Santa Clara County Supervisors vote to advance scoping of Vasona Lake accessibility project

In yet another positive step toward making water-based activities at the Los Gatos Vasona Lake accessible, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted last week to approve referral to the administration to report to the Board of Supervisors by December a cost estimate and plan for improving access.  This motion was put forth by Supervisors Ken Yeager and Mike Wasserman.

While this represents yet another hurdle that’s overcome, the real concern now becomes the length of time and cost it would take to make the work a reality.  This referral asks for an analysis of what it would take to equip Vasona with the necessary facilities to provide inclusive access to boating facilities for the disabled community.  The report back should include an analysis of costs, a possible plan and timeline for implementation of the project, and options for how the project could be funded (e.g. through County General Fund dollars or the Park Charter Fund).  As one of the few County parks located in the urban core, Vasona is the County’s busiest day-use park, serving 650,000 visitors per year.  It’s also one of the few County parks that offers opportunities for water activities.

The movement on this issue followed a meeting NorCal SCI co-founders Nick and Franklin had with Supervisor Yeager in September where they made the case for complete access at all Santa Clara County parks and lakes.  While this is a small, yet important step in that process, there is more heavy lifting required as it relates to the rest of the parks and lakes in the county.

Somewhat related to this initiative, the second annual Day on the Lake has been announced for Sat., June 8th which will be held at Vasona Lake.  The first meeting of the planning committee took place last week which involved Santa Clara Valley Medical Center representatives, NorCal SCI co-founders and Vasona Lake personnel. 

NorCal SCI is grateful to Supervisors Yeager and Wasserman for fast-tracking this issue through the Board’s busy agenda.  We will continue our efforts to meet with every supervisor as part of the broader discussion involving the overall accessibility at all County facilities.