The city will host a grand opening celebration Saturday for the Bernal Community Park.
Phase 1, of what will one day be Pleasanton’s largest park at 50 acres, included the construction of two lighted baseball fields, one unlit field, paved parking for 105 vehicles, a public restroom, a field supply and storage building, landscaping and irrigation, lighted pathways and children’s play area on 13.2 acres.
The baseball diamonds are expected to accommodate a growing need in Pleasanton with the growing popularity of PONY baseball.
The project includes five total phases that are expected to be completed over the next two decades. Park elements will be interconnected with the outlying Bernal property “grand park” through a coordinated system of mounded landforms, plant communities, a dog park, 1,000-seat amphitheater, picnic grounds, trails and public art. A multi-use program of active sports facilities and activities will remain flexible in order to respond to changing community recreational needs over time.
The Bernal property is a 318-acre site that was given to the city free of charge by Greenbriar Homes in 2000. It was part of the 510-acre Bernal property that Greenbriar and associates purchased eight years ago for $126 million from the property’s longtime owner, the city of San Francisco.
The Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail which circumvents the park, has been paved and landscaped and will be officially dedicated in October.
Festivities, which are open to all residents, are scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the park, off Valley Avenue between Bernal and Case avenues. There will be an official dedication ceremony, inflatable games for kids, refreshments and exhibition ball games. Carpooling is encouraged because parking is limited. For more information, call the Parks and Community Services Department at 931-5340.
–Janet Pelletier
