely abandoned the idea of running outdoors because I don’t want to run on concrete.
I am really looking forward to having a nearby track.
Thanks for the update!!
8:44 AM on January 15th, 2009
I think this is great addition for this community.. Very nice. Good Job Dublin….
12:29 PM on January 15th, 2009
To Kat,
FYI, there is a smaller track at Wells Middle School that is pretty safe as it is right in the middle of a neighborhood with lots of people around. Check it out until they build the new one at Emerald Green.
John L.
1:41 PM on January 15th, 2009
Great news, though I don’t know how they’re going to fit all that in the park. We live down the street from Emerald Glen Park and walk there almost every weekend. There’s so much potential, and YES, we badly need a track. Wells is too far and it would be great to have something closer. The lake and amphitheater also sound exciting.
5:49 PM on January 15th, 2009
We sorely need a community center on this side of Dublin. West Dublin now has two brand spanking new ones at The Senior Center and Shannon. Too bad the center will be part of Phase V with completion date undetermined.
We’ve been looking for an indoor banquet hall to book for a 1 Year Bday party for about 200 guests, unfortunately the only option we have over here in the East is Dublin Ranch Golf Club which charges quite a bit for their hall. Unless you live in Sorrento where they have a wonderful Center but only available to Residents there. The Terraces have one too but only holds 50 and again available to residents only.
Any suggestions anyone?
6:18 PM on January 15th, 2009
Hi Anonymous,
You can try The Bridges in San Ramon. They are also expensive, but one of their rooms has capacity for up to 300 guests. Here’s their link in case you’re interested: http://www.thebridgesgolf.com/events_pricing.cfm
I know that I am giving you info about a location outside of Dublin, but it’s a very nice place for a party.
You can also try Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton. They have a banquet facility there too.
Good luck!!
10:43 AM on January 16th, 2009
Hi anonymous January 15, 2009 5:18 PM. Thank you very much for the tips, we’ll check them out. Although as you indicated we’d very much prefer to hold the event in our hometown of Dublin as it would be nice to showcase our wonderful City to 200 mostly out of town guests. Maybe they’ll come back and buy a home here or spend money at our retails stores and restaurants after they get a chance to see what Dublin has to offer. But then we may not have a choice.
Much appreciate the tips.
12:27 PM on January 16th, 2009
Does anyone know why Emerald Glen park has been fenced off? The fence is closest to the Central Pkwy side.
Thanks!
2:16 PM on January 16th, 2009
Sounds like Dubline is funding a “public” Club Sport!
2:26 PM on January 16th, 2009
While the Emerald Glen facilities will never be as full-featured as those at Club Sports, I am so pleased that Dublin is taking another huge step towards finishing this gem of a park. The promise of this park was a main selling point when my husband and I bought in Summer Glen many years ago. We’re so excited.
Kate S.
5:14 PM on January 16th, 2009
Regarding the anonymous comment about needing a Track at Emerald Glen. You mentioned that you drove all the way across Pleasanton to use the Amador High School Track but then say that the one at Eleanor Wells Fallon Middle School is too far? I’m puzzled, do you live in Plesanton or Dublin?
Wells Middle School is just a few blocks from the Eastern, Northern most corner of Emerald Glen. Just run less lapse when you get there to account for the extra jog time to and from.
We have plenty of sports parks already, Civic Center, Part of Emerald Glen, Future Fallon Sports Park, School Campuses. We don’t have a whole lot of family oriented open space parks for casual use. Not necessarily just for organized sports leagues.
5:15 PM on January 16th, 2009
Regarding the anonymous comment about needing a Track at Emerald Glen. You mentioned that you drove all the way across Pleasanton to use the Amador High School Track but then say that the one at Eleanor Wells Fallon Middle School is too far? I’m puzzled, do you live in Plesanton or Dublin?
Wells Middle School is just a few blocks from the Eastern, Northern most corner of Emerald Glen. Just run less lapse when you get there to account for the extra jog time to and from.
We have plenty of sports parks already, Civic Center, Part of Emerald Glen, Future Fallon Sports Park, School Campuses. We don’t have a whole lot of family oriented open space parks for casual use. Not necessarily just for organized sports leagues.
6:51 PM on January 16th, 2009
Thank you John for the suggestion on an alternate place to run. Also, to Anonymous, thank you for your post.
I didn’t know that Wells was an option until you both suggested it.
I live in Dublin close to Emerald Park and it would be great if a track was built there. We really need one because that park is enjoyed by many and that would help complete it.
9:11 PM on January 16th, 2009
I was one of the residents at the workshop that expressed the desirability of an elevated indoor track. I pointed out that the track at Fallon Middle School is a dirt track and is not well suited for foul weather running. It is also unlighted and on school property behind high fences that are sometimes locked. The beauty of an elevated track is that it would require very little enlarging of the gymnasium or the pool enclosure, depending on which building it ended up in. It would also be perfect for year-round running, regardless of how dark, cold, wet, windy or hot it was outside. Elevated tracks are becoming quite popular for that very reason.
Also, in reference to the "fitness center", everyone in attendance seemed to agree that it should NOT duplicate the primary features of the various fitness clubs in the area (Club Sport, Express, 24-Hour, etc.) or the fitness centers that many new developments already have (Sorrento, Dublin Ranch Villages, Waterford, etc.). So we're not talking about dozens of aerobics and weight machines. Picture instead a gymnasium with two regulation basketball courts, adaptable for volleyball, badminton, and especially dodgeball, an area for stretching with perhaps some dumbbells & weighted exercise balls, and one or two separate rooms with hardwood floors for aerobics classes, dance classes, etc.
Note that the elevated track would be a wonderful & green alternative to having 20 expensive treadmills with video screens, which need frequent maintenance as well as replacement every few years.
I belong to Club Sport, I live in Sorrento with its amazing fitness center, and I'm less than two blocks from the Fallon Middle School track, but I still think a gymnasium and elevated track at Emerald Glen Park would be a great asset for Dublin.
Tim Hall
tiger650@comcast.net
9:23 PM on January 16th, 2009
Tim, I couldn’t agree with you more. An elevated track sounds fantastic! I had never heard of it until now.
I appreciate you bringing that up. Thank you. It would be wonderful if a track was included at Emerald Park. So many people would benefit from having one there. We would definitely use it. A treadmill is not for everyone. Some people prefer exercising outdoors and that would give them the best of both worlds.
10:26 AM on January 17th, 2009
Now an elevated indoor track makes sense as it won’t take as much space as an outdoor one, which means less space for families to enjoy the open space. Good thinking Tim on all your suggestions and thoughts about not duplicating the many gyms and sports clubs that will be or are already in existence nearby.
6:31 PM on January 17th, 2009
Here are some photos of other elevated indoor tracks. I had never heard of or seen these before, and I applaud Tim on this excellent idea. I’d use this several times per week if it were here. Take notice of the one photo with treadmills next to the track, which is another good idea. Dublin residents would absolutely love something like this and would be willing to pay membership for it.
http://www.uofazips.com/images/fieldhouse03.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wYb7PcsZn8E/R2fkbjO-ABI/AAAAAAAABig/rDhCtL6ErBI/121620071566.jpg
http://www2.mercer.edu/NR/rdonlyres/CD9EFDDF-F4AE-46E1-920C-B1A0DCAE3A2D/0/CRW_5315.jpg
6:40 PM on January 17th, 2009
Wow! The third picture of the elevated track is nice! It would be great to also include tinted windows around the entire track to block out the harmful UV rays. The windows will help give it somewhat of an outdoor feel and will allow folks to appreciate the surrounding views of the park.
7:41 PM on January 17th, 2009
I really like the 3rd option, as well. We’ll have to be sure and provide this feedback to the Dahlin Group during the next workshop in about 10 weeks.
Thx, JZ
9:36 PM on January 17th, 2009
Here's another photo, showing the elevated indoor track in the campus Activities & Recreation Center (ARC) at UC Davis:
http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/ARC/indoortrack.php
Notice that they reverse the running direction on the track every other day. I'm not sure why they do that. Maybe it has something to do with wear & tear on the track or leg muscle balance.
My youngest daughter is a junior at UC Davis and she loves to run on the indoor track, especially since she's a redhead and sunburns in about 10 minutes when running outdoors.
Tim Hall
tiger650@comcast.net
10:12 PM on January 17th, 2009
Very interesting Tim, thanks for posting. I noticed that one lap is not exactly a quarter mile, which is unavoidable when building a track in this manner. I think it’s a terrific idea and I’ll be there in 10 weeks to express my desire for something like this. I want to do sprint intervals but can’t do them this time of year. Having an indoor track would make it possible, and Emerald Glen is just a short walk from where we live. Come on 2012, hurry up.