Community Feedback Survey Results

Between March and May of 2018, the design team focused its efforts on collecting information from the community and various end-user/stakeholder groups who would call the new Library, Parks & Recreation and Community Theater / Council Chamber their new home. In addition, digital platforms were leveraged to collect even more information with the goal of having South San Francisco residents share ideas and provide insight as to what to include for the new Library and Parks & Recreation facility. Responses collected from these outreach efforts are summarized in the bullet points listed below. 

Library Feedback:

• Increased children’s zone with story time area and adjacent children’s books
• After-school location and teen zone
• Quiet reading, working, and tutoring areas for adults
• Group study rooms
• Computer lab and informal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning
• One-stop-shop for the whole family
• Active and engaging for seniors
• Expanded early literacy center

Parks & Recreation Feedback:

• State-of-the-art dance studios and changing areas
• Modern large and small multi-purpose classrooms for fitness, music and technology
• Rentable large banquet space with kitchen and appropriate storage
• Event space for lectures and performances
• Teaching kitchen
• Rentable space
• Collaborative office space for staff
• Safe, single point of entry

Shared Space Feedback:

• Community Theater / Council Chambers
• Civic Presence
• Entry Lobby / Welcome Desk
• Inviting atmosphere
• Flexible multi-purpose performance space
• Securable dais
• Free Wi-Fi 
• Public Art
• Electronic Information Displays

Site Feedback:

• Play area for kids
• Centennial Trail connection
• Bike hub with fix-it station
• Community event space
• Outdoor Zumba/classes
• Accessible
• Adequate parking
• Lawn area
• Casual outdoor seating

In January of 2020, additional community outreach was conducted to obtain input and direction for the public park, which will serve as an amenity for all Library, Parks and Recreation users and neighboring residents alike. The park will include a playground, synthetic turf field, native planting garden, event plaza, walking paths and seating areas throughout. The project team developed two initial playground design concepts and solicited feedback. Both concepts included play zones for multiple age groups (6-24 months, 2-5 years, and 5-12 years) that feature inclusive play equipment, rubberized play surfacing, seating, shaded areas, and a secure perimeter fence.

Playground Concepts:

1. Technology / Innovation: This concept takes a futuristic and forward-thinking approach to play and features a bright colored pattern on the ground plane inspired by the DNA double helix and cell formations. The play equipment provides opportunities for individual and group play, sensory play, and early childhood and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) learning.
2. Nature / Adventure: This concept provides a nature-based play experience. This is visible in the ground pattern that mimics a river and surrounding hills and in the play equipment itself, which includes faux rocks and logs. The play experience focuses on imaginative play, movement, and balance, with ground-level equipment and climbing-based structures.

Responses collected from these outreach efforts are summarized in the bullet points listed below. 

Playground - Types of Play Feedback:

• Movement
• Inclusive
• Adventure
• Educational

Playground - Play Equipment Feedback:

• Climbing
• Slides
• Swings
• Balancing Elements

Playground - General Feedback:

• No sand
• Need plenty of seating for adults and good visibility
• Need shade / rain covering
• Needs to be accessible and secure
• Enclosed area for 2-5 year olds
• Need swings for 2-5 and 5-12 year olds
• Needs to be inclusive
• Integration of nature and technology