On Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM, the City Council will be holding a public workshop to decide if a fenced-off commercial surf pool is a good fit for part of the shoreline public parkland next to the beach and Bay Trail at Alameda Point.
Alameda has been on the front lines of rising seas, but if this plan is approved, the city has lost its footing. “There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report,” concludes the staff report for the workshop. [emphasis added]
Instead of first advancing a climate resiliency plan, the staff report poses the proposed exclusive deal as a way to get a free park master plan paid for by a private surf park developer. The process would be led by the Recreation and Parks Department, rather than the Sustainability and Resilience Manager in the Planning Department.
“Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on the proposed ENA [Exclusive Negotiating Agreement] process for the proposed development of a Surf Park at Enterprise Park,” states the staff report. The proposed ENA is for a specific developer, Neptune Beach Surf Club, for a specific location.
No-bid contract on parkland not justified
Long-term dedication of public parkland for construction of a commercial enterprise should only happen after reviewing competitive proposals. To bypass a competitive bidding process for the use of parkland, the City would need to articulate to the community an overriding condition that warrants a no-bid agreement. To date, it has not.
Climate and sea level rise planning a higher priority
It is premature to commence a master planning process funded by the developer for other recreational amenities in this parkland before a sea level rise shoreline plan is adopted. According to City climate resiliency materials presented at last year’s climate fair at the REAP Center, a levee of some sort will be required along the Enterprise Park shoreline. In addition to the levee, the Master Infrastructure Plan for Alameda Point, as well as the City’s adaptive shoreline levee drawing, identifies a storm water detention basin to be located within the park footprint.
storm water detention basin to be located in park.
Unnecessary assumption of market risk
Compounding the circumvented bidding process is the risk the City would assume if the venture turns out to be unprofitable and the developer/operator leaves. The City could be left with a specialized pool that would require budgeting for extra staff to operate and an electric bill for the wave motors without charging market rates for use of the pool. The City should not become a silent partner in a speculative venture.
Environmental impacts could be problematic
There are currently unstudied environmental impacts, such as ambient noise from the wave-generating motors, splashing waves, and user activity that could negatively impact the nearby school and the nearby harbor seals that congregate on and around the harbor seal float. Harbor seals, for instance, communicate via low frequency sounds, and ongoing low-frequency industrial background noise could become a nuisance they would rather avoid by going somewhere else. The latter impact would only become apparent if the seals quit using the float after the surf pool has been in operation.
Finish De-Pave Park planning first
In 2020, the City Council decided that De-Pave Park was the top priority to be the next park to undergo a master planning process. In 2024, the City Council approved a master plan design for the park, but since then no funding has been secured to complete the engineering drawings or secure a multitude of regulatory permits, which are a prerequisite for construction. The Recreation and Parks Department should first focus on finishing what it started with De-Pave Park.
Commercial ventures better suited to commercial zones
If the City thinks that a surf pool is such a hot idea, there is plenty of vacant and blighted land zoned commercial that is waiting for investment at Alameda Point. Sell commercial property to a recreation developer rather than leasing public parkland.
The City is touting the developer’s proposal because it will pay for a park master plan. But that could easily be accomplished through a commercial property sale as a community benefit, or using existing funds in the Alameda Point Tidelands Fund for this state-owned tidelands parcel, and after the climate adaptation plan is approved.
Surf pool proposals belong in Economic Development Dept.
Hopefully, the City Council will direct the City Manager to not proceed with an ENA for a surf pool in Enterprise Park, and instead direct the City Manager to have the Base Reuse and Economic Development Department handle investment proposals for surf pools or other commercial recreation facilities.
Originally published in the Alameda Post.
You can voice your opinion at the meeting or by writing directly to the City Council CITYCOUNCIL-List@alamedaca.gov with the Subject line: Nov. 4 Neptune Beach ENA Workshop comment.
