HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8055
City of Palo Alto (ID # 8055)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Special Orders of the Day Meeting Date: 5/1/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Byxbee Park Proclamation
Title: Proclamation Recognizing Progress on Byxbee Park
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Clerk
Attachments:
Attachment A: Proclamation Recognizing Progress on Byxbee Park
Proclamation
Byxbee Park
WHEREAS, Palo Alto residents, artists, contractors and staff from various city departments have worked
hard over many years to transform the City’s closed landfill into the 130 acre Byxbee Park in the Baylands; and
WHEREAS, John Fletcher Byxbee, the City’s first City Engineer, began planning for the Baylands in
1923, and City Council dedicated the area as parkland in 1965; and
WHEREAS, visionary Council Members, Commissioners and residents led the development of a plan to
convert the landfill into a series of hills, trails and lookouts for hikers, birders and bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, Palo Alto developed a Zero Waste Plan in 2005 and closed the landfill in 2011; and
WHEREAS, over 600,000 truckloads, totaling over one million cubic yards of clean soil, enough soil to
fill City Hall’s first six floors, was used to cap the refuse. The peak day saw 550 truckloads of soil arriving, or
one per minute; and
WHEREAS, Public Works’ Staff led the construction of methane, leachate and storm water control
systems, as well as the capping, grading, trail installation and planting of drought tolerant vegetation; and
WHEREAS, Community Services’ Staff led the community engagement, design and plant selection of
vegetative islands, as well as the installation of signs and benches; and
WHEREAS, Administrative Services’ Staff, the Attorney’s Office and other Departments’ Staff
contributed to the Byxbee effort with excellent financial, administrative and legal support; and
WHEREAS, Tou Bar Equipment Company, based in East Palo Alto worked tirelessly, and with great
dedication as the lead contractor for the City, to cap the landfill, install environmental protection systems and
create Byxbee Park.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, H. Gregory Scharff, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the City
Council do hereby gratefully acknowledge Public Work’s Zero Waste Team, Community Services’ Open Space
Team, Tou Bar Equipment Company, and all others who contributed to the creation of Palo Alto’s newest park,
Byxbee Park.
Presented: May 1, 2017
______________________________
H. Gregory Scharff
Mayor