South San Francisco, CA March 16, 2021 Press Release
Regional stormwater project is first of its kind in the Bay Area
FOR OVERVIEW OF THE FULL PROJECT CLICK HERE
Orange Memorial Park is undergoing a facelift and it will first start with what lies underneath. Starting March 22, 2021, residents will see construction fencing lining a portion of the park to get ready for Phase One of the Orange Memorial Improvement Project, which is the Regional Stormwater Capture Project, which will provide water quality improvements to meet the requirements of the San Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP). This project is designed to reduce discharges of PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), which have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects, and mercury to the San Francisco Bay.
“This regional project, which is spearheaded by our City, will provide multiple benefits in addition to improving water quality, including reducing localized flooding and reusing treated water for irrigation and groundwater recharge,” said South San Francisco Mayor Mark Addiego. “We’re excited that we are leading this effort as the first of its kind in the Bay Area, in hopes that this encourages others to do similar projects that will ultimately benefit our health and the environment.”
How it Works
Once water is diverted into the park, the system treats the water to remove trash, debris, and sediment. Pretreated water will then enter a pipe leading to an underground cistern located under the sports field for further treatment and disinfection so it can be used to meet irrigation and other non-potable demands, which includes irrigation to the park and along portions of Centennial Trail. When full, the cistern overflows into an infiltration gallery which will provide groundwater recharge benefits. Construction of a stormwater capture system will occur underneath a portion of the existing baseball and softball fields, and along the picnic area.
This project helps clean water flowing from our cities to the Bay. The reach of Colma Creek running through Orange Memorial Park drains over 6,500 acres of land from six different municipalities, including the City of South San Francisco. This regional stormwater capture project, the first of its kind in Northern California, diverts all dry-weather flow and the first flush of urban stormwater runoff from Colma Creek into an underground system integrated within the park. Overall, 200 million gallons of water, or 15 percent of the annual flow in Colma Creek, pass through the system for treatment and beneficial use.
The Phase One project is funded through a $15.5M cooperation implementation agreement with Caltrans to help satisfy its pollutant load reduction.
What About the Sports Fields?
Revitalizing the sports fields is Phase Two of the Orange Memorial Improvement Project, which will also include pavement restoration and other associated surface improvements. This multi-sport, all-weather field will include:
- Electronic scoreboards
- Synthetic turf
- Sports field lighting
- Enhanced planting areas
- Spectator areas
- One adult/teen baseball diamond with dugouts, bullpens, and batting cage
- One adult/teen softball diamond with dugouts, bullpens, and batting cage
- Two youth baseball diamonds with dugouts and bullpens
- Two adult soccer fields with portable goals
- Two junior soccer fields with portable goals
- Four youth soccer fields with portable goals
- Drinking fountains
“Determining what this multi-sport, all-weather field will look like was the result of many community meetings, where we heard from a variety of sports representatives in terms of how they envision the future of this field,” said Sharon Ranals, Parks and Recreation Director and Assistant City Manager.
“Having played on these fields in my youth, I know firsthand how valuable youth baseball is to our community. These field improvements and expansion will provide years of recreation and memories for generations to come,” added Vice Mayor Mark Nagales.
Will the Park be Closed and For How Long?
Phase One will require the closure of the park, south of Colma Creek, including the ballfields and the picnic and playground immediately south of the creek starting March 22, 2021, through Spring 2022. Work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- The Eucalyptus Shelter and the picnic area near the shelter will remain open.
- Park areas north of the creek will not be directly impacted by the project, including the Fernekes Building, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
Phase Two construction will begin in Spring 2022 and the sports fields will reopen in Spring 2023.
You can follow the progress of this project by visiting our dedicated webpage, as well as see conceptual designs of the sports field at www.ssf.net/OMPImprovements. Questions? Email CityInfo@ssf.net.