Lafayette Considers Open Space Purchase

LAMORINDA, CA — The purchase of a 20-acre parcel for park and trail use will be considered Monday night by the Lafayette City Council.

The council will consider a joint arrangement with the Martinez-based John Muir Land Trust to buy the hilly parcel that lies between St. Mary's Road and Sweet Drive. The land would be owned by the city of Lafayette; the Land Trust has been negotiating with the landowner for the
purchase.

The overall estimated cost of acquisition is $1.8 million from a city parkland acquisition fund, and another $45,000 to $75,000 a year in maintenance and upkeep costs, according to a city report.

The city says the purchase would help the city meet several goals. Adding park acres would help the city fulfill requirements of several of its various plans, notably its general plan and open space plan, and would allow for trails to connect Stanley Middle School, Lafayette Elementary and Buckeye Fields.

The land is zoned for housing, but its hilly nature would allow development only on small parts of the land. The parcel is called "batwing" because of the shape of the parcel when seen from above.

The council meeting is set to start at 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center-Don Tatzin Community Hall at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

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— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock