Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan

P a g e | 22 A P P E N D I X B Recommendations The City of Pleasanton should work to develop a Sustainability Management System through the existing Sustainability Manager currently working out of Operations, to outline and assist with prioritization of sustainable practices in construction, operations and/or maintenance activities. The system should outline tracking procedures that will report both successes and shortcomings in reaching established goals. The development of a sustainable performance system by the department will help to present a strategy to engage stakeholders in the process of identifying and implementing sustainability improvements in operations. Further, development and use of a sustainable performance system will provide the department with important data necessary to communicate the success of their sustainability efforts. City of Pleasanton is encouraged to conduct assessments, identify opportunities and establish objectives or targets for specific activities. The Department has already initiated some sustainability practices to improve operations and the department is encouraged to monitor performance of a sustainability initiative and communicate progress to staff and elected officials. Overtime these measures will help the City to institute cultural changes and continual improvement relative to sustainability objectives and goals. In the development of the Sustainability Management System it is important to look beyond the traditional environmental components and to consider and integrate concepts of economics and social responsibility. Short-term Recommendations  Recognize and document sustainability efforts already in use and/or recently developed.  While a “Park Green Team” already exists in Operations, this should be expanded to include other park and recreational functions to fully promote sustainability throughout the City.  Move to install BigBelly solar compactors to include recycling program for pilot parks.  Analyze feasibility and implement solar energy sources in park designs for exterior lighting, parking lots, restrooms, etc.  Implement small-scale renewable energy demonstration projects and/or solar lighting projects.  Reduce resource consumption. Set benchmark reduction levels and monitor progress. Work is already underway in reduction of water usage.  Develop a native plant policy that requires 80% native (ecoregion) in all new and remodeled landscaping.  Develop a master plan for pilot ornamental “demonstration landscape” project as a tool to educate the public on how to landscape using native and low-water use plants.