Background

Springtown Open Space is located in a residential community in northeast Livermore. The City of Livermore began to convert the 85-acre property, formerly a nine-hole golf course, into an open space when the course was closed in 2015. An open space is unimproved land, meaning no development activity can take place, which preserves the property for recreational, conservation, and scenic uses only.  This property is protected as open space by voter approval under Measure FF in the 2016 general election and requires a vote by residents for any future change to the open space designation. 

The community engagement process began in 2016 and included four community workshops where 352 people and 138 emails offered feedback related to goals and objectives for the project site, amenities, features, and alternative plan preferences. A concept plan for Springtown Open Space was completed in 2017. 

• Springtown Open Space Concept Plan

Phase 1 Open Space Improvements

On April 26, 2023, and June 25, 2024, the City hosted community meetings to solicit feedback regarding implementing the first phase of improvements identified in the Concept Plan. The meetings were well-attended, with over 200 attendees at the April 2023 meeting and 70 at the June 2024 meeting. The majority of comments from the community expressed support for the proposed enhancements.

The first phase of improvements will include constructing a park at the southern end of the Springtown Open Space between the Springtown Library and Springtown Homeowner Association facilities. Around three to four acres in size, the park will include:

• an active play area,
• a large shade structure and smaller shade structures,
• picnic benches,
• a multipurpose field, and
• a community garden.

Project improvements will also include a disc golf course and shaded seating areas throughout the entire open space and tennis/pickleball courts at the neighboring Marlin Pound Park. Examples of the types of improvements may be viewed here: Springtown Open Space Conceptual Images Board. The figure below shows the proposed locations for improvements: 

Following the April 2023 Community Meeting, the project was added to the City's 2023-2028 Captial Improvement Plan. A design consultant was hired, and conceptual plans have been developed which are shown below. The environmental analysis for the project has also been initiated.  

The environmental document will be circulated for comments this summer before being presented to the to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval, along with the planning entitlement. Final design will then commence. The disc golf improvements are scheduled for construction in late 2024 with the park improvements and pickleball/tennis courts scheduled for construction in summer/fall 2025.  

For additional information, please contact the Engineering Division: engineering@livermoreca.gov or (925) 960-4500. Additional updates will be provided as the project progresses. You may also subscribe below to receive progress updates.

Feedback from April 26, 2023 Community Meeting

At the April 26, 2023 meeting, attendees raised several concerns related to open space maintenance, sightings of unsheltered individuals, traffic calming, and road conditions.  Below are actions that the City is taking or will soon take to address these concerns.