Blackberry Farm Golf Course Feasibility Study
Blackberry Farm Golf Course was constructed in 1962 and was privately owned until 1991, when the City of Cupertino purchased the property. The City has operated the golf course since that time. It is a 1,544 yard, 9-hole, par-29 course and lies within the Stevens Creek Corridor. For several years, portions of the course have needed repairs and improvements, including extensive improvements to the irrigation system.
In 2014, the City began working on a new Master Plan for the Stevens Creek Corridor (SCCMP). Its goal was to create an updated vision and plan for the public lands along Stevens Creek, from McClellan Road northward to Stevens Creek Boulevard. Among the sites addressed by this Master Plan was the Blackberry Farm Golf Course. City Council reviewed several options for the creek corridor in addition to a report regarding the Blackberry Farm Golf Course, prepared by National Golf Foundation (NGF) Consulting.
In 2016, a feasibility study for a draft preferred alternative for the golf course was presented to the City Council. The City Council chose not to take any action at that time, and the Stevens Creek Corridor Master Plan was put on hold until the completion of the Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. The Parks and Recreation System Master Plan (found here) was completed and adopted on February 18, 2020.
In May 2021, the City Council included a needs assessment to identify options for short and long-term improvements for the golf course in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 City Work Program. In June 2021, City Council further directs staff to study 1) conducting necessary repairs and minor improvements to the golf course and 2) discontinuing the use of the site as a golf course and restoring the site to natural habitat and trails.
During 2021 and 2022, the City contracted with consultants to analyze the two options, as directed by City Council. The two reports are posted here as "BBF GC repairs NGF Study" and "BBF Natural Habitat Feasibility Study MIG". The City's project team also conducted extensive community input and compiled the data in the "BBF_Survey Outreach Summary" report.
At the October 17th City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to proceed with minimal repairs to maintain the BBF Golf Course (Option 1). Staff will pursue: (a) An updated scope, schedule of work, and cost estimate relating to Option 1 (minimal repairs to the golf course); (b) Evaluate operational and fee rate changes that may improve revenue generation and cost recovery; (c) Investigate golf course and facility improvements that may increase revenue, further reduce water use, and to for opportunities to increase natural habitat areas where feasible; and (d) Explore the potential of leasing the golf course to an outside vendor to further reduce expenditures and increase City revenues.