Appendices:
A. Orchard Heritage Park Site Plan  .pdf file
B. Orchard Maintenance Agreement
C. O.H.P.I.E. Maintenance Agreement
D. S.H.S. Agreement (Intentionally Omitted. The maintenance/use agreement is in the process of being developed.)

This Master Plan is the first undertaken for one specific park in Sunnyvale. This effort has been initiated as the number of agricultural acres has diminished and the need to preserve our agricultural heritage while balancing community recreation needs has grown more prominent. Orchard Heritage Park contains the last small working Apricot Orchard in Sunnyvale. Shrinking open space and increasing demands for recreational space have required that the community work together creating this plan for today and for the future.

It is important to acknowledge members of the community that, working together with staff, have given of their time and resources to help make this plan complete.

• The members of Sunnyvale City Council - for direction and energy in providing the community exciting additions to the open space and park system and new opportunities for leisure and recreation activities.

Fred Fowler,	Mayor
Julia Miller,	Vice Mayor
Manuel Valerio,	Council Member
Patricia Vorreiter,	Council Member
Jack Walker,	Council Member
Tim Risch,	Council Member
John Howe,	Council Member

• The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission – for conducting and attending public meetings; reviewing information and providing essential recommendations that have strengthened this plan.

  Joe Manfrey,	Chair
  Jeffrey Arnett,	Vice Chair
  Robyn Nixon,	Commissioner
  Raymond Pole,	Commissioner
  VACANT,	Commissioner

• The near neighbors of Orchard Heritage Park – for giving of their time and creativity, providing input regarding the current Orchard, Museum, Barn and Gardens, and what the future may hold for Orchard Heritage Park.

• The Sunnyvale Historical Society, its President, Jan Camp and essential support from member Laura Babcock – for providing input and energy throughout the steps culminating in construction of the Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit (OHPIE), for energizing the community to the need for a Heritage Museum and commitment to join with the City in bringing one to this site and for conducting research for the "History" portion of this plan found in Section II.

• Mr. C. J. "Charlie" Olson – our Orchardist who provided essential input throughout the planning and development of Orchard Heritage Park projects and provided much needed initiative for action. Without Charlie’s efforts these many years, Sunnyvale would not likely have a working fruit orchard to preserve.

• The Sunnyvale Garden Club, its President Ms. Nellie Durrand who provided collaborative ideas and assistance in site evaluations and plans for both community gardens and garden renovations at Heritage Center.

This Master Plan for Orchard Heritage Park is a working document to provide the community, its citizens and partners a guideline for operations, maintenance and development of the park. It is provided in collaboration with members of the community whose expressed interest is to preserve the agricultural and historical heritage of the City of Sunnyvale. It has been a privilege for our staff to work with the community on this exciting project and we are committed to managing the park and its various facilities in accordance with this plan, returning to the community for input as the future years unfold.

Robert A. Walker,
Director of Parks and Recreation

Orchard Heritage Park is located at 550 East Remington Drive. Also located at this 31-acre parcel are the Community Center and Ballroom; Creative Arts and Theater Center; the Sports Center and Gymnasium; and the Arboretum and Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit (OPHIE). Soon the Sunnyvale Senior Center will also share this location with its grand opening scheduled for summer of 2003. Please see Appendix A., Site Plans.

A 1965 Bond Issue funded the City purchase of a portion of this site from the Vidovitch family, a well-known farming family in the valley. Additional land was secured through a land swap with the Cupertino Elementary School District to complete the acreage seen today.

Orchard Heritage Park occupies the southern-most portion of the Community Center property. The Park is approximately 10 acres in size and bordered to the south by Cresent Avenue, to the west by Manet Drive and to the east by Michelango Drive.

When this land was purchased the entire area of Sunnyvale was planted in fruit trees and the streets had not yet been constructed. The City was able to plan the site and its surrounding residential and business developments allowing ample opportunities for public involvement in the planning processes.

The Community Center was constructed first and was dedicated in a public ceremony on March 17, 1973. The condition of the ten-acre portion, planted in Apricots had fallen into a state of decline by that time and the City sought an Orchardist that could maintain the Apricot trees until a date that the final use of this site could be determined.

In 1977 the City secured an Orchard Maintenance Agreement with Mr. C. J. "Charlie" Olson to maintain the ten-acre orchard. Since that date Mr. Olson has been responsible for tree care, removal/replacement of approximately 400 of the 800 fruit trees, pruning, spraying and fruit picking/processing. The City provides irrigation water and Mr. Olson retains the fruit value. Please see Appendix B, Orchard Maintenance Agreement. The current Agreement expires December 15, 2002 and staff is working with the Orchardist to renew it prior to that date. Copies of the Agreement are available from the Department of Parks and Recreation.

In consideration of Report to Council 92-604, Sunnyvale City Council designated the ten-acre orchard as a Special Use Site in accordance with the Open Space Sub-Element of the Sunnyvale General Plan. City Council named the site Orchard Heritage Park with intent to maintain this site as a working orchard for as long a time period as possible. The Parks and Recreation Department installed the first signs officially noting Orchard Heritage Park at the southwest and southeast corners of the orchard (Michelangelo Drive and Manet Drive intersections with Cresent Avenue). At this time, and again in 1998, the City Council approved five-year extensions of the orchard maintenance agreement between the City and C. J. Olson. The current term of the Agreement ends December 15, 2002.

In 1999 City Council reviewed Report to Council 99-237. This report noted that the Orchardist had sold his nearby orchard properties and no longer had a barn to store equipment or materials necessary to maintain Orchard Heritage Park. Staff recommended and Council approved conceptual plans to construct a storage barn facility at Orchard Heritage Park. The barn was planned to accommodate tractors, other orchard equipment and materials to facilitate orchard maintenance, thereby, extending the potential lifeline of the working orchard. A capital project for this purpose was included in the fiscal year 2000-01 Sunnyvale Resource Allocation Plan.

Acting on Report to Council 00-313, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement between the City and the Sunnyvale Historical Society (SHS) for the development of interpretive exhibits at Orchard Heritage Park. Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibits was constructed by the Society and provides the community a photo and written display of the agriculture-oriented life in Sunnyvale’s early years.

In May 2002, City Council reviewed Report to Council 02-151 and approved the concept of partnership with the Sunnyvale Historical Society to provide a Historical Museum at the site as a part of Orchard Heritage Park.

As detailed in report to Council 02-218, presented on June 25, 2002, City Council gratefully accepted from Ms. Clara Bianchi the donation of a 1918 Redwood Barn with added funding for its relocation and provision for its future maintenance. Ms. Bianchi donated this barn to Sunnyvale on behalf of her family both to preserve the Barn and to make note of the contributions of Bianchi Brothers Farms, Domenic Bianchi and Santino Bianchi to the community. The Bianchi family has farmed in this valley for over 100 years.

Creation of a Master Plan for the management, operation and development of Orchard Heritage Park, with public input and in conjunction with the Sunnyvale Historical Society, is supported in the City’s General Plan as follows.

As noted above the City’s General Plan contains goals that are wide in scope. These goals provide information to citizens and community groups as well as assurance that those areas and issues that are of greatest concern will be addressed.

More specific Action Statements have been developed in conjunction with these goals to provide staff detailed direction in managing Orchard Heritage Park. Should Council approve this Master Plan, the following Action Statements would be incorporated into the City’s Open Space Sub-Element:

1. Manage Orchard Heritage Park and its resources so as to preserve the agricultural heritage of the City of Sunnyvale.

2. Maintain a working fruit orchard throughout the largest portion of Orchard Heritage Park for as long a time period as practical within the resources made available by the City. Provide public access to Orchard Heritage Park to the greatest extent possible while meeting the goal of maintaining a working fruit orchard at the park.

3. Support and pursue cooperative agreements with community groups and persons to enable operation of Orchard Heritage Park in a cost-effective manner consistent with outcomes approved by the City Council.

4. Encourage the use of Orchard Heritage Park in educational activities of schools that serve Sunnyvale students first, and secondarily to the schools that serve students of surrounding communities.

5. Assist the Sunnyvale Historical Society per written agreements, and to the greatest extent practical, in developing a Heritage Museum facility at Orchard Heritage Park consistent with City Council direction.

6. Assist the Orchardist per written agreements, and to the greatest extent practical, in orchard operations at Orchard Heritage Park. This includes the pending construction of the Orchard Barn to store farm related machinery, materials and equipment.

7. Pursue all available avenues to secure alternate Orchardist(s) to continue the working orchard for as long a time period as possible.

8. Provide public input opportunities in determining future uses of the park should it become impractical to maintain the largest portion of the park as a working fruit orchard. This process shall include public discussion, review of reports/plans by the Sunnyvale Parks & Recreation Commission and their recommendations, if any, to the City Council.

Orchard Heritage Park contains the following resources and facilities.

Fruit Orchard
The Orchard consists of approximately 800 Apricot trees that vary in age from less than one year old to nearly twenty-five years of age. Additionally, the orchard has a simple irrigation system, two park signs (see below) and several entrance areas. In the future, portions of this area could also be used to display tractor implements, wagons and agricultural artifacts.

Orchard Barn
The Orchard Barn has been approved by the City Council and will be used on a daily basis by the Orchardist to house equipment and materials related to operations of the orchard. The barn originally constructed in 1918, was purchased along with orchard properties by the Bianchi family; and, was donated to the City by Ms. Clara Bianchi in 2002.

Should the barn someday cease to be used for this purpose, staff would explore its potential uses including, but not limited to:

• Agriculture interpretive exhibits
• Museum Storage
• Recreation Services Storage
• Recreation or Leisure Services

Maintenance and repairs of the Barn are the ongoing responsibility of the Superintendent of Facilities Management in accordance with written agreements.

Sunnyvale Heritage Center (formerly the "Arboretum")
Sunnyvale Heritage Center is the name for the buildings, gardens and structures at the north end of Orchard Heritage Park. This area was previously named the Arboretum, but has changed in use and grown in significance to the community over the years. It is not, by definition, an Arboretum; that is, a place where an extensive collection of woody plants are cultivated for scientific, educational, and ornamental purposes. Such is not the case as no collection exists and this area therefore, is not currently an Arboretum.

This is home to the Sunnyvale Garden Club whose members are responsible for planting and maintenance of several of the gardens while Parks Division staff maintain the larger portion of the site. The Sunnyvale Historical Society has completed one major project here (OHPIE) and looks forward to more (see below). A significant piece of public art (The Murphy Street Scene) has been placed here along with various items of historical, agricultural significance including a tractor with tractor implements and an orchard wagon. Many important public events have been held here including State of the City Events, Holiday Celebrations and Special Events. The public also hosts many events such as weddings and birthday parties with reservations that are provided through Leisure Services staff of the Parks and Recreation Department. Within this Master Plan, staff proposes changing the name of this area from "Arboretum" to "Sunnyvale Heritage Center".

Sunnyvale Heritage Center contains the following components:

The Parks Division is responsible for the care and replacement of signs currently placed at Orchard Heritage Park. Additional signage may be placed as necessary throughout the Park with the approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation. Such additional signage will be maintained either by the Parks Division or by another entity in accordance with written agreements.

During public meetings prior to and during completion of this Master Plan, residents have requested consideration of community garden plots at park and open space sites. Therefore, gardens are planned for the park. They will be managed administratively by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Their specific location within Orchard Heritage Park has not been determined. They may be available for members of the community that do not have space available to grow vegetable and/or flower plants at their homes. However, senior gardens will likely have priority for use. These gardens will provide opportunities for senior residents to continue gardening as they move to the new Senior Center at the adjacent Community Center (garden plots have been available to senior gardeners for many years at the previous Senior Center). Actual space available for gardening will be determined such that gardening activities will not interfere with orchard operations.

Note:

The locations of each of the above resources and facilities of Orchard Heritage Park (except gardens) are noted on site plans in Appendix A.

Management of Orchard Heritage Park, and Sunnyvale Heritage Center within the Park, shall be provided by the Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with various user groups, (e.g., Sunnyvale Historical Society, the Orchardist, and other community groups of Sunnyvale). All areas of the Park shall be managed in accordance with City Goals, Policies and Action Statements as noted above and additionally as City Council may approve in the future.

Responsibility and accountability for management of Orchard Heritage Park will be provided as follows.

The Superintendent of Parks shall have responsibility for maintenance and management of the Park as a whole. The Superintendent shall manage related operating and capital budgets and direct regular maintenance activities and special projects for the Park.

In accordance with the current Orchard Maintenance Agreement, the Orchardist shall have responsibility for the care and maintenance of the fruit orchard. The Orchardist shall ensure the safe keeping of the fruit trees and manage the site to provide the best possibility for sustaining a working orchard at this site.

The Superintendent of Parks shall manage the grounds and structures of Sunnyvale Heritage Center, while the Superintendent of Cultural Arts shall provide for Public art located here and the Superintendent of Facilities Management shall repair and maintain the buildings of the Center.

All reservations and registration for any Parks and Recreation program shall be provided through staff of the Leisure Services, Reservations and Registration located at the Community Center.

As available, an area of Orchard Heritage Park shall be provided for community gardens. Flowers and/or vegetables may be grown by gardeners that have registered and provided a gardener’s fee. Priority of use, numbers of plots available and gardener’s fees shall be determined administratively by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Garden plots shall be of size and shape to make the best use of available space. The total number of gardens and space provided for gardening shall be limited to ensure that gardens do not interfere with day to day operations of the fruit orchard or facilities of Orchard Heritage Park. Care of the garden plots will be the responsibility of the gardeners. Water will be provided, however all plant materials, fertilizers and other garden products must be provided by the gardeners. One set of simple garden tools (hoe, rake, shovel, etc.) will be provided by the City and stored on site. Additional and/or special tools, owned by gardeners may not be stored on site.

A primary goal of the management of Orchard Heritage Park is the preservation of the ten-acre working Orchard for as long a time period as possible. Currently the orchard is made up of Apricot trees; however, many other types of fruit and nut trees would also be suitable at this location. As market prices fluctuate and demand for fruit changes, farmers occasionally remove one crop for different, more favorable produce. Therefore, the current Apricot trees could give way to Cherry, Plum, Almond or other trees at some future date in support of efforts to keep a working orchard in place. The City will maintain an orchard at this site within the resources available and with direction of the Sunnyvale City Council. Currently the orchard has been managed through a long-term Orchard Maintenance Agreement with an Orchardist to remove/plant trees, water, spray, prune and pick/process the fruit of the trees.

This Agreement is a practical solution to the dilemma that the City would face should the need arise to provide for these tasks with City employed staff. In simple terms, the life of an orchard requires continuous care on a day to day basis. Spraying the trees and picking/processing the fruit must be done without concern for days of the week and/or times of day. Work in the orchard can be very labor intensive for portions of the seasons requiring many transient workers for pruning trees and picking fruit at just the right moment.

On the other hand, City work classifications lend themselves to a specific weekly schedule with predictable work hours, overtime and holidays. Managers would be hard pressed, in the absence of an agreement with an Orchardist, to provide for the continuing labor needs of the working orchard. Additionally, an Orchardist acquires knowledge and becomes successful through many years (decades) of managing orchards. Parks and open space managers also have special knowledge of horticulture and property management. However, these managers would not be adequately prepared to protect the trees and orchard in the absence of an Orchardist and Orchard Maintenance Agreement.

Therefore, the Parks and Recreation Department will endeavor, as a first step in orchard preservation, to maintain continuous, long term agreements with experienced and successful Orchardist(s) for the orchard at Orchard Heritage Park.

Currently the working orchard is managed through an Orchard Maintenance Agreement with Orchardist, Mr. C. J. "Charlie" Olson. This agreement was first negotiated with Mr. Olson in 1977 and has been renegotiated and renewed throughout the years to date. Please see Appendix B., for details of this Agreement. This Agreement expires December 15, 2002 and staff is working with the Orchardist to renew it prior to that date. Copies of the Agreement are available from the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Superintendent of Parks is liaison to the Orchardist and coordinates certain activities that support the Agreement. These activities include, but are not limited to:

• Customer service and customer concern response;

• Placement and maintenance of the Orchard Heritage Park signs;

• Provide payment for orchard water and utilities;

• Provide weed control at the perimeter of the property where the orchard and adjacent sidewalks meet;

• Scheduling and removal of the green waste from orchard pruning; and,

• Maintenance of the backflow device and irrigation main line to the orchard.

Orchard Heritage Park has seen many changes over the past decades. New projects (OHPIE) have been constructed recently and artifacts (tractor, wagon and implements) have been placed as well as a significant piece of public art (Murphy Street Scene). The coming years will see the addition of two more significant structures as first the Orchard Barn, and then the Heritage Museum are constructed. It is important to plan for projects regardless of the size or type proposed. The two main types of future projects and their related planning procedures follow.

Throughout the life of a park or facility, it is necessary to repair, replace and/or update portions of facilities. In Sunnyvale, these types of projects are provided through the Infrastructure Fund with City Council approval and are directly managed by the Parks and Recreation Department or indirectly with the assistance of the Department of Public Works. These projects tend not to alter the uses of facilities or structures, but provide the necessary replacement of roofs, renovation of park areas, replacement of trees or gardens, irrigation systems, walkways, etc. These projects are generally conducted without great impact to the community and with written notice limited to those who use the facility or park. Occasionally, this type of project may require a Building Permit and result in public posting and/or written notice of an intended project. It is the intention of the Parks and Recreation Department to continue to complete this type of project in this manner.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects tend to be those that provide new uses to existing facilities and/or new structures or facilities to the community. This type of project requires approval of City Council and the involvement and input of neighbors, the public, stakeholders such as co-sponsored groups and partners, Boards and Commissions and staff.

Previous to and during the completion of this Master Plan, staff received strong support from near-neighbors and stakeholders for the construction of an Orchard Barn, a Heritage Museum and community flower and/or vegetable gardens at Orchard Heritage Park. During these public input opportunities there also was very strong support for maintaining the working orchard for as long a time period as possible. Many neighbors stated that the orchard ought always to be on this site regardless of costs or limitations.

When the question was posed "What ought we do in the future if we can no longer provide and care for a working orchard?" neighbors and stakeholders favored a passive rather than an active open space. Consistently, neighbors preferred limiting the size and type of facilities such that very large groups and/or team sports activities would not be placed at this site. These same groups felt that the Park ought to retain its heritage focus even if it can not retain a working orchard. Significant changes to Orchard Heritage Park, its resources and facilities, in the form of new CIP projects will not occur without prior public input and involvement.

It is the intention of the Parks and Recreation Department to search out input from all interested parties and provide significant opportunities for public input in the future as CIP projects are planned and before project decisions are presented to City Council for consideration and further public input.

Return to RTC# 02-369