CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The process to create a Highlands Park Master Plan continues as consultants draft a conceptual design utilizing city direction and public input.

Foothill Associates anticipates presenting a draft of the conceptual design to the Clearlake City Council during its regular meeting on Nov. 12.

Consultants met with city staff in August to initiate the process, incorporating into the conceptual draft details compiled through the Clearlake Vision Task Force and Lakeshore Corridor Plan.

Concepts discussed included redesign of the parking lot and added amenities such as horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts, beach access, shade structures, walking paths, picnic areas and other details such as restroom facilities, lighting, fencing, safety and security. Irrigation-friendly options for ground coverings are also included in the concept.

City Manager Greg Folsom said in August that public opinion would weigh heavily on the design of the park.

“We want the participation of the community. We want to know what the citizens want to put here. We want a usable park and we want to see people out here,”Folsom said.

An open house to solicit public comment on the draft design was held earlier this month. The interactive event provided the public with information describing the current state of the park and potential improvements.

Participants were asked to share ideas on what they thought the park should offer resulting in responses such as walking paths, serenity, comfort, activities, water amenities and other suggestions.

“The open house provided a good opportunity for citizens to provide input on what we are going to do with the park,” said Adeline Brown, city assistant planner.

Participants also were invited to identify their preferences among two conceptual designs that included improvements such as marina amenities, bus stop shelters and pedestrian paths.

A survey to gain public recommendations also was presented. The survey is currently available through the city's Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HighlandsPark .

Survey results will be collected through Oct. 28, officials said.

“The information you provide will be used to help in the future direction and development of a master plan for Highlands Park, so your input is very important to us,” said Jared Barnes, Foothill Associates consultant.

Barnes said the Nov. 12 presentation will include a review of the community's input to date, the preliminary master plan and estimated costs of proposed improvements. Input received at the meeting will be used to develop the final Highlands Park Master Plan.

The park, which is approximately 2.3 acres, is located on Lakeshore Drive, the city's main thoroughfare, near the center of town.

It is bounded by abandoned commercial buildings to the east, the lake to the south, a single family residence to the west, and Lakeshore Drive to the north.

Adjacent or nearby businesses include real estate offices, tire center, thrift store, appliance store, donut shop, an industrial fasteners company and motel accommodations.

The visual character of the park is defined by mature oak trees, which provide shade, a vantage point of Clear Lake, surrounding hills and Mount Konocti.

Park features include an unpaved parking lot, Americans with Disabilities Act access, picnic tables, benches, barbecue grills, portable toilet and a 1940s house that is being renovated to accommodate the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and Lake County Visitors' Center.

Along the water's edge, small beaches provide opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and wading, and hand boat launching.

Emergent aquatic plants along the shoreline provide vital fish and wildlife habitat and environmental benefits. An elevated viewing area is often used for recreational fishing.

Current maintenance of the park is minimal. According to Barnes, observations and comments from city residents indicate that the park is generally not well-used during the day.

Events, such as the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce's farmers' market, which was held throughout this past summer, Barnes said, has excellent potential to increase park visitation and usage on a regular basis.

Barnes cited the park as having good overall surveillance from the road. However, he said, high stone retaining walls near the foreshore and existing building obstruct views of the water's edge and the back of the park, concealing potential hiding places.

He said the adjacent abandoned buildings and lack of lighting within the park contribute to an unsafe feeling at night, though it is not intended for such use.

“With its central location along Lakeshore Drive and valued site assets, Highlands Park has latent potential to be a high quality public open space that functions as an activity hub, economic driver and cultural link for the community,” Barnes said.

Folsom said the process to develop the master plan is expected to take about six months and will require the approval of first the planning commission and then the city council.

The process will include additional opportunities for public comment, officials said.

Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .