Residents in Dublin, CA are excited about the new Schaefer Ranch Park in the city’s western hills. Some have been perplexed by the apparent delay in the grand opening of the majestic park. “We are still awaiting our park here at Schaefer Ranch,” said Sandra P. of Dublin. “Its been built for months, since June, and we were told it would be open in September. Well, September is here and almost gone. There is no notice on the fences at the park either. Do you know what on earth the city is doing…making us wait for the park to open?”
In response to Sandra’s Dublin Public Information Officer Jacqui Diaz confirmed that the park’s grand opening is right around the corner. “The maintenance period for Schaefer was extended from early September, to allow more time for plant and turf establishment,” explained Diaz.” Staff has been visiting weekly to check on the progress and coordinate with the developer as needed. Staff is looking to this week or next for another walkthrough in order to establish the final steps for a tentative opening date. We are very excited about this park opening soon for everyone. It’s getting very close, but we do want to make sure everything is growing and establishing well.”
The 10.6-acre site will feature 6.3 acres of developed parkland with open meadow, playgrounds, basketball court, tennis court, horseshoe pit, covered picnic area, game tables, pathways, and a restroom building. The park site is at a high point in Dublin’s western hills with spectacular views of the Tri-Valley to the east and the rolling hills of the ridge line to the south. The future park is bordered by Dublin Boulevard to the south, Schaefer Heights Road to the west, and Kelly Canyon Drive to the north.
The new Schaefer Ranch development would not be possible without Measure M. Led by then Dublin Mayor Janet Lockhart and former Dublin Planning Commissioner Morgan King, Measure M was the compromise between the West Dublin political machine and the developers of the land that ultimately became Schaefer Ranch. That compromise provided a huge windfall for the owners of the Schaefer Ranch property at the expense of the Nielsen family, as anti-development and anti-farming restrictions were placed on the Nielsens’ west Dublin holdings. Members of the Nielsen family were among of the early ranchers in Dublin to purchase large tracts of land before the post-World War II suburban population boom in the East Bay.
Although the Nielsen family’s parcel was rendered worthless by Measure M, the Nielsen name was not among the suggestions. Also missing from consideration were the names of Janet Lockhart and Morgan King, the two Dublin politicians responsible for Measure M.
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