The Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Parks District (RRRPD), established in the 1950’s, is the only independent special district within Santa Clara County and is almost completely within the City limits of Cupertino. The District facilities include a 25-yard pool, playground, barbecue area, and indoor hall. They offer an array of aquatics programs and facility rentals, and are funded through program revenues and property tax from special district residents. The special district is governed by its own elected five-member Board of Directors.
 
The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) prepared a Service Review of the RRRPD in 2013 which recommended further analysis of governance changes for the District. RRRPD has had a zero sphere of influence since 1982 indicating that the RRRPD should eventually not exist as an independent special district. LAFCO reaffirmed the District’s zero sphere of influence in its 2013 Service Review for the District. The 2013 RRRPD Service Review found that a significant service overlap contributes to “the duplication in services delivered within the boundaries of Cupertino [which] creates inherent inefficiencies and fragmented service delivery and impedes long-term planning for the delivery of recreation services to the residents of Cupertino.”
 
Following disputes and allegations from community members noting mismanagement and Board disfunction in 2019, LAFCO initiated a special study which further investigates the financial feasibility and process required to implement three proposed governance options.
 
On February 18, 2020, City Council received the Public Review Draft Report of LAFCO’s Special Study regarding the Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District (RRRPD). Council unanimously carried the motion to accept LAFCO’s recommendations for Options 1 and 2 (Option 1 would maintain RRRPD’s current governance structure as an independent special district and Option 2 would initiate an acquisition of RRRPD by the City of Cupertino).
 
After reviewing the current status of the item at their March 2, 2021 meeting, City Council unanimously carried the motion to delay the consideration of the acquisition to allow for engagement in long-term planning for aquatics facilities in Cupertino, and until RRRPD completes their strategic visioning and outreach and makes a formal recommendation.
 
Additional background information, documents, and a detailed timeline of the item can be found in the menu below. 
Timeline