COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

DATE:

April 25, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 7, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

RENEWAL OF ROPES COURSE LICENSE AGREEMENT AT SAN BRUNO MOUNTAIN STATE AND COUNTY PARK

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution approving an agreement between the County of San Mateo and the Jefferson Union High School District to operate and maintain a ROPES COURSE in San Bruno Mountain State and County Park.

Background

Early in 1998, the Community Environmental Education Program of Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD) requested permission to design, construct, maintain, and operate a Ropes Course Program at San Bruno Mountain Park. Their intention was to strategically locate this facility for use by North County Public Schools.

The habitat manager for the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan reviewed the plan and recommended a site near the Day Camp, where there would not be adverse impact on the habitat of the park. This site was subsequently selected as the location for the Ropes Course. This location is within the portion of the park that is owned by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and operated by County Parks under a management agreement with the State.

The proposed Ropes Course was reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Division and the Parks and Recreation Commission and subsequently recommended to the Board of Supervisors for approval. It was found that this program would support the Parks and Recreation Division's commitment to establishing partnerships that promote education, recreation and environmental opportunities for youth in the County Parks.

On March 9, 1999, a resolution (#62614) was passed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors authorizing a license agreement between the County and JUHSD for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a Ropes Course at San Bruno Mountain Park. In 1999, JUHSD received funding from the Peninsula Community Foundation to construct the course. They completed the design and construction of the facility the same year. The JUHSD has been operating the Ropes Course consistently for the past three years without incident.

The term of the original License Agreement for the Ropes Course has now expired. It needs to be renewed to allow continued use of this area of San Bruno Mountain State and County Park for a Ropes Course.

Discussion

A Ropes Program can effect positive behavioral change and introduce the concept of peer leadership. The program is designed to build self-esteem, appreciate individuality, improve communications and cooperation, and form group bonds. The Ropes experience gives participants a chance to witness, experience, and safely practice behavior strategies that focus on goal setting, development of leadership skills, and non-violent conflict resolution skills.

Only two Ropes courses currently exist in San Mateo County, one in La Honda and this one in the North County. The operation of this facility at San Bruno Mountain allows North County students to participate in this valuable program who would otherwise be precluded due to the time and distance involved in going to La Honda. The field trip to San Bruno Mountain is also used as a guided introduction to experience San Bruno Mountain's environmental uniqueness and recreational opportunities.

The Ropes Course is included as a component of the Final Draft of the San Bruno Mountain Master Plan. The Master Plan has not yet been adopted because it is currently pending an environmental review. Once adopted, the Ropes Course is anticipated to become a permanent feature of the park operated under formal agreement with JUHSD.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation has authorized approval of the Ropes Course on their property, but only on a temporary basis because it is not identified in the currently adopted Master Plan. When the new Master Plan is adopted with the Ropes Course, the State Department of Parks and Recreation is anticipated to approve it as a permanent feature operating under a License Agreement. Therefore this License Agreement is allowing the use of the site as a temporary use.

The County Counsel's Office has reviewed and approved this License Agreement. This partnership and Agreement have been reviewed and recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Vision Alignment

The Ropes Course License Agreement keeps the commitment of preserving and providing people access to our natural environment and goal number 14: important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship. The License Agreement also keeps the commitment that leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life and goal number 25: residents express their support for regional, collaborative approaches to issues. The Ropes Course is helping to give North County students access to outdoor skill building recreational activities and supporting a joint school/park collaboration.

Fiscal Impact

None. JUHSD assumes all operational, maintenance and liability costs under this license agreement.