HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8376
City of Palo Alto (ID # 8376)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 9/11/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Adoption of Parks Master Plan and Mitigated Negative
Declaration
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration,
Including the Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Parks,
Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, and Adoption of the Parks,
Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Community Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration, including the
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Parks, Trails, Natural Open
Space and Recreation Master Plan, and
2. Adopt the Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan.
Executive Summary
This report presents the Final Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master
Plan, Initial Study/Mitigated Declaration, and responds to Council’s comments.
Access to parks, open space and recreation opportunities are invaluable to a healthy
city; improving a community’s health, social connections, environmental stewardship,
and providing economic benefits, among other things. A city that invests in its parks,
recreation facilities and related programs ensures its assets keep pace with changing
populations and community needs, and also invests in the quality of life of its residents.
The existing network of Palo Alto’s parks, recreation facilities and programs provide an
array of opportunities for Palo Alto residents, workers and visitors to connect with
nature, improve their physical and mental health, make social connections and advance
their personal growth. As we look to the future Palo Alto will need to respond to a
growing population, shifting demographics, changing best practices, and aging facilities
and infrastructure. To respond to these needs, the Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space
and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) was developed to provide guidance, direction
and a prioritization process for future renovations and capital improvements, as well as
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recreation programming, environmental enhancements and efficient and sustainable
maintenance.
The Master Plan presents a vision for Palo Alto’s parks, trails, natural open spaces and
recreation system (both facilities and programs) for the next 20 years. Through a
framework of goals, policies and programs, the Master Plan identifies the needs and
opportunities for maintaining, enhancing and expanding the system, as identified
through a rigorous data collection and community engagement effort. Implementation
of the Master Plan will provide benefits to the Palo Alto community in many ways - from
building social connections to strengthening the overall well-being of the community;
the needs and opportunities identified in the Master Plan will contribute to improving
the physical, social, emotional and mental health of both residents and visitors and will
provide a forum for fostering a culture of connectedness.
The Master Plan was developed using a three phase process. The first phase included a
comprehensive inventory and analysis of all Palo Alto parks, trails, developed natural
open space areas (picnic areas, parking lots) and recreational facilities and programs.
This phase also included an analysis of current and forecasted community demographic
and recreation trends. A proactive and extensive community engagement process, that
included a broad range of activities, was used to identify community and stakeholder
needs, interests and preferences for system enhancements.
The second phase built upon data and information gathered in Phase One, and with
oversight by the Parks and Recreation Commission, six goals were developed each with
its own series of policies and programs. It is not expected that all of the programs in
the Master Plan will be completed within a twenty year horizon, instead the Master Plan
offers an aspirational suite of programs and projects that will help achieve the goals.
This phase concluded with the development of the final Master Plan chapter titled
Implementation. This chapter includes a process for prioritization, a summary of high
priority projects and programs, potential funding options and a system for evaluating
future projects.
The third and final phase included drafting the Master Plan document itself and
conducting stakeholder reviews. The Draft Master Plan has been reviewed by the Palo
Alto community at large, a defined stakeholder group, Parks and Recreation
Commission and City Council at several stages throughout the process. To comply with
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared and circulated for public comment.
The draft Master Plan was presented to Council on May 22, 2017 with the goal of
obtaining feedback for inclusion in the final Master Plan. The Council meeting resulted
in one motion; to direct staff to strengthen the language of Policy 6.C in the Master
Plan, which focuses on restricting private and exclusive use of parks. The revised policy
language can be found in the discussion section of this report. Additionally Council
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recommended that the rationale for selecting the list of high priority projects and
programs be included in the Master Plan and that discussion is also in this report.
The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) has been instrumental in preparing the
Master Plan document from reviewing multiple revisions of the plan to crafting specific
policy and program language. On July 25, 2017 the Parks and Recreation Commission
unanimously voted in favor of recommending that Council adopt the Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan and the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
The PRC drafted a letter of support and community “call for action”, which is included
at the end of Chapter 5.
Included in the Master Plan is a transmittal of the Final Master Plan to City Council from
City Manager Jim Keene. The transmittal provides perspective on the role of the
community as a partner in not only developing, but also implementing the Master Plan
to realize our shared vision for a strong and healthy community. Upon adoption of the
Final Master Plan, the transmittal will be addressed to the community from the City
Council.
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Background
The City of Palo Alto has 32 parks and four open space preserves covering
approximately 4,165 acres of land, including Foothills Park, Pearson-Arastradero
Preserve, Esther Clark Park, and the Baylands Nature Preserve. A Capital Improvement
Project for a Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan was adopted
by Council for the 2013 fiscal year. The purpose of this effort was to provide the
necessary analysis and review of Palo Alto’s parks and recreation system for the
preparation of a long-range (20-year) Master Plan.
Though the Master Plan addresses trails and natural open space, the intent is not to
provide specific guidance on how to manage and maintain the City’s trails and open
space preserves. Existing plans such as the Pearson Arastradero Preserve Trail
Management Plan (2001) and the Foothills Park Trail Maintenance Plan (2002) provide
trail management guidance. There are also current and planned capital projects to
develop comprehensive conservation plans for the Baylands Nature Preserve (fiscal year
2017); and for Foothills Park, Pearson Arastradero Preserve, and Esther Clark Park
(fiscal year 2019), which will provide specific guidance on vegetation and habitat
management, wildlife management, and wildlife-appropriate public access. This Master
Plan focuses on the developed areas within the City’s natural open space areas, such as
parking lots, picnic areas and facilities, and provides recommendations on how these
spaces can best be enhanced using sustainable best practices.
When adopted, the Master Plan will provide the City with clear guidance regarding
future capital improvement projects and program enhancements aimed at meeting
current and future demands on the City’s parks and recreation facilities, recreation
programming, the natural environment and facility maintenance. The Master Plan
includes an implementation guide for the near, mid, and long-term as well as possible
funding strategies. The Master Plan process consisted of three phases:
Phase One: Specific Site and Program Analysis and Community Engagement
The “project team” comprised of City staff and the consultant firm MIG, along with
significant review and input from the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), gathered
and analyzed data collected from Palo Alto’s current parks and recreation system and
the community. The Phase One analysis included a physical inventory of parks and
recreation assets, extensive community outreach to identify community and stakeholder
needs, interests and preferences for system enhancements, and a review of projected
community demographics and recreation trends. This culminated in a list of potential
needs and opportunities for the overall parks and recreation system and is compiled in
a “Data and Needs Summary Matrix”, which can be found on the project website at
www.paloaltoparksplan.org.
To develop a vision for the City’s parks, trails, open space and recreation system, the
following eight principles were developed and provide the foundation for the Master
Plan. The Principles reflect the outcome of the analysis and feedback received during
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the community engagement process. The Principles, which are defined in Chapter 4 of
the Draft Master Plan, are: Playful, Healthy, Sustainable, Inclusive, Accessible, Flexible,
Balanced and Nature.
Phase Two: Developing and Prioritizing Project and Program Opportunities
At the beginning of Phase Two, the results of the data analysis and community input
were compiled into 12 areas of focus that identify the major themes and key
components that will guide policy and program recommendations. These areas of focus
were developed as part of the on-line community survey, community meetings and
stakeholder focus group meetings as a means of allowing the community to provide
input on the types of projects and programs that should be prioritized. The areas of
focus, presented as “key findings” in the Draft Master Plan are:
• Distributing park and recreation activities and experiences across the city
• Improving the accessibility of the full range of park and recreation opportunities
• Exploring new types of programs, classes, events and activities for all ages and
abilities
• Improving and enhancing community center and recreation spaces across the
community
• Enhancing capacity and quality of sports fields
• Increasing the variety of things to do in existing parks
• Enhancing comfort and making parks more welcoming
• Increasing health and wellness opportunities in parks and programs
• Integrating nature into Palo Alto parks
• Improving spaces and increased options for off-leash dogs
• Expanding the system
• Offering more of the existing programs, classes and events
The project team, working with the PRC, consolidated these areas of focus into five
master plan goals. One additional goal was added to represent the standards for
operating existing and future parks, recreation, and open space systems. The goals will
provide overall direction for long-term improvements to the parks and recreation
system, while balancing the broad range of interests of Palo Alto’s diverse community
with the natural environment. The goals provide an organizational structure for the
policies and programs of the Master Plan, and are introduced in Chapter 4.
Following the goals are policies and programs. The policies, like the goals, were
developed from the analysis in phase one and draws on community input, park and
program analysis, staff input and PRC feedback. The programs provide specific actions
toward achieving the goals and policies and represent potential enhancements and
expansions for the parks and recreation system including recreation programming.
Programs include specific capital improvements, programs and services, as well as
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studies to gather needed data to give direction on capital improvements, programs and
services where there is insufficient data.
Phase two concluded with development of a prioritization process that involves applying
a set of criteria that will guide future implementation. A list of high priority projects and
programs was also developed and is presented in Chapter 5 of the Master Plan. This
list was developed with feedback from the PRC, community, stakeholders and City staff
and represents what we know today are high priority needs and/or opportunities. More
detail on the process used to develop this list is provided in the Discussion section of
this report.
Phase Three: Drafting of the Master Plan, Review, CEQA and Adoption
The final phase included a review of the Draft Master Plan by the community, the PRC,
and City Council. Council has provided input on the Master Plan throughout the process
and most recently reviewed the draft Master Plan on May 22, 2017. A California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the Master Plan to assess whether the
recommended policies and programs identified in the plan will have a signficant impact
on the environment has been completed. An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration was prepared and circulated for public review from May 8, 2017 to June 6,
2017. Additionally, a public hearing to receive comments was held on May 23, 2017.
The final step is for Council to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Final
Master Plan.
Discussion
Final Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Staff presented the Draft Master Plan to Council on May 22, 2017 with the goal of
receiving comments and feedback for incorporation into a Final Master Plan document.
All comments received provided guidance in preparing this version of the Final Master
Plan. The Final Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan is included
in Attachment A, and is available online at www.paloaltorparksplan.org.
There were two comments received during the May 22nd Council meeting that require
further discussion and follow up. The first comment is related to Master Plan Policy 6.C
and resulted in the following motion: “Direct Staff to strengthen the language of
Programs 6.C.1, 6.C.2, and 6.C.3 to minimize private, exclusive use and when such uses
are allowed, charge significant fees and include specific outreach language.” In
response to that motion staff drafted alternate language for Programs 6.C.1, 6.C.2, and
6.C.3 that was subsequently reviewed and further edited by the PRC during the July 25,
2017 PRC meeting. The PRC unanimously approved by motion the following revised
language for Policy 6.C and its related programs. The previous policy and program
language follows the revised language.
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REVISED LANGUAGE IN FINAL MASTER PLAN:
Policy 6.C: Limit the exclusive use of Palo Alto parks (booking a park site or
recreation facility or significant portion thereof) for events by private
organizations that are closed to the general public.
PROGRAMS
6.C.1 Exclusive use of parks or athletic fields by a private party or corporation for
events that are closed to the general public will be considered on a case-by-case
basis, and will be assessed using the following criteria:
No exclusive use by private parties is permitted on peak days (e.g., weekends,
holidays) or peak times (e.g., evening hours on weekdays, 10 am – 6 pm on
weekends) as defined by Community Services staff unless approved in advance
by the Director of Community Services;
Private uses will be limited to a maximum of five consecutive days, including
event setup and break-down;
For any multi-day private event including set up and break-down, notice of the
private event will be made to the neighboring community and facility users, a
minimum of 14 days in advance allowing for public input prior to the permit
being issued;
Cost recovery, including wear and tear on facility should be no less than 100%;
Explore establishing incremental deposits and fees for such use.
6.C.2 Exclusive use of parks or athletic fields for locally focused events that allow
registration by the general public (e.g., races, obstacle course events, triathlons,
etc.) may be considered by staff if consistent with this Master Plan.
6.C.3 Exclusive use of certain sites and facilities within parks, such as reservable
picnic areas, is permitted in accordance with the City’s Park and Open Space
Regulations.
6.C.4 Events that allow public access are permitted in accordance with Special Event
Permit procedures.
PREVIOUS LANGUAGE IN DRAFT MASTER PLAN:
Policy 6.C: Limit the exclusive use of Palo Alto parks (booking an entire park
site or recreation facility) for events by outside organizations that are closed
to the general public.
PROGRAMS
6.C.1 No exclusive use of parks by private parties is permitted on peak days
(e.g., weekends, holidays) or peak times (e.g., evening hours on weekdays, 10
am – 6 pm on weekends) as defined by Community Services staff unless
approved in advance by the Director of Community Services. Exclusive use of
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certain sites and facilities within parks, such as reservable spaces like picnic
areas, is generally permitted during peak days and times.
6.C.2 Exclusive use of parks for locally focused events that allow registration by
the general public (e.g., races, obstacle course events, triathlons, etc.) may be
considered by staff if consistent with this Master Plan.
6.C.3 Private events that are closed to the general public (e.g., corporate events,
private weddings) and are intended to use an entire park (rather than a
reservable space in excess of capacities as defined in the Special Event Permit
procedures) may only be considered outside of peak days and times as defined
by Community Services staff. These events should recover 100% of all
associated costs, including wear and tear on public parks and facilities.
6.C.4 Events that allow public access are permitted, in accordance with Special
Event Permit procedures.
Significant changes to Policy 6.C and associated programs to further define private use
of parks include:
Limiting private events to five consecutive days, including event set-up and
break-down. The five-day timeframe was deliberately chosen to limit the event
to only one weekend.
Adding a 14 day pubic noticing requirement to ensure that public input be
received prior to issuance of an event permit.
Adding text to program 6.C.1 - “Explore establishing incremental deposits and
fees for such use”. The PRC added this language to recognize the need for a
separate and defined fee structure for private or commercial use of park space.
The second comment is related to the projects and programs identified as high-priority
in Chapter 5 of the Master Plan, and the thought process by which those projects and
programs were selected, and how to interpret the use of the “urgency” category.
The list of high priority projects and programs was developed with feedback from the
PRC, community, stakeholders and City staff. Through significant and diversified
community outreach and staff interviews, these projects and programs represent what
we know today are high priority needs and/or opportunities. All of these projects and
programs were emphasized in the community engagement input as the most important
enhancements to the system. There is a funding gap, however; that prohibits all of
these high priorities from being implemented immediately. To address this, a
prioritization process will be used to create and update an annual action plan
concurrent with the City’s annual budget process. The prioritization process involves
evaluating the benefit to the community of proposed projects and programs by applying
the following set of criteria: fill existing gaps; respond to growth; address community
preferences; maximize public resources; and realize multiple benefits.
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The Implementation Chapter of the Master Plan evaluates each of the priority projects
and programs using five factors. Each year, as the annual action plan is developed, staff
will utilize these five factors, along with the prioritization criteria above to identify the
projects and programs that will be reviewed during the annual budget process.
The five factors are:
1. Planning Effort
2. Capital Cost
3. Annual Operating Cost
4. Time Frame
5. Urgency
Urgency is defined in the Master Plan several ways:
1. Availability versus demand – The capacity of indoor and outdoor facilities is not
enough to satisfy the demand for use of those facilities. Likewise, if programs
that are in high demand are limited in their offerings.
2. Time sensitivity – There is a need to implement a project because it influences or
guides future operations.
3. Missed opportunities – When failing to act results in a missed opportunity that
may not be available again.
A project may also be considered high urgency when there is a new legal or regulatory
requirement or when it is in response to a safety issue. Typically projects that fit into
these two categories of high urgency are not planned, but must be implemented when
a regulation changes or a safety issue comes to light.
Urgency is used to distinguish a project or program that was identified as an important
enhancement to the system from those that, if not implemented would result in a more
significant and noticeable impact. For the purpose of the Master Plan, priority differs
from urgency in that a high priority project or program is one that staff has identified
through customer service, experience or observation as an existing gap and the
community has consistently expressed as a desired enhancement or addition to the
system. Urgency includes an additional element in anticipating the impact or outcome
of not implementing a project or program. Using the three Master Plan definitions of
urgency, implementing a high priority/high urgent project would result in one or more
of the following: 1) community access to a high demand program or facility otherwise
not available; 2) information or action needed to further operations or subsequent
actions; and 3) staff, the PRC and Council are prepared to make informed decisions that
if not acted upon, would result in a missed opportunity.
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An example of a high priority and low urgency project is “enhanced seating areas in
parks.” While there was substantial community support for enhanced seating,
implementation of this would most likely follow the existing schedule for park
renovation so that seating areas or benches would be added when a park is undergoing
other renovations. Likewise, an example of a high priority and high urgency project is
“develop conservation plans for open space preserves.” Development of these plans
will directly influence future operations by providing guiding principles and a clear
action plan for managing the preserves to achieve both conservation and recreation
goals.
Next Steps
As described in the Implementation Chapter, an Action Plan will be the primary tool by
which projects and programs are forecasted and planned. The first Action Plan will be
completed to coincide with development of the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. Several capital
projects identified in the Master Plan are included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Adopted
Capital Budget. These projects are:
Baylands Comprehensive Conservation Plan, PG-17000 (Master Plan Policy 4.A)
Dog Park Installation at Peers Park, PG-18001 (Master Plan Policy 2.D)
Turf Management Plan, PG-18002 (Master Plan Policy 2.C)
Resource Impact
Funding for this study and planning process is in Capital Improvement Program project
PE-13003: Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, which was adopted by
Council in Fiscal Year 2013.
The recommended projects and programs that are included in the Master Plan should
be considered potential future projects, and the level and extent of improvements and
expansion will be dependent on the availability of resources and the ongoing evaluation
of the City’s needs and interests across all departments. These potential future projects
will further impact the current five year capital improvement plan (CIP) that reflects
insufficient available funding for planned projects. The intent of this planning is to
utilize limited Capital Improvement Funds and other resources wisely and effectively,
and to leverage these resources with grants or private funding whenever possible.
The Master Plan makes recommendations that call for new investments in the future
including the development of a strategic funding plan to successfully implement the
recommendations. Possible funding sources identified include both expanding the
options of existing funding and exploring new sources such as taxes and bonds, special
districts and establishing an endowment fund for maintenance costs. All of these
potential funding sources will need to be evaluated more closely and weighed against
other significant funding needs currently being faced by the City as there is currently a
funding gap in the five year general CIP fund.
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Policy Implications
The proposed Master Plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan Policy C-26 of the
Community Services element of the Comprehensive Plan that encourages maintaining
park facilities as safe and healthy community assets; and Policy C-22 that encourages
new community facilities to have flexible functions to ensure adaptability to the
changing needs of the community.
Environmental Review
A California Environmental Qualtiy Act (CEQA) review of the Master Plan was conducted
by the consultant firm MIG with assistance from City staff. An Initial Study was
prepared in accordance with Section 15063 of the State CEQA Guidelines to determine
if the recommended policies and programs identified in the Master Plan have the
potential to result in a signficant impact on the environment. For any significant
effects, appropriate mitigation measures have been applied to the project to reduce the
impacts to less than significant levels. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared
and includes a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), which describes
the roles and responsibilities in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the
proposed mitigation measures. The Draft IS/MND was made available for public
comment from May 8, 2017 through June 6, 2017. A public hearing was held on May
23, 2017 to receive public comment on the IS/MND. The Final IS/MND is included as
Attachment B, followed by the Mitigation Monitoring and Report Program (Attachment
C).
Comments received during the public review period can be found in Attachment D. All
comments were considered when preparing the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)
and MMRP and responses were prepared as part of the administrative record. Several
comments received during the IS/MND public review period resulted in edits to the
Master Plan. These comments and the resulting edits are provided in the table below.
Comment
Number
Comment Response
B.2 Policies within the Countywide Trails Plan
are intended to provide a coordinated
vision for linking trail plans and
implementation efforts of individual
jurisdictions and agencies within the
County. The County Parks Department
recommends that the Countywide Trails
Plan be acknowledged within the City’s
Parks, Trail, Natural Open Space &
Recreation Plan.
A reference to the Countywide
Trails Plan was added to Page
40 of the Master Plan.
E.1 Please describe and cite the Palo Alto
City’s Charter, Article IIIV “Parks” in the
Plan and in the IS/MND Project
Text has been added to the
Park Master Plan on page 11
recognizing the Palo Alto City
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description / Regulatory Setting (MND,
page 42).
Charter, Article VIII “Parks”.
The text of Article VIII Parks
directs that all lands owned or
controlled by the City which are
or will be used for park,
play‐ground, recreation, or
conservation purposes shall be
dedicated for such purposes by
ordinance. No land dedicated
for such purposes shall be sold
or otherwise disposed of, nor
shall its use be abandoned or
discontinued except pursuant to
majority vote of the electorate.
E.5 Increased Access to Nature: Please
provide more discussion and mitigation of
impacts of new access to natural areas,
especially in Open Space Preserves and
along wetlands and creeks as increased
access can have negative impacts.
A sentence has been added to
Master Plan Program 4.A.1
Develop Comprehensive
Conservation Plans
for the Open Space Preserves,
to provide clear direction on the
protection of natural resources
from
visitor use impacts (not just
impacts from dogs). Program
4.A.1 now states:
4.A.1 Develop comprehensive
conservation plans for Baylands
Preserve, Foothills Park, Esther
Clark Park and
Pearson‐Arastradero Preserve to
identify strategies to balance
ecosystem preservation, passive
recreation and environmental
education. The protection of
biological resources from visitor
use impacts shall be the priority
in these open space preserves.
Many of the comments received did not result in edits to the Master Plan. These
comments either resulted in revisions to the IS/MND or were noted for future reference.
The California Department of Transportation provided comments related to future
projects that may result in ground-disturbing activity. Staff’s response to these
comments is that specific development or improvement projects recommended by the
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Master Plan would require further evaluation under CEQA once design and
implementation information becomes available. Additional language was added to the
IS/MND related to traffic restrictions and maintaining pedestrian access in accordance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act if a future project impacts state roads. The
County’s Roads and Airports Department also provided comments related to future
projects. Projects included in the Master Plan that may impact County roads will
comply with CEQA Guidelines prior to implementation. The County of Santa Clara,
Department of Environmental Health provided comments related to underground
storage tanks and the presence of metals and pesticides. In response to the County’s
concerns, text was added that the City would conduct an analysis prior to disturbing
soils that may potentially be contaminated by past activities.
The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department and Santa Clara Valley
Audubon Society provided comments that resulted in direct changes to the Master Plan,
as described in the table above. The Audubon Society also provided comments
emphasizing the need for nature in urban/suburban parks as well as natural open space
and requested additional language be added to the Master Plan in response to this.
This comment did not result in changes to the Master Plan because the Master Plan
recognizes the public’s desire for access to nature and natural areas. This is captured
in the Principles, Goals and Policies (3.B, 4.C and 4.D) of the Master Plan. Several of
the Audubon Society’s comments resulted in edits to the IS/MND. These comments
were related to riparian setbacks, the definition of an active bird nest and impacts to
open space areas from visitors and dogs.
The Master Plan contains policies that are implemented through specific recommended
programs. While the Master Plan identifies specific types of park improvements it does
not present project level design plans for any specific improvement or project. In the
absence of project level information, the Initial Study (IS) identifies general areas of
potential environmental impacts that could occur from the implementation of the Master
Plan, and identifies how existing City policies, programs, and procedures, as well as
regulatory standards and programmatic procedures, would reduce or avoid
environmental impacts. The impact analysis presents mitigation measures that would be
applied to future projects to reduce or prevent environmental impacts.
Adoption of the Master Plan would not authorize any specific development or the
construction of improvements identified in the Master Plan. Specific development or
improvement projects recommended by the Master Plan would require further
evaluation under CEQA once design and implementation information becomes available.
However, certain types of improvements or modifications proposed under the Master
Plan could be implemented if they are found not to be a project under CEQA, or the
City can document that these improvements do not have potentially significant
environmental impacts. If the City can document that these improvements do not have
potentially significant impacts, they can be Categorically Exempt under CEQA.
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Once project-level information is developed for broader activities that are proposed
pursuant to the goals and policies of the Master Plan, the City would review the project
under CEQA and determine the appropriate level of environmental impact analysis. In
the absence of even conceptual-level design and implementation information, this Initial
Study cannot evaluate the potential environmental impacts of many of the activities
contemplated in the Master Plan. Future review of these projects (for example,
Cubberley Community Center Master Plan, acquiring new parkland, etc.) would focus on
those site-specific and localized environmental issues that could not be examined in
sufficient detail as part of this IS/MND.
Attachments
A: Final Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
B: Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
C: Mitigation, Monitoring and Report Program (MMRP)
D: Public comments on Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and
responses to comments
E: Resolution Adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration for Parks Master Plan
Attachments:
Attachment A: Palo Alto_Parks_Master Plan_DRAFT_083017
Attachment B: Initial Study_MND sheet
Attachment C: Final MMRP_Palo Alto Parks Master Plan_20170814
Attachment D: Public Comment Letters
Attachment E: Resolution Adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration for Parks Master
Plan
PB
PALOALTO
MASTER PLAN
AUGUST 2017 DRAFT
PARKS TRAILS NATURAL OPEN SPACE & RECREATION
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation MASTER PLAN
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CITY OF PALO ALTO
This project was a joint effort of the Community Services and Public
Works Departments of the City of Palo Alto.
The core team included the following staff members:
Rob de Geus, Director of Community Services
Kristen O’Kane, Assistant Director of Community Services
Brad Eggleston, Assistant Director of Public Works
Daren Anderson, Open Space, Parks & Golf Division Manager
Peter Jensen, Landscape Architect
Elizabeth Ames, Senior Engineer
The Parks and Recreation Commission advised staff throughout
the planning process:
Stacy Ashlund
Jim Cowie
Anne Warner Cribbs
Dierdre Crommie
Jeff Greenfield
Jennifer Hetterly
Abbie Knopper
CONSULTANT TEAM
MIG, INC.
PALO ALTO COMMUNITY
Special thanks to the dedicated Palo Alto residents and community
members who contributed their time, energy and ideas to this
effort, particularly the members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group.
Jeff Lamere
Ed Lauing
Pat Markevitch
Ryan McCauley
Don McDougall
David Moss
Keith Reckdahl
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation MASTER PLAN
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation MASTER PLAN
CONTENTS
MASTER PLAN
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2. Elements of Palo Alto’s Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation System ...........9
Chapter 3. Analysis & Assessment ....... ............................................................................................................. 23
Chapter 4. Our Future: Principles, Goals, Policies, Programs & Projects ................................................49
Chapter 5. Implementation .....................................................................................................................................79
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................................117
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................... 119
Photo Credits ............................................................................................................................................................. 123
APPENDICES
A. Parks & Recreation Facilities Inventory .......................................................................................................A-1
B. Geographic Analysis ............................................................................................................................................B-1
C. Community Engagement...................................................................................................................................C-1
D. Existing Capital & Operations Funding Sources .......................................................................................D-1
E. Mitigation Documentation................................................................................................................................ E-1
FIGURES
Figure 1: Planning Process .........................................................................................................................................4
Figure 2: Existing Public Parks and Natural Open Space Map ....................................................................14
Figure 3: Program Areas by Number of Participants .....................................................................................20
Figure 4: Projected Growth in Palo Alto’s Senior Population ......................................................................28
Figure 5: Palo Alto Race and Ethnicity..................................................................................................................29
Figure 6: Park Walksheds Map ...............................................................................................................................32
Figure 7: Prioritization Challenge Results ..........................................................................................................39
Figure 8: Park Search Areas Map ..........................................................................................................................42
Figure 9: Bikeways and Pedestrian Routes Map .............................................................................................44
Figure 10: Natural Systems Map ...........................................................................................................................46
iv
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation MASTER PLAN
TABLES
Table 1: Palo Alto Parks and Natural Open Spaces Inventory ....................................................................13
Table 2: Palo Alto Facility Inventory ......................................................................................................................16
Table 3: City of Palo Alto Projected Population.................................................................................................26
Table 4: City of Palo Alto Key Age Groups...........................................................................................................27
Table 5: Funding Applicability ................................................................................................................................105
Table 6: Existing Indicators ....................................................................................................................................113
Table 7: Recommended Indicators .....................................................................................................................115
v
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
To build on and continue the legacy of its strong parks system,
the City of Palo Alto developed the Parks, Trails, Natural Open
Space and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) to guide ongoing
investment in one of the community’s most treasured assets.
The Master Plan presents the vision for the future of Palo Alto’s
parks, trails, natural open space and recreation system, based
on guiding principles, goals and concepts developed through a
rigorous analysis of the existing system and a robust community
engagement process. It builds on this framework with a set of
policies, projects and programs and recommendations for future
renovations and capital improvements. It also includes guidance on
how to prioritize future recreation, programming, environmental
and maintenance investments to meet our community’s changing
needs and evolving demands for the next 20 years.
Planning Process
The Master Plan process consisted of three phases:
• Phase I: Community Engagement, Specific Site
Analysis and Program Analysis. This phase included
development of a comprehensive inventory and analysis
of all Palo Alto parks, trails, developed natural open
space areas (picnic areas, parking lots) and recreational
facilities and programs; analysis of current and
forecasted demographic and recreation trends; and
analysis of community recreation needs. It also included
identification of community and stakeholder needs,
interests and preferences for system enhancements
using a proactive community engagement process with
a broad range of activities.
• Phase II: Developing and Prioritizing Project and
Program Opportunities. During this phase, Palo Alto
developed goals, policies and programs; identified capital
projects, needed renovations and other improvements;
and prioritized actions into short, medium and long-term
implementation timelines using what was learned in
Phase 1. The Palo Alto community provided feedback on
priorities and programs through several activities.
• Phase III: Master Plan Drafting, Review and Adoption.
In Phase 3, the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC),
City Council and Palo Alto community reviewed and
refined the draft Master Plan, and Council adopted it.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
viv
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community engagement opportunities were infused throughout
the planning process. Engagement methods included a wide
variety of tools and activities, offered within a range of formats,
time frames and levels of interaction, to engage with Palo Alto’s
diverse community members in ways that were comfortable and
convenient for them.
Opportunities
The input from the community, combined with analysis of the
many aspects of the park system, generated a wide range of
opportunities. In the overall context of limited land, three properties
in Palo Alto represent unique opportunities, as they are already
owned by the City and are not yet designated for a specific use :
•Cubberley Community Center: The City owns 8 of the 35 acres
of this former high school campus and has managed leases
within the buildings with a number of community organizations
and businesses while also scheduling the gym and field space.
The City and the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) have
agreed to jointly master plan the redevelopment of the site by
2020.
•Foothills Park Expansion: The City acquired 7.7 acres of land
adjacent to Foothills Park and has dedicated it as an expansion
of the park. The expansion is cut off from the developed
portion of the park by the existing maintenance facility.
Discussion of the future of this site is pending the results of
the Buckeye Creek hydrology study, which will be completed in
summer 2017.
•Baylands Athletic Center Expansion: As a result of the
redesign of the Palo Alto Golf Course, 10.5 acres of land was
added to the adjacent Baylands Athletic Center site for future
recreation opportunities.
In addition, three concept maps illustrate high-value opportunities
to further create a multi-layered system of parklands and
connections that serves both people and natural systems. The
maps can also serve as tools for supporting decisions on individual
policies, programs and projects.
MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT METHODS
•A project webpage
•Public information updates
through a variety of online
and print communication
channels
•A series of face-to-face
“intercept surveys” at
popular locations and
community events
•A variety of interactive
community workshops
•A series of online surveys
•Interviews with City staff
and community experts to
better inform topics that
emerged from community
engagement
•Consultations with the
Parks and Recreation
Commission (PRC) and other
appointed commissions
•City Council updates and
study sessions
vii
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Park Search Areas
Expand the System
This map identifies areas of Palo Alto where residents lack access
to parks and natural open spaces within ¼ mile of their homes.
These “park search areas,” labeled A through E for planning
purposes, will help Palo Alto focus future park additions in
neighborhoods with the greatest need: for example, those with the
highest density and/or largest population. Meanwhile, this map
shows the importance of public access to school grounds that fall
within park search areas (noted in purple), which have the potential
to be maintained and expanded.
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EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
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Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B: Lowest population and
lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E:
Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
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Menlo Park
Los Altos
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EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Spaceand Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B:
Lowest population and lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E: Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
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Matadero Creek
Barron
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Spaceand Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B:
Lowest population and lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E: Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
viiivii
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Connect the System
A selection of Palo Alto’s existing and planned bikeways and
pedestrian routes can be leveraged to improve park and recreation
access. This map illustrates this potential network of trails and
enhanced roadways that connect neighborhoods to local and
regional parks, recreation facilities and natural open spaces.
These routes are part of the City’s adopted Bicycle Pedestrian
Transportation Plan and related work on Safe Routes to School.
Recommended enhanced routes, labeled 1 through 3 for planning
purposes, provide main north to south travel corridors between
Palo Alto’s parks and into neighboring communities. Regional trails
like the Bay to Ridge and San Francisco Bay trails provide similar
travel corridors from Foothills Park and Arastradero Preserve in
the southwest to the Baylands Preserve and other shoreline parks
and natural open spaces to the northeast. Recommended park
connectors complete the network by linking the remaining park
sites.
Palo Alto Airport
Date: July 2017Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes
Regional and Countywide Trails
(Adobe Creek Connector,San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
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2
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Date: July 2017Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Spaceand Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes
Regional and Countywide Trails (Adobe Creek Connector,San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Palo Alto Airport
Date: July 2017Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Spaceand Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes
Regional and Countywide Trails (Adobe Creek Connector,San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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2
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San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Connect Natural Systems
This map illustrates how the same corridors recommended for
bike and pedestrian enhancements can also provide connectivity
for natural systems. Landscape design features such as increased
urban forest canopy, native species plantings and stormwater
bioswales can create safe paths of travel and provide habitat value
for local wildlife. Creek and riparian enhancements, supported
by these “pollinator pathways,” would improve water quality and
habitat connections between regionally significant habitats in the
hills and in the bay. New street and park trees would benefit areas
that currently have low tree canopy coverage, highlighted in tan.
Pollinator Pathways
Community Gardens
Wetland Habitat
Riparian Connected Parks
Creeks/ Riparian Enhancements
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Mean Projected High Water -3 ft Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Creeks and Channels
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
Natural System Features
City Park
City Natural Open Spaces
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Water Bodies
Urban Canopy Target Areas
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in the Bayland Preserve:Western burrowing owlCalifornia seabliteNorthern coastal salt marsh
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in San Francisquito Creek:SteelheadCalifornia red legged frogWestern pond turtleShowy rancheria cloverValley oak woodland
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Pearson-Arastradero Preserve:Western pond turtleSerpentine bunchgrassIndian Valley bush-mallow
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Foothills Park:Western LeatherwoodValley oak woodland
Regional Habitat
Connection Concept
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San Francisquito Creek
Matadero C ree k
Barron
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Creeks/ Riparian Enhancements
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Mean Projected High Water -3 ft Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Creeks and Channels
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
Natural System Features
City Park
City Natural Open Spaces
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Water Bodies
Urban Canopy Target Areas
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in the Bayland Preserve:Western burrowing owlCalifornia seabliteNorthern coastal salt marsh
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in San Francisquito Creek:SteelheadCalifornia red legged frogWestern pond turtleShowy rancheria cloverValley oak woodland
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Pearson-Arastradero Preserve:Western pond turtleSerpentine bunchgrassIndian Valley bush-mallow
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Foothills Park:Western LeatherwoodValley oak woodland
Regional Habitat Connection Concept
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San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Cree k
Barron
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Adob
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Creeks/ Riparian Enhancements
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Mean Projected High Water -3 ft Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Creeks and Channels
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
Natural System Features
City Park
City Natural Open Spaces
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
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°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Water Bodies
Urban Canopy Target Areas
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo AltoParks, Trails, Natural Open Spaceand Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in the Bayland Preserve:Western burrowing owlCalifornia seabliteNorthern coastal salt marsh
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in San Francisquito Creek:SteelheadCalifornia red legged frogWestern pond turtleShowy rancheria cloverValley oak woodland
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Pearson-Arastradero Preserve:Western pond turtleSerpentine bunchgrassIndian Valley bush-mallow
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Foothills Park:Western LeatherwoodValley oak woodland
Regional Habitat
Connection Concept
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S an Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
C
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k
Adob
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Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo AltoAtherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Principles, Goals and Policies
Through the Master Plan process, the Palo Alto community defined
a future for parks, trails, natural open spaces and recreation. Distilled
community input and themes from the analysis process led to the
principles, goals and system-wide concepts that describe the community’s
long-term vision for the future system.
Principles
The eight principles represent the collective direction provided by hundreds
of participants from across the city as well as many local stakeholder
groups. Building on our assets, our vision for the continuing evolution of
the park system is encapsulated in the following eight principles:
• Playful: Inspires imagination and joy.
• Healthy: Supports the physical and mental health and well-
being of individuals as well as the connectedness and cohesion
of the community.
• Sustainable: Stewards natural, economic and social resources
for a system that endures for the long term.
• Inclusive: Responsive to the entire Palo Alto community: all
ages, abilities, languages, cultures and levels of income.
• Accessible: Easy for people of all abilities to use year-round and
access by all modes of travel.
• Flexible: Supports multiple uses across time with adaptable
spaces that can accommodate traditional, emerging and future
uses.
• Balanced: Is not dominated by any one type of experience or
place and includes both historic elements and cutting-edge
features, highly manicured and more organic spaces, and self-
directed and programmed activities.
• Nature: Incorporates native species and habitat corridors, and
creates opportunities to learn about and interact with nature.
PLAYFUL
HEALTHY
SUSTAINABLE
INCLUSIVE
ACCESSIBLE
FLEXIBLE
BALANCED
NATURE
xi
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Goals
Six goals state the community’s desired outcomes and provide an
organizational structure for the policies, programs and projects that
form the recommendations of the Master Plan.
• Provide high-quality facilities and services that are
accessible, inclusive and distributed equitably across
Palo Alto.
• Enhance the capacity, quality and variety of uses of the
existing system of parks, recreation and open space
facilities and services.
• Create environments that encourage regular active and
passive activities to support health, wellness and social
connections.
• Preserve and integrate nature, natural systems and
ecological principles throughout Palo Alto.
• Develop innovative programs, services and strategies for
expanding the system.
• Manage Palo Alto’s land and services effectively,
efficiently and sustainably utilizing quantitative and
qualitative measures.
Policies
The principles and goals will be realized through the policies
described in Chapter 4 of the Master Plan. These policies and
programs are organized within the framework of the six goals, with
implementing policies and programs following each goal.
Implementation
Over the next twenty years, the implementation of the projects and
programs recommended in the Master Plan will include an annual
process initiated by City staff with guidance and leadership from
the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council. Palo Alto’s
dedicated community advocates and partner organizations will
also play an important role in ensuring the proposed programs and
projects align with the needs of the community.
Projects and programs were prioritized and will continue to be
evaluated by five criteria:
• Fill existing gaps: Bring recreation opportunities
(parkland, facilities, programs) to areas of the City and to
users where gaps were identified.
The goals reflect the community’s desired outcomes, examples of these outcomes are shown above.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Respond to growth: Add features or programs and/or
modify or expand components of the system to prepare
for and address increasing demand.
• Address community preferences: Target the highest
priority types of projects and programs identified
through citywide outreach.
• Maximize public resources: Create the most benefit for
each dollar of capital and operating expenditure possible.
• Realize multiple benefits: Advance the principles of this
Master Plan as well as the goals, projects and directions
of other adopted City efforts.
High-Priority Projects and Programs
There are thirty-four projects and programs that we know
today are high priorities, based on feedback from the Parks and
Recreation Commission, City Council, stakeholders, the broader
community and City staff. These priorities are organized by projects
and programs in order of urgency. Urgency was determined by the
availability compared to the need, the time sensitivity or potential
for missed opportunities and is discussed in detail in Chapter 5 of
this plan.
Major projects needing further study and strategic funding
• Enhance existing sports fields
• Plan, design and construct 10.5-acre site in Baylands for
park uses
• Plan, design and redevelop Cubberley Community Center
• Plan, design and construct a new public gymnasium
• Improve the Rinconada Pool Facility
• Incorporate 7.7-acre site into Foothills Park
• Acquire new parkland in high-need areas
• Improve golf course facility
Examples of the types of programs and projects that can be implemented by the dedicated community of Palo Alto.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Projects ready in the short term
• Develop conservation plans for open space preserves
• Develop new dog parks in underrepresented areas
• Construct new restrooms in parks
• Incorporate sustainable practices in the maintenance
and management of parks, open space and recreation
facilities
• Exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements in
parks
• Improve trail connections and access
• Develop adult fitness areas in parks
• Integrate nature into urban parks
• Develop new community gardens in underserved areas
• Enhance seating areas in parks
• Create wayfinding signage of safe routes to parks
Programs
• Establish and grow partnerships and identify and
cultivate potenial park and recreation donors
• Collaborate with school district to increase access to
playgrounds, gyms and other school facilities
• Expand recruitment and training of coaches and
instructors
• Expand aquatics programs
• Expand programs for seniors
• Expand non-academic programs for teens Some projects need further study and funding, wheras others are ready in the short-term based on feedback from the community.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Provide intramural sports program for middle and high
school students
• Invest in staff training to enhance therapeutic and
inclusive program development
• Increase the variety of activities available in parks
• Encourage unstructured play at parks and community
centers
• Connect youth, teens and families with nature
• Expand programs related to health and wellness
• Pilot temporary/pop-up programming in parks
• Expand community-focused special events
• Offer cultural enrichment programs
Master Plan Progress Tracking
Existing measures, from the Citizen Centric Report and the annual
citizen satisfaction survey, provide a large selection of indicators
for any part of the parks, trails, natural open space and recreation
system. Additional recommended indicators include new measures
of satisfaction, performance and funding.
Further progress tracking will include reports on specific actions or
projects that have been initiated or completed that contribute to
the achievement of the programs, policies and goals. This annual
progress report will also update funding status.
Examples of desired programs based on feedback from the community.
CHAPTER1
PURPOSE AND INTENT
It has been fifty years since Palo Alto has taken a comprehensive look at the community’s needs for parklands, natural open space, trails and recreation. Past planning shaped our community’s present day parks and recreation offerings and led to the creation of the Baylands Athletic Center, expansion of athletic fields throughout the City and an expansion of Greer Park. Our predecessors established standards for parks within one-half mile of every residential development, and for neighborhood and district park acreage to be added as the community grew.
Today Palo Alto residents, employees and visitors value and enjoy the City’s high-quality system of parks, recreation programs, trails and natural open
INTRODUCTION
2
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
EVOLVE THE SYSTEM TO SERVE A LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE SET OF COMMUNITY NEEDS
32
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
space. To build on and continue the legacy of a strong parks system,
the City developed this Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and
Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) to guide ongoing investment
in one of the community’s most treasured assets.
Over the last five decades, the City has completed a series of
planning efforts that affect parks and recreation; implemented
capital improvement projects to maintain and renovate City
facilities; and applied development impact fees for parks,
community centers and libraries. In recent years, several major
projects have been completed, including the all-new Mitchell
Park Library and Community Center and the Magical Bridge
Playground, both of which opened in 2015 to community acclaim.
Today, Palo Alto has the opportunity to evolve the system to serve
a larger and more diverse set of community needs and tackle
challenges to maintain the high standard of living enjoyed by
residents. A particular focus will be finding and creating additional
spaces for parks and recreation to achieve the goals of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan and bring parks and recreation activities within
walking distance of all residents.
The park system of the 21st century calls for holistic guidance for
managing, improving and expanding park and recreation facilities
to keep programs, services and facilities relevant to present and
future populations; appropriately balance recreation and natural
open space conservation; and identify funding to meet these
challenges. For this reason, Palo Alto prioritized the development of
this Master Plan.
The Master Plan presents the vision for the future of Palo Alto’s
parks, trails, natural open space and recreation system, based
on guiding principles, goals and concepts developed through a
rigorous analysis of the existing system and a robust community
engagement process. It builds on this foundation with a set of
policies, projects and programs. It also includes guidance on how
to prioritize future recreation, programming, environmental and
maintenance investment to meet our community’s changing needs
and evolving demands for the next 20 years.
4
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
Planning Process Overview
The planning process to develop the Master Plan consisted of three
phases, as shown in Figure 1.
• Phase I: Community Engagement, Specific Site Analysis
and Program Analysis: This phase included two parallel
tracks that informed one another: the Community
Engagement and Stakeholder Engagement track and
the Technical Assessment and Analysis track. While
community engagement continued through all three
phases, the bulk of the proactive engagement process
occurred in this phase, drawing input from the public and a
broad range of stakeholders to identify community needs,
interests and preferences for system enhancements.
The Technical Assessment and Analysis track included
a comprehensive inventory and analysis of all Palo Alto
parks, trails, natural open space and recreational facilities
and programs; an analysis of current and forecasted
demographic and recreation trends; and an analysis of
community recreation needs.
• Phase II: Developing and Prioritizing Project and Program
Opportunities: The two tracks of Phase 1 merged in
Phase 2 with the preparation of principles, goals and
areas of focus, and the evaluation of project and program
opportunities with prioritization into implementation
timelines of short (5-year), medium (10-year) and long-
term (20-year) ranges.
FIGURE 1: PLANNING PROCESS
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
• Phase III: Master Plan Drafting, Review and Adoption: The
Master Plan document was designed and prepared for
review by the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission
(PRC) and City Council. A concurrent environmental review
led to adoption of the plan.
The process was led by the project team, consisting of City and
consultant staff. The PRC was involved throughout the process,
serving as strategic advisors and participating in-depth in reviewing
the assessment and analysis tasks.
Community Engagement
The Master Plan was designed to be community and data driven,
to ensure that Palo Alto’s parks and recreation system reflects
the vision and supports the needs of our residents and visitors
over the next twenty years. A robust, layered outreach strategy
was implemented through each step of the planning process.
Engagement methods included a wide variety of tools and
activities, offered within a range of formats, time frames and
levels of interaction, to engage with Palo Alto’s diverse community
members in ways that were comfortable and convenient for them.
Master Plan community engagement methods, described in
Chapter 3 and Appendix C, included:
• A project webpage
• Public information updates through a variety of online and
print communication channels
• A community stakeholder advisory group
• A series of face-to-face “intercept surveys” at popular
locations and community events
• A variety of interactive community workshops
• A series of online surveys
• Interviews with City staff and community experts to better
inform topics that emerged from community engagement
• Consultations with the Parks and Recreation Commission
(PRC) and other appointed commissions
• City Council updates and study sessions
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
GOALS
• Increase community
awareness of the project
• Inform the community
about the challenges and
opportunities of the project
• Provide easy access
to project information
and opportunities for
participation
• Offer a range of
communication and
engagement tools to match
interests and preferences
• Ensure the final Master
Plan reflects community
priorities, preferences and
values
• Get community buy-in to
support plan adoption and
its short-, mid- and long-
term implementation
6
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
The process and findings for each of the community engagement
activities are detailed in summary reports on the City website. The
summary of the key findings from the community engagement are
included in Chapter 3 and Appendix C of this plan.
Specific Site and Program Analysis
The project team completed a detailed analysis of all aspects of the
system to inform the Master Plan. The multi-layered approach to
analysis, the interconnection between the community engagement
and the analysis tasks (each feeding into the other) and the
coordination with related concurrent planning efforts ensured
that this Master Plan is based on sound information and the best
available data.
LAYERS OF ANALYSIS
The layers of assessment and analysis included:
• Physical inventory of parks, preserves and facilities
• Recreation program inventory and analysis
• Geographic analysis
• Demographics and recreation trends analysis
• Planning environment summary
• Sustainability review
TECHNICAL SUPPLEMENT
To assist in referencing and using the large amount of data
developed during the process, tabbed binders were created
for each member of the PRC and project team with all of the
completed documents, numbered for quick reference. An outline
of the deliverables for the Master Plan process became the table
of contents for the binder. To facilitate broader distribution of the
data binders (and reduce paper use), the project team developed
a “digital binder,” available on the City website, which consists of
a table of contents with hotlinks to each section. This working
reference is the Technical Supplement, carrying forward the detail
of these working documents.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation INTRODUCTION
Developing and Prioritizing Project and Program Opportunities
As major elements of the the Community and Stakeholder
Engagement processes and the Technical Assessment and Analysis
were completed, the PRC and the project team began a detailed
review of the accumulated data as it related to each element
of the Master Plan, tying these two tracks of the Master Plan
process together in preparation for the critical step of developing
and prioritizing projects. The process for review, designed by the
project team with the input of the PRC, resulted in a detailed
reference matrix (with supporting documentation) identifying needs
and opportunities. This matrix served as the basis for developing,
evaluating and refining the projects and programs contained in this
Master Plan.
The matrix process allowed the PRC to review the large number of
possibilities against the extensive data available in a streamlined,
more accessible way. The matrix served as a key reference point
to assess and validate elements of the Master Plan as they were
developed. The complete matrix can be downloaded from the City
website, http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/parksmasterplan.
Through this process, the principles and goals were derived.
Master Plan Drafting, Review and Adoption
The final phase in the Master Plan process involved the drafting
of this plan document and formal review by the staff, PRC,
stakeholders, the public and City Council. The project team worked
to draft the policy and program and project recommendations.
These were refined with the input of the staff who manage
construction, operations and maintenance of the system, as well
as the input of the PRC and Council. This work formed the basis
for the final chapters of this plan and set a recommended path
forward. The draft plan was presented for review at the PRC as
well as a community workshop with an online comment tool to
collect specific feedback. To pave the way for implementation,
the project team initiated an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration (IS/MND) process to advance the necessary California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation. Following the
public comment period, the plan was presented for adoption by
Palo Alto’s City Council.
CHAPTER2
ELEMENTS OF PALO ALTO’S PARKS, TRAILS, NATURAL OPEN SPACE & RECREATION SYSTEM
FROM ITS EARLIEST YEARS, THE COMMUNITY OF PALO ALTO
HAS INVESTED IN THE SYSTEM OF PARKS, TRAILS, NATURAL
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION, LEAVING A LEGACY OF UNIQUE
AND HIGHLY VALUED LANDS AND FACILITIES. Philanthropic donations, unique partnerships and forward-thinking acquisitions have positioned the system at the forefront of community identity. The level of investment has created a complex system that provides many different recreation opportunities, as well as important natural functions and habitat for wildlife.
To facilitate the analysis and understanding of Palo Alto’s resources, the project team defined three elements that make up the citywide system of parks, natural open space, trails and recreation facilities and programs.
10
THE LANDSCAPE OF PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAIL CONNECTIONS PROVIDE THE SPACE WHERE RECREATION FACILITIES, NATURAL HABITAT AND PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE.
1110
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
These three elements were broken down further into constituent
“components” to provide a reference framework for system analy-
sis, community engagement and development of Master Plan rec-
ommendations. Each of the elements is described below, providing
a view of the system today and highlighting key features.
Parks, Trails and Natural Open Space
The landscape of parks, open spaces and trail connections provides
the space where recreation facilities, natural habitat and programs
take place. Most of Palo Alto’s park sites are set in an urban
context, within neighborhoods connected by city streets. However,
the largest portion of the land in the system is held in natural open
space preserves. An expanding network of trails and bikeways
supplements the sidewalks and streets that connect these assets.
The analysis related to this element includes the proximity of
parklands and recreation activities; opportunities to experience and
protect natural habitats; trail connections; and the comfort and
accessibility of the sites.
The System Today
Palo Alto maintains 174 acres of urban distributed throughout the
city as well as over 4,000 acres in natural open space preserves.
Table 1 lists the Palo Alto parks and natural open spaces. The
majority of the parks in Palo Alto are neighborhood parks, primarily
designed to support the everyday activities of local residents.
Several parks also feature unique facilities such as community
gardens and dog parks. There are several parks that draw visitors
from across the city and from neighboring communities. These
parks typically have a higher concentration of facilities, including
high-quality sports fields. Some of these parks are designed for a
specific use and do not serve immediate neighbors (e.g., Baylands
Athletic Center, El Camino Park and Stanford/Palo Alto Playing
Fields), while others, like Greer, Mitchell and Rinconada Parks, also
function as neighborhood parks. City parks are diverse in size and
amenities, but many are older and/or have aging facilities. Palo Alto
parks are highly developed with maintained landscapes across their
entire acreage. Native species and less manicured landscapes are
ELEMENTS OF THE PALO ALTO SYSTEM
• Parks, Trails and Open Space
• Recreation Facilities
• Recreation Programs
Article VIII of the Municipal
Charter is the authoritative
definition of “parks” in Palo Alto
including the allowed uses of
dedicated park land.
12
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
generally not present. Due to the era when they were built, many
parks are not flexible enough to allow different uses to be layered
in. Rather, they provide a collection of spaces designed for a single
activity. With design interventions, many existing parks have the
potential to support more use and activity.
There are four natural open space preserves: Baylands Nature
Preserve (which includes Byxbee Park), Esther Clark Preserve,
Foothills Park and Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. These sites
are large, are rich in native species of plants and animal habitat
and have extensive internal trail systems. With the exception of
Esther Clark Preserve, the preserves also have recreational and
interpretive facilities.
Palo Alto Open Space has 43.2 miles of trail. The Baylands Nature
Preserve trail system is approximately 15 miles long and Pearson-
Arastradero Preserve trail system is approximately 10.3 miles long.
The existing trail system is largely within parklands, but several
segments of designated or off-street trails connect parks and other
community destinations. Most significant among these are the
Bay to Ridge and San Francisco Bay regional trails. The public trail
system is further enhanced by privately owned trails with public
access, such as the recently completed Stanford Perimeter Trail.
Palo Alto’s parks, trails and natural open spaces are also home to
much of the urban forest. The lands and connections that make up
this element of the system are important to the goals of the City’s
Urban Forest Master Plan.
The Existing Public Parks and Natural Open Space map (Figure
2) depicts all City-owned (or controlled) park sites and natural
open space. Palo Alto Unified School District sites are also
acknowledged on this map due to the longstanding partnership
and their importance as park-like places. A complete set of park site
maps can be found in the Technical Supplement at http://
www.cityofpaloalto.org/parksmasterplan. A detailed inventory of
these sites can be found in Appendix A, which also includes other
recreation facilities that allow public access. While not an exhaustive
list, this inventory includes some of the significant facilities (such as
community centers, the golf course, Gamble Garden and the Winter
Lodge) that are not necessarily on dedicated park land, but add to
recreation opportunities in Palo Alto.
PALO ALTO PARK ACREAGE
Urban Parks: 174
Natural Open Space Preserves: 4,030
NATURAL OPEN SPACE PRESERVES
Baylands Nature Preserve (including
Byxbee Park)
Esther Clark Preserve
Foothills Park
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
1312
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Park or Natural Open Space Ownership Acres
Baylands Athletic Center City of Palo Alto 6
Bol Park City of Palo Alto 13.8
Boulware Park City of Palo Alto 1.5
Bowden Park City of Palo Alto 2
Bowling Green Park City of Palo Alto 1.9
(Juana) Briones Park City of Palo Alto 4.1
Cameron Park City of Palo Alto 1.1
Cogswell Plaza City of Palo Alto 0.5
El Camino Park Stanford*12.2
Eleanor Pardee Park City of Palo Alto 9.6
El Palo Alto Park City of Palo Alto 0.5
Greer Park City of Palo Alto 22
Heritage Park City of Palo Alto 2.0
Hoover Park City of Palo Alto 4.2
Hopkins Creekside City of Palo Alto 12.4
Johnson Park City of Palo Alto 2.5
Kellogg Park City of Palo Alto 0.2
Lytton Plaza City of Palo Alto 0.2
Mayfield Park City of Palo Alto 1.1
Mitchell Park City of Palo Alto 21.4
Monroe Park City of Palo Alto 0.6
Peers Park City of Palo Alto 4.7
Ramos Park City of Palo Alto 4.4
Rinconada Park City of Palo Alto 19
Robles Park City of Palo Alto 4.7
Scott Park City of Palo Alto 0.4
Seale Park City of Palo Alto 4.3
Stanford/Palo Alto Playing Fields Stanford*5.9
Terman Park City of Palo Alto/ PAUSD 7.7
Wallis Park City of Palo Alto 0.3
Weisshaar Park City of Palo Alto 1.1
Werry Park City of Palo Alto 1.1
Williams Park (Museum of American Hertitage)City of Palo Alto 0.7
SUBTOTAL CITY PARKS 174
Baylands Nature Preserve (including Byxbee)City of Palo Alto 1,986
Esther Clark Preserve City of Palo Alto 22
Foothills Park City of Palo Alto 1,400
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve City of Palo Alto 622
SUBTOTAL NATURAL OPEN SPACES 4,030
* The two parks owned by Stanford are leased by the City. The El Camino lease expires in 2042 and the Stanford /Palo Alto Playing Fields lease expires in 2056.
TABLE 1: PALO ALTO PARKS AND NATURAL OPEN SPACES INVENTORY
14
S a n F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C re e k
B arron C reek
Adobe Creek
S tan fo r d
M oun t a i nView
Me n l o P a r k
L o s Al t os
L o s Al t osHills
E a s tPalo A l t o
A t h e rt o n
S a n M a t eo Co u n ty
P ort o la
V a l l ey
San F ranc is c o Ba y
St a n f ord
S a nta C l a ra C o un t y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El
C
a
m
in
o R
e
al
E m b a r c a r d e r o R d Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle st o n R d
El Camino Real
S an d Hill R d
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Figure 8:
Existing Public Parks
& Natural Open Space
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
FIGURE 2: EXISTING PUBLIC PARKS AND NATURAL OPEN SPACES MAP
1514
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
Mo u n tai nView
Menlo Park
Los A lto s
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
S a n Fra n c i s c o B ay
Stanford
Santa Cl a r a Co u n ty
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El
C
a
m
in
o R
e
al
Embarcardero RdMiddlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle s t o n R d
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Figure 8:
Existing Public Parks
& Natural Open Space
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
16
Recreation Facilities
From community centers to sports fields to community gardens,
Palo Alto’s recreation facilities add variety to the experiences pos-
sible at each of Palo Alto’s parks and natural open spaces. Twelve
types of recreation facilities are found throughout the system. In
addition, other specialized recreation facilities such as the skate
park at Greer Park, the lawn bowling green at Bowling Green Park,
and El Camino Park serve specific recreation needs.
The number and type of facilities at each park and preserve are
summarized as part of the detailed inventory of the system found
in Appendix A.
Play Areas
The most common, and expected, feature in a Palo Alto park is a
play area. Typically play areas include a manufactured playground
structure and may or may not include swings or other features.
Mitchell Park has particularly unique play experiences that include
both a historic Royston-designed “gopher holes” play area and the
Magical Bridge Playground, a destination play area designed to be
universally accessible for children of all abilities.
Basketball and Tennis Courts
Courts, primarily for basketball and tennis, are incorporated into
many of Palo Alto’s parks. Most of the courts are provided singly
or in pairs, with the exception of Mitchell and Rinconada Park, with
7 and 9 tennis courts, respectively. These concentrations of tennis
courts provide a higher capacity for play and the potential to host
tournaments.
Rectangular and Diamond Sports Fields
The City owns, manages and maintains dozens of rectangular and
diamond sports fields located throughout the City. Rectangular
fields accommodate a variety of sports, including soccer and foot-
ball. Diamond fields are designed for particular levels of baseball or
softball play. Most of the higher-level sports fields are concentrated
adjacent to Cubberley Community Center or in field complexes such
as the Stanford/Palo Alto Playing Fields and the El Camino Park
sports fields. The City also maintains sports fields on several School
PALO ALTO RECREATION
FACILITIES
• Play Areas
• Basketball Courts
• Tennis Courts
• Rectangular Sports Fields
• Diamond Sports Fields
• Picnic Areas
• Off-Leash Dog Areas
• Community Gardens
• Swimming Pools
• Community Centers
• Special Purpose Buildings in
Parks
• Other Indoor Facilities
• Golf Course
Number of Facilities in Palo Alto
Play Areas 29
Basketball Courts 14
Tennis Courts 28
Rectangular Sports Fields 22
Diamond Sports Fields 10
Picnic Areas 39
Pools*2
Dog Parks 3
Community Centers 3
Community Gardens 4
Interpretive Centers 3
*Two pools at the Rinconada Aquatic Center
TABLE 2: PALO ALTO FACILITY INVENTORY
1716
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
District sites. Some of the sports fields have lighting that allows for
extended play in the evening, a feature that increases the playable
time on a field but is not appropriate for all locations. In addition to
the formally developed sports fields, many parks feature a large
multi-purpose turf area that functions as a sports field for league
and casual sports activities. Reserved use of fields and tennis
courts is governed by the City’s Field Use Policy, which specifies the
preference for local youth play and limits private use.
Picnic Areas
Most of Palo Alto’s parks also include at least one picnic area. Most
of these are small clusters of tables intended for first-come-first-
served use. Foothills Park, Rinconada Park and Mitchell Park have
designated picnic areas that are available for reservation to accom-
modate larger gatherings.
Off-Leash Dog Areas
Three off-leash areas are provided for park users to exercise and
socialize dogs. All three sites, Mitchell Park, Hoover Park and Greer
Park, are separated and fenced (per City policy) to keep off-leash
dogs away from other users and areas of the parks.
Community Gardens
The City also provides four community gardens, two in parks
(at Johnson Park and Eleanor Pardee Park), one adjacent to the
Rinconada Library, and one adjacent to the Ventura Community
Center. These facilities are separated into plots and assigned
(based on an application and permitting process) to individuals for
gardening edible and decorative plants.
Swimming Pool
The Rinconada Pool, located in the park of the same name, is
the City’s only public pool facility. This outdoor facility includes a
wading pool with spray and waterfall features, a small slide and
a zero-depth “beach” area. A second pool features fourteen lanes
and two diving boards. These facilities offer recreational swimming,
lessons and private pool parties through the spring, summer and
late summer and lap swimming year-round.
TABLE 2: PALO ALTO FACILITY INVENTORY
18
Community Centers, Special Purpose Buildings and Other Indoor Facilities
Palo Alto maintains both general and specialized indoor recreation
facilities. The two largest facilities are the Cubberley Communi-
ty Center and the Lucie Stern Community Center, which offer a
wide variety of programs. However, neither was designed or built
primarily as a recreation facility or to provide the mix of programs
they currently offer. The majority of the Cubberley site is owned by
the Palo Alto Unified School District, with the balance owned by the
City. This site is home to a wide range of programs, largely run by
partner organizations. This facility is also home to the only gym-
nasiums scheduled by the City. The future of this site and a future
redevelopment of the facilities there for school and community use,
is the subject of ongoing collaboration between the City and the
School District.
The Lucie Stern Center is a historic building, which opened in 1934
and shares a campus with the Junior Museum and Zoo, as well
as the Children’s Theatre and is adjacent to Rinconada Park. The
formal ballroom and community rooms are ideal for events and
meetings of varying sizes and are used for a wide range of indoor
recreation activities, such as regularly scheduled fitness and
wellness classes. This building is also home to the administration of
Community Services and the Recreation Services division.
The brand new Mitchell Park Community Center, adjacent to the
new Mitchell Park Library, is designed for flexibility with some spe-
cialized spaces. The building includes a teen center that faces the
park (and the middle school beyond it) and has several large spaces
that can be configured into multiple class or meeting rooms. An
outdoor courtyard and the large El Palo Alto room host numerous
personal, business and community events.
Other buildings and major facilities are more specialized, focusing
on a narrower range of functions and representing a significant
community investment in one area. This includes the Palo Alto Arts
Center, which hosts the visual arts programming provided by the
City, as well as visitor centers and other interpretive facilities at
1918
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Palo Alto’s natural open space preserves.
Recreation Programs
The programming of recreation activities, ranging from sports and
fitness to specialized classes, is the most flexible and dynamic
element of the system. Many programs can be held in the most
basic of meeting rooms or outdoor spaces, making programming
the best way to utilize and activate existing facilities and spaces.
Palo Alto benefits from a mix of public, non-profit and private
recreation program providers, each working in specific segments
of the recreation marketplace. In many cases, programming is
provided by private providers (often small businesses) within a
City of Palo Alto facility, or a City program may be held in a partner
facility such as a School District gym. These partnerships create
new opportunities to reach new participants and promote Palo Alto
as a place to learn, exercise and have fun.
PALO ALTO RECREATION
PROGRAM AREAS
• Adult Aquatics
• Adult Fitness
• Adult Special Interest Classes
• Adult Sports
• Day Camps
• Middle School Athletics
• Open Space/Outdoor
Recreation
• Youth and Teen Aquatics
• Youth and Teen Sports
• Youth and Teen Special
Interest Classes
• Youth and Teen Sports Camps
• Special Events
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Senior Programs
20
Recreation Services
The Recreation Division of the Community Services Department of-
fers more than 1,300 classes, teams or camps across the fourteen
program areas. These programs served over 13,000 participants
in 2014-15. Over half of this number were youth-and teen-fo-
cused swimming programs and day camps. The Recreation Division
categorizes its recreation programs into fourteen areas, by age and
topic.
Sports programs, particularly middle school athletics and adult
sports, are operating over capacity, with full teams and waitlists
for most offerings. These programs are not easily expanded, as
they rely on limited gym and field space. Middle school athletics are
further constrained by a lack of coaches.
Other Providers
The City of Palo Alto also offers programming through other divi-
sions of Community Services, including the Art Center, Children’s
Theatre and Junior Museum and Zoo, and separate entities, includ-
ing the Palo Alto Library. Programs offered by these other divisions
serve thousands of additional adults, youth and teens. Many of
Day
Camps
Youth
& Teen
Sports
Camps
Adult Fitness
Open Space/Outdoor
Recreation
Adult Special
Interest Classes
Middle
School
Athletics
Youth
& Teen
Sports
Youth &Teen
Aquatics
Adult
Sports
Youth & Teen
Special Interest Classes
Community Gardens
FIGURE 3: PROGRAM AREAS BY NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
2120
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, & Recreation SYSTEM ELEMENTS
these programs have waitlists, partly because of limited space in
the specialized buildings associated with these divisions.
In addition to the City, the other major providers of recreation pro-
gramming in Palo Alto include the Palo Alto Unified School District
as well as many private businesses and non-profit organizations
who operate in partnership with the City:
•Avenidas
•Abilities United
•Ballet and Dance Studios
•Golf Pro Shop
•Community Sports Organizations (Little League, Soccer
Club, Lacrosse, Swim Club, etc.)
•Master Gardeners and Garden Shops
•Martial Arts Studios
•Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (JCC)
•Palo Alto Family YMCA
•Private Childcare Providers
•Private Gyms and Fitness Centers
•Stanford University
•University Club of Palo Alto
•Women’s Club of Palo Alto
CHAPTER3
ANALYSIS & ASSESSMENT
THE MASTER PLAN WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH A
COMPREHENSIVE, DATA-DRIVEN AND COMMUNITY-FOCUSED
PROCESS AND INCLUDES AN ARRAY OF ASSESSMENT, ANALYSIS
AND OUTREACH STRATEGIES. The results of the process provide a detailed understanding of Palo Alto’s current system of parks, trails, natural open space, recreation facilities and recreation programs and services. In addition, the process identifies current and future needs of the community it serves and opportunities for system enhancement.
24
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
RESIDENTS WANT A HIGH-QUALITY, RESILIENT PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM THAT EMBRACES AND PROTECTS THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ADAPTS TO CHANGING NEEDS AND SERVES A GROWING VARIETY OF INTERESTS.
2524
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
The identified needs and possible opportunities to enhance the
parks and recreation system is based on three types of data and
analyses:
1) Demographic and Recreation Trends - Quantitative
forecasts of previously published data on growth trends
in areas such as overall population and growth of key
demographic segments.
2) System Analysis - Park, facility and program inventory
data including the quantity and location of parks; field, pool
and other facility usage program registration; and other
similar inventory data.
3) Community Engagement Results - Qualitative data
compiled from the input of citizens and stakeholders
through a multitude of outreach tools.
Ultimately these data sources resulted in the “findings”
summarized in this chapter. The findings address the most notable
population-based shifts supported by population and demographic
growth forecasts that the City will need to accommodate and
respond to in the next ten to twenty years. Conclusions drawn from
the system analysis identified needs currently not being met or
that will not be met in future years and are considered gaps in the
system, or “needs” for the City. Community preferences identified
in the community engagement and outreach phase identified
areas that the City can evaluate and implement to address citizens’
“votes” in various forums provided during this study. These are
community “wants” versus demonstrated gaps or needs.
The following sections describe the analysis completed and key
findings from the process. More detailed versions of the reports
and work products summarized here can be found in the Technical
Supplement on the City website.
Demographic and Recreation Trends
The project team evaluated the existing demographic profile of
Palo Alto, including population, household characteristics and
transportation behavior, to identify patterns and trends that
influence recreation needs and preferences. In addition, this
analysis evaluated regional and national trends in health, sports,
socializing, recreation, family and urban form for their potential to
affect the direction of the Master Plan.
26
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
KEY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA AND TRENDS
Population
Over the past five years, Palo Alto has grown faster than projected,
with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The population of
Palo Alto in 2015, as estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau, was
66,853. Additionally, the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update (Draft
Environmental Impact Report, 2016) contemplates housing
scenarios that would exceed current total population projections,
indicating potential for an even greater rate of growth over the
life of this Master Plan. Meeting the demands of Palo Alto’s
growing population without compromising the level of service
will require significant investment in park and recreation facilities,
maintenance and programming.
Roughly 60,000 commuters come to Palo Alto to work, along
with thousands of Stanford students, resulting in a daytime
population well in excess of the City’s resident population. Efforts
to better understand the park and recreation use patterns of this
sizable group should inform strategic planning around facilities,
maintenance and programming.
Housing and Income
Over half (57.5%) of Palo Alto residents live in single-family
detached homes, while over one third (37.9%) live in multifamily
units. As Palo Alto expands its housing stock, the City anticipates
that the vast majority of new housing will be multi-family units
(Comprehensive Plan Update Draft EIR, 2016). This shift to a
housing type that lacks the private open space typical of a single
family home will create an increasing need for publicly accessible
outdoor space and recreation opportunities.
Median household income in Palo Alto grew by 73% between 1990
and 2012, to $118,936 per household. However, housing costs
have also increased dramatically. The median home sales price in
Palo Alto in 2013 was more than two and a half times that of the
county median price, and rental prices in 2014 were more than
double county-wide fair market rental prices (Comprehensive Plan
Update Draft EIR, 2016). Palo Alto’s high median income conceals
the economic challenges faced by many residents spending an
increasing amount on housing. Recreation is a crucial quality of life
asset, and people with less disposable income rely more heavily on
public recreation facilities. Planning for parks and recreation should
reflect the unique local economic conditions in Palo Alto and not
rely heavily on statewide or regional data to determine income-
based trends or demand.
Low Projection (City of Palo Alto Scenario 1)
High Projection (Association of Bay Area Governments)
Population 2014 66,800 66,800
Population 2030 72,285 77,100
Percent Change 8%15%
TABLE 3: CITY OF PALO ALTO PROJECTED POPULATION
Source: City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Update Draft EIR
2726
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Transportation
The city has a significant share of commuters who travel by bike
(11%) and has seen a sizable increase in student ridership, with
approximately 40% of high school students and many elementary
and middle school students bicycling to school. Palo Alto can
support and expand this popular mode choice by providing safe
routes to parks and recreation facilities. In addition to providing safe
bike routes, users should be encouraged to use alternative modes
of transportation, such as the Palo Alto free shuttle, to parks and
recreation faclities.
Demographic Groups
National and regional recreation trends emphasize an outdoor
lifestyle, physical and mental health, diverse options for older
adults at multiple stages of life, universal design and access for
people of all abilities and a movement to connect children with
nature. These trends point to several specific segments within the
population that require special consideration in this plan.
While the average age of residents is increasing, the city has a
sizable population of children under 18 years of age. Seniors and
children represent the largest growth segments in Palo Alto since
1980 and stand at 17% and 23%, respectively, of the City’s total
population. These age groups are, anecdotally, high users of parks
and recreation facilities and services in Palo Alto and are the most
likely to access facilities by walking or biking.
Youth and Teens
Palo Alto’s under 18 population has grown steadily over the past 25
years, representing the City’s fastest growing age segment (totaling
15,019 in 2010). However, PAUSD projects a downward trend
in school enrollment beginning in year 2020. Currently, PAUSD
assumptions about future new housing types and volume differ
from those used in the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update analysis,
leading to inconsistent projections regarding the future size of Palo
Alto’s school-aged population. Once the updated Comprehensive
Plan is completed it will be important to coordinate assumptions
about housing growth and student generation rates in order to plan
appropriately to serve this large segment of the population.
Efforts have grown in recent years to build stronger community
connections for area teens. Innovative programs such as Maker
Space and Think Fund teen grants (previously Bryant Street Garage
Fund) are gaining popularity. Additional programs such as The Drop
TABLE 4: CITY OF PALO ALTO KEY AGE
GROUPS
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 5-Year American Community Survey
Age Percent
Persons under 5 years 5.1%
Persons under 18 years 23.3%
Persons 65 years and over 16.9%
28
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
teen center and LEAP (Learning Enrichment After School Program)
are also well attended. Additional teen programs are needed
to better tailor offerings to attract broader teen participation
consistent with the goals of Project Safety Net.
Seniors
The senior population is large and rapidly increasing. One-half of
all Palo Alto residents are expected to be age 55 or above by 2030.
In 2000, it was projected that the senior population for Palo Alto
and surrounding cities will double between 2000 and 2020 and
will continue to grow until 2040 (Source: Avenidas), as illustrated
in Figure 4. As more seniors choose to “age in place,” programming
and services must evolve to address new demands.
Special Needs
Though the majority of Palo Alto residents with disabilities are
65 or older (2,842 people), our community is also home to an
unusually high number of special needs students (1,100 students
in PAUSD as of September 2014). These two growing population
segments call for expanded inclusion efforts related to facilities,
services and programming.
Ethnicity and Culture
Figure 5 illustrates U.S. Census data showing Palo Alto’s cultural
and ethnic diversity is steadily expanding. In the past decade, the
City’s Asian population alone grew by 10 percentage points. Of all
FIGURE 4: PROJECTED GROWTH IN PALO ALTO’S SENIOR POPULATION
Source: Avenidas
PROJECT SAFETY NET
“Project Safety Net is a
collaborative community network
held together by a common
interest of fostering youth well-
being in Palo Alto. Our mission
is to develop and implement a
community-based mental health
plan that includes education,
prevention and intervention
strategies that together provide a
“safety net” for youth in Palo Alto,
and defines our community’s teen
suicide prevention efforts.”
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Palo Altans, 31% are foreign-born and 38% speak a language other
than English at home. PAUSD data reveals that the City’s minority
population is young, with a higher rate of Hispanic/Latinos and
Asians in the school system (11% Hispanic/Latino and 39% Asian)
than in the general population of Palo Alto. Sensitivity and attention
to the needs of this growing and significant segment of the
population will require expanded outreach, partnership with PAUSD
and targeted efforts at inclusion.
System Analysis
The analysis of the system began with a site visit to each park,
facility and preserve to document and evaluate existing conditions
to develop an accurate and in-depth foundation of baseline
information. The observations recorded during these visits are
compiled within a set of existing conditions maps. These maps
include the history, a summary of features and a description
of opportunities and constraints for each site. Each map also
incorporates site-specific public input gathered through the
community engagement process. For the full set of existing
conditions maps, see the Technical Supplement on the City website.
Geographic Analysis
A geographic analysis of the parks, trails and natural open space
system evaluated walkability and accessibility. A Geographic
FIGURE 5: PALO ALTO RACE AND ETHNICITY
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
White Black or African
American
American Indian
and AlaskaNative
Asian Native Hawaiian/
Other PacificIslander
Two or More
Races
Hispanic or
Latino
2000 2010 2014
30
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Information Systems (GIS) model of the surrounding streets,
sidewalks, trails and pathways was constructed using ESRI
Network Analyst software to identify “walksheds” or catchment
areas for each park, reflecting the way people move through the
city. The analysis used ¼ and ½ mile travel distances, reflecting
research on the distance a typical person can walk in five and ten
minutes, respectively. This analysis refined the understanding of
the ½ mile distance often cited as walking distance and aligned
with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The project team also
factored in physical barriers that impede access, incorporating
feedback from the public engagement process about specific
streets and intersections people report as being difficult to cross.
Figure 6, on page 32, shows the ¼ and ½ mile walksheds for all
parks in Palo Alto.
Many communities also analyze park systems using a function-
based parks classification scheme (neighborhood parks, community
parks, regional parks). However, the parks in Palo Alto serve
multiple and often overlapping functions. Community feedback
indicated that people in Palo Alto are looking for the park system
to deliver five categories of activities on a widely accessible basis,
regardless of how the park is classified functionally. The analysis
assessed the community’s access to each of these activities by
defining criteria for each category and applying the criteria to the
geographic analysis model.
The five categories of activity and their analysis criteria are
summarized below.
• Relax and Enjoy Outdoors. Palo Altans place a high value
on parks that provide a quiet and calm place to relax and
enjoy the outdoors. While most Palo Alto parks support
this activity, some parks experience noise from highway/
road traffic or from heavy sports use. Comments made by
the public on the online interactive map (and confirmed by
site visits) also identified parks without quiet areas.
• Play for Children. Children and youth were regularly cited
as one of the most important audiences for the park
system. Parks containing a playground, play area or unique
play feature (sculpture, nature play, etc.) best support this
audience.
• Throw a Ball. This activity encompasses kicking, hitting
and throwing balls and other objects such as Frisbees,
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
including both self-directed and league-based play. Parks
containing open turf areas, sports fields, or courts best
support this activity.
• Exercise and Fitness. Health and wellness have been
shown to be important to Palo Alto residents in this and
other planning processes. Parks with perimeter or looped
paths support both walking and running, which are the top
recreation activities both in Palo Alto and in the country.
Palo Alto’s Rinconada Pool also provides an exercise option
for swimmers.
• Gathering. The Palo Alto park system is an important
provider of space for family, friends and the larger
community to gather for picnics, social events and group
activities. Formal picnic areas, shelters and features such
as amphitheaters facilitate this activity.
GEOGRAPHIC NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The spatial analysis revealed the following:
• Most Palo Alto residents have access to a city park within
a ¼ to ½ mile. Gaps exist north of the Oregon Expressway
near Highway 101 and along Sand Hill Road near
commercial and institutional land uses. Adding additional
parks or park-like lands can improve park accessibility
for residents in these areas. Fewer neighborhoods have
activity access to all five identified activities within a ½ mile.
• Parks that offer exercise and fitness opportunities are
more common south of the Oregon Expressway. The
addition of exercise opportunities to north Palo Alto parks
should be considered.
• Dog parks are all located south of the Oregon Expressway.
Since dog owners prefer to use dog parks near their
residences, adding dog parks to north Palo Alto parks will
improve residents’ dog exercise opportunities.
• Community gardens are currently located entirely north of
Oregon Expressway The addition of community gardens
in south Palo Alto can improve garden access for those
residents.
32
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C r e e k
B arron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stan f o r d
M o unt a i nView
M enlo P a r k
L o s Al t o s
Lo s A l to s
Hill s
E a stPalo A lto
A t her t on
S a n M a t eo Co unt y
Po rtol aValley
S an F r a n cis co Ba y
S t a n f o rd
S a n ta C l a r a Co unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Emb a r c a rd e r o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle s t o n Rd
El Camino Real
San d Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Walksheds
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
FIGURE 6: PARK WALKSHEDS MAP
3332
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
Mo untai nView
Menlo Park
Los A l to s
Los Altos
Hills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
Sa n F ra nc i sc o B a y
Stanford
Santa C l a r a C ount y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Walksheds
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
34
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
• Palo Alto does not have a public gym, and the City’s only
public pool is located north of Oregon Expressway. The
addition of a public pool or improving access to other public
or private pools should be explored to provide more access
during peak times.
Additional geographic analysis evaluated access to experiences,
natural open space and recreation facilities that were identified
as highly desired by the community during the intercept surveys.
These include:
• The experience and preservation of nature;
• Improved ease of access to natural open space preserves
(e.g., bike routes and shuttles);
• Community gardening;
• Recreation with dogs; and
• Gymnasiums and swimming pools.
Recreation Program Analysis
To evaluate the capacity of Palo Alto’s facilities and programs to
meet demand, the data on reservations, minimum participation,
program registrations and waitlists was analyzed along with
observations collected from staff and consultants. A crucial
performance indicator in recreation programming is enrollment at
or above minimum participation, which is the minimum number
of participants needed to achieve the cost recovery goals of each
class. These goals are set according to the City’s cost recovery
policy and the individual class budget. This, along with classes
indicated as full or with waitlists, provided insight into the capacity
and demand for categories and specific types of programs.
RECREATION PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
• The highest participation in City programs is in sports
(adult and youth), aquatics (youth and teen) and day
camps. Continued demand for these program areas is
anticipated, and program offerings should respond to this
demand.
• The current policy of “everyone plays” is widely supported
for middle school athletics. Since limited gym and field
space makes it difficult to expand these programs, the
City and PAUSD should consider additional facilities or
improved scheduling to maximize student involvement
3534
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
in these popular programs. Furthermore, a shortage of
instructors and coaches exacerbates the difficulty of
expanding these programs. Recruitment, training and
increased pay should be considered to improve the supply
of qualified instructors and coaches.
• Demand for some classes and programs varies greatly by
time of day. The program scheduling should attempt to
provide additional classes during the most popular times.
• A limited number of gymnasiums available to the
public and the lack of a City-owned gym complicate
the expansion of most sports programs. Increasing
sports facilities, sharing of facilities and adjusting facility
scheduling should be investigated.
• Academic support programs offered to youth and teens
are typically operating under capacity. Improved marketing
and updated offerings should be considered to increase
the popularity of these programs, or resources should be
shifted to other types of teen programming.
• Programs offered by the Art Center, the Junior Museum
and Zoo and the Children’s Theatre serve thousands
of additional adults, youth and teens. Many of these
programs have waitlists, partly because of limited
space in the specialized buildings associated with these
divisions. Adjusting the scheduling of current facilities and
developing access to other facilities (such as PAUSD) may
increase the number of people that can be served by these
popular programs.
Community Engagement Results
A variety of community engagement efforts, conducted at
several stages in the process, collected input from hundreds of
residents and stakeholders. The input of community members and
stakeholders guided decisions about where to focus assessment
efforts. Resident and stakeholder input highlighted the need to look
at walkability and park access, as well as access to highly desired
experiences, such as play for children. In addition, the analysis
examined equitable distribution and need for specific facilities, such
as restrooms, dog parks and community gardens, as a result of the
36
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
community interest in these features.
Community feedback largely confirms conclusions drawn from
the demographic trends analysis. The following section describes
the key topics and themes that emerged from the Master Plan
community engagement process.
KEY COMMUNITY TOPICS AND THEMES
The following topics and themes were referenced multiple times by
the community, City staff, partners and decision makers. The key
themes were critical in shaping the overall analysis of the system
and provided direction for the development of the Master Plan
principles, goals, policies and recommended actions.
• Respondents value, support and appreciate their park
system. They recognize that it is a high-quality system.
• Respondents believe that strategic enhancements and
improvements are needed to better meet evolving needs
and trends, adapt to growth and changing demographics
and continue to provide world-class experiences to
residents.
• Limited land availability and high cost is seen as the major
limiting factor to pursuing new park opportunities.
• Providing accessible and safe active transportation
(walking, biking, etc.) routes to natural open space,
community centers and parks is a high priority.
• Enhancing physical and mental well-being is a critical
function of parks for Palo Altans. Loop trails, bicycle and
pedestrian paths to parks and places to relax are top
priorities, along with exercise equipment or additional
classes.
• Protection of nature is very important to residents. There
is widespread support for the continued protection,
enhancement and restoration of open spaces and wildlife
habitat.
• Residents want to feel connected to nature in their urban
parks. There is interest in adding nature play elements and
wildlife habitats to more traditional park settings.
• There is widespread interest in bringing community
gardens, dog parks and aquatic facilities to new areas
of the city to improve access to these amenities for all
neighborhoods.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THEMES
• Walkability and Access to
Parks and Preserves
• Activity Access:
ºPlay for Children
ºExercise and Fitness
ºThrow a Ball
ºGathering
ºRelax and Enjoy the
Outdoors
• Experience Nature
• Preservation of Nature
• Trail Connections
• Availability of Restrooms
• Site Amenities and
Experience
• Universal Accessibility
3736
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
• Residents strongly support improved and additional
restrooms in parks. In addition, there is a clear preference
for features and amenities that support comfort,
convenience and longer stays at parks, including water
fountains and places to sit.
• The Palo Alto community strongly supports universal
design and access, and there is interest in adding inclusive
play elements to more parks.
• Current policies that prioritize the availability of facilities
for Palo Alto residents are widely supported and
stakeholders generally agree that providing services to
local residents is a higher priority than providing regional
attractions.
• Residents would like to see enhancements to parks
throughout the City, including more types of play
experiences and environments. There is also support
for smaller, more locally focused events and programs
(e.g., movies in the park) that are held in different parks
throughout the City.
• The community strongly supports the kinds of local and
regional partnerships (particularly with the School District)
that expand recreation opportunities and services for
youth, teens and residents of all ages and abilities.
Needs and Opportunities Summary
Review of the data from the Technical Assessment and Analysis
and the Community and Stakeholder Engagement tied these two
tracks of the Master Plan process together in preparation for
Developing and Prioritizing Projects. As described in Chapter 1,
this process produced a detailed reference matrix (with supporting
documentation) identifying needs and opportunities across the
system.
The Data and Opportunities Summary Matrix included in the
technical supplement synthesizes findings from both the Technical
Assessment and Analysis and the Community and Stakeholder
Engagement tracks across nine topics:
• Current service/inventory
• Level of control
38
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
• Geographic analysis
• Capacity/bookings
• Perception of quality
• Expressed need
• Demographic trends
• Barriers to participation
• Projected demand
The final step of the process was to summarize opportunities
to enhance Palo Alto’s system through the addition, distribution
or modification of a particular element and component. These
actions were prioritized to develop the Master Plan’s final
recommendations, based on the constraints posed by limited land,
staff, funding and other resources in the community.
Key Findings
The review of the matrix identified groupings of opportunities
that had emerged from the many analysis and community input
activities. The opportunities were crafted into a set of twelve Areas
of Focus, which represent a major development step toward goals
for the master plan. The Areas of Focus are:
• Distributing park and recreation activities and experiences
across the city
• Improving the accessibility of the full range of park and
recreation opportunities
• Exploring new types of programs, classes, events and
activities for all ages and abilities
• Improving and enhancing community center and recreation
spaces across the community
• Enhancing capacity and quality of sports fields
• Increasing the variety of things to do in existing parks
• Enhancing comfort and making parks more welcoming
• Increasing health and wellness opportunities in parks and
programs
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
• Integrating nature into Palo Alto parks
• Improving spaces and increasing options for off-leash dogs
• Expanding the system
• Offering more of the existing programs, classes and events
The community prioritization challenge, a combination of online
survey and in-person workshop, reviewed the community’s
opinions of these areas. Participants were asked to allocate a
$10 budget across each of the areas of focus, with the amounts
allocated indicating the priority they place on a particular area.
The analysis of the results reflects the strong interest heard
throughout the process for community center space improvements,
integrating nature more thoroughly in the park system and making
parks more welcoming.
A relatively smaller number of participants placed a very high
priority (and resulting larger budget allocation) on improving options
for off-leash dogs.
These results of the community prioritization challenge provided
additional insight into the community’s opinions about the future
of Palo Alto’s parks and recreation. The full summary is available in
the technical supplement.
Figure 7 shows a sample survey question result. Full results are
available in the technical supplement.
FIGURE 7: PRIORITIZATION CHALLENGE RESULTS
40
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Opportunities for the System
Three concept maps (Figures 8-10) illustrate opportunities to
further create a multi-layered system of parklands and connections
that serves both people and natural systems. The maps can also
serve as tools for supporting decisions on individual policies,
programs and projects.
EXPAND THE SYSTEM
Figure 8 identifies areas of Palo Alto where residents lack access to
parks and natural open spaces within ¼ mile of their homes. These
“park search areas,” labeled A through E for planning purposes, will
help the City focus future park additions in neighborhoods with
the greatest need: for example, those with the highest density
and/or largest population. Meanwhile, public access to school
grounds that fall within park search areas (noted in purple) should
be maintained and expanded to better support neighborhood park
uses and enhance their natural open space value. Other City-
owned properties (noted in brown) may represent future park
opportunities, but nearly all of these lands fall outside of the park
search areas.
CONNECT THE SYSTEM
A selection of Palo Alto’s existing and planned bikeways and
pedestrian routes can be leveraged to improve park and recreation
access. Figure 9 illustrates this potential network of trails and
enhanced roadways that connect neighborhoods to local and
regional parks, recreation facilities and natural open spaces.
These routes are part of the City’s adopted Bicycle Pedestrian
Transportation Plan and the Santa Clara County Countywide Trails
Master Plan Update. Recommended enhanced routes, labeled
1 through 3 for planning purposes, provide main north to south
travel corridors between Palo Alto’s parks and into neighboring
communities. Regional and countywide trails like the Adobe Creek
Connector and San Francisco Bay trails provide similar travel
corridors from Foothills Park and Pearson-Arastradero Preserve in
the southwest to the Baylands Nature Preserve and other shoreline
parks and natural open spaces to the northeast. Recommended
park connectors complete the network by linking the remaining
park sites.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
CONNECT NATURAL SYSTEMS
Figure 10 illustrates how the same corridors recommended for
bike and pedestrian enhancements can also provide connectivity
for natural systems. Landscape design features such as increased
urban forest canopy, native species plantings and stormwater
bioswales can create safe paths of travel and provide habitat value
for local wildlife. Creek and riparian enhancements, supported
by these “pollinator pathways,” would improve water quality and
habitat connections between regionally significant habitats in the
hills and in the bay. New street and park trees would benefit areas
that currently have low tree canopy coverage, highlighted in tan.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY SITES
In the overall context of limited land, three properties in Palo Alto
represent unique opportunities, as they are already owned by the
City and are not yet designated for a specific use. These three sites
each have unique opportunities for park development, but also
constraints. The status of each is summarized below:
• Cubberley Community Center: The City owns 8 of the 35
acres of this former high school campus and has managed
leases within the buildings with a number of community
organizations and businesses while also scheduling the
gym and field space. The City and the Palo Alto Unified
School District have agreed to jointly master plan the
redevelopment of the site by 2020.
• Foothills Park Expansion: The City acquired 7.7 acres of
land adjacent to Foothills Park and has dedicated it as an
expansion of the park. The expansion is cut off from the
developed portion of the park by the existing maintenance
facility. Discussion of the future of this site is pending the
results of the Buckeye Creek hydrology study, which will be
completed in summer 2017.
• Baylands Athletic Center Expansion: As a result of the
redesign of the Palo Alto Golf Course, 10.5 acres of land
was added to the adjacent Baylands Athletic Center site
for future recreation opportunities. Considerations for
developing this site include its relative isolation from
residences (and access through a complicated and heavily
impacted roadway exchange), its proximity to adjacent
park sites, site limitations due to wetlands and its location
below the mean projected high water line after 3 feet of
sea level rise, which could influence the type of recreation
opportunities at the site.
42
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
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Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B:
Lowest population and
lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E:
Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
FIGURE 8: PARK SEARCH AREAS MAP
4342
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
e
San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
C
r
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e
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Adob
e
C
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e
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Stanford
Mountain
View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los Altos
Hills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Pag
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Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B:
Lowest population and
lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E:
Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
44
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Palo Alto Airport
Date: July 2017Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle
and Pedestrian Routes
Regional and Countywide Trails
(Adobe Creek Connector,
San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
2
2
1
1
3
3 e
S a n F rancisquito Creek
Matader o C r e e k
Barron
C
r
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k
Adob
e
C
r
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e
k
Stanford
Mountain
View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los Altos
Hills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Pag
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FIGURE 9: BIKEWAYS AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES MAP
4544
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Palo Alto Airport
Date: July 2017Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle
and Pedestrian Routes
Regional and Countywide Trails
(Adobe Creek Connector,
San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
2
2
1
1
3
3 e
San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
C
r
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e
k
Adob
e
C
r
e
e
k
Stanford
Mountain
View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los Altos
Hills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Pag
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46
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Pollinator Pathways
Community Gardens
Wetland Habitat
Riparian Connected Parks
Creeks/ Riparian Enhancements
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Mean Projected High Water -
3 ft Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Creeks and Channels
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
Natural System Features
City Park
City Natural Open Spaces
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Water Bodies
Urban Canopy Target Areas
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in the Bayland Preserve:
Western burrowing owlCalifornia seabliteNorthern coastal salt marsh
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in San Francisquito Creek:
SteelheadCalifornia red legged frogWestern pond turtleShowy rancheria clover
Valley oak woodland
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Pearson-Arastradero Preserve:Western pond turtle
Serpentine bunchgrass
Indian Valley bush-mallow
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in Foothills Park:
Western Leatherwood
Valley oak woodland
Regional Habitat
Connection Concept
e
S a n F rancisquito Creek
Matader o C r e e k
Barron
C
r
e
e
k
Adob
e
C
r
e
e
k
Stanford
Mountain
View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Pag
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FIGURE 10: NATURAL SYSTEMS MAP
4746
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT
Pollinator Pathways
Community Gardens
Wetland Habitat
Riparian Connected Parks
Creeks/ Riparian Enhancements
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Mean Projected High Water -
3 ft Sea Level Rise (NOAA)
Creeks and Channels
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
Natural System Features
City Park
City Natural Open Spaces
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
Private Recreation
?»E
%&j(
?»E
IÆ
IÆ
°0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Water Bodies
Urban Canopy Target Areas
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in the Bayland Preserve:
Western burrowing owlCalifornia seabliteNorthern coastal salt marsh
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in San Francisquito Creek:
SteelheadCalifornia red legged frogWestern pond turtleShowy rancheria clover
Valley oak woodland
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species in Pearson-Arastradero Preserve:Western pond turtle
Serpentine bunchgrass
Indian Valley bush-mallow
Special Status Wildlife and Plant Species
in Foothills Park:
Western Leatherwood
Valley oak woodland
Regional Habitat
Connection Concept
e
San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
C
r
e
e
k
Adob
e
C
r
e
e
k
Stanford
Mountain
View
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Pag
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x
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CHAPTER 4
THROUGH THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS, THE PALO ALTO
COMMUNITY HAS DEFINED A FUTURE FOR PARKS, TRAILS,
NATURAL OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION. Distilled community input and themes from the analysis process result in principles, goals and system-wide concepts that describe the community’s long-term vision for the future system.
The principles and goals will be realized through the recommended programs described in this chapter. The recommendations were developed through an assessment of community input and an analysis of needs and opportunities. These recommendations reflect both changing needs and evolving demands for parks, trails, natural open space and recreation. They are organized within the framework of the eight principles and six goals, with policies and programs following each goal.
OUR FUTURE: PRINCIPLES, GOALS,POLICIES, PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
50
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
A MULTI-LAYERED SYSTEM OF PARKLANDS AND CONNECTIONS THAT SERVE BOTH PEOPLE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS.
5150
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Principles
Building on our assets, our vision for the continuing evolution of the
park system is encapsulated in the following eight principles:
• Playful: Inspires imagination and joy.
• Healthy: Supports the physical and mental health and
well-being of individuals as well as the connectedness
and cohesion of the community.
• Sustainable: Stewards natural, economic and social
resources for a system that endures for the long term.
• Inclusive: Responsive to the entire Palo Alto community:
all ages, abilities, languages, cultures and levels of
income.
• Accessible: Easy for people of all abilities to use year-
round and to get to by all modes of travel.
• Flexible: Supports multiple uses across time with
adaptable spaces that can accommodate traditional,
emerging and future uses.
• Balanced: Is not dominated by any one type of
experience or place and includes both historic elements
and cutting-edge features, highly manicured and more
organic spaces and self-directed and programmed
activities.
• Nature: Incorporates native species and habitat
corridors, and creates opportunities to learn about and
interact with nature.
Together, these principles provide the foundation for the Master
Plan.
Master Plan Goals
The input from the community, including all twelve areas of focus,
form the long-term direction for the City’s park and recreation
system. The following six goals state the outcomes and provide an
organizational structure for the policies, programs and projects that
form the recommendations of this plan:
1. Provide high-quality facilities and services that are
accessible, inclusive and distributed equitably across
Palo Alto.
52
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
2. Enhance the capacity, quality and variety of uses of the
existing system of parks, recreation and open space
facilities and services.
3. Create environments that encourage regular active and
passive activities to support health, wellness and social
connections.
4. Preserve and integrate nature, natural systems and
ecological principles throughout Palo Alto.
5. Develop innovative programs, services and strategies
for expanding the system.
6. Manage Palo Alto’s land and services effectively,
efficiently and sustainably utilizing quantitative and
qualitative measures.
Recommended Programs
The goals, policies and programs are intended to be a guide for
decision making. Choices will need to be made annually through the
City budget process, recognizing that the City has limited resources,
multiple priorities and competing resource needs. The goals, polices
and programs that follow represent a path to a preferred future.
It is aspirational, while also tangible, providing a specific menu of
potential investment and resource allocation opportunities for the
parks, trails, natural open space and recreation system. Chapter
5 provides tools and recommendations on how the community
and City can effectively evaluate options and make sound and
reliable choices to improve the parks, trails, natural open space and
recreation system.
Each goal is numbered, and under each goal a list of related
policies is provided. The policies are numbered according to goal
and ordered by letter for easy reference (1.A, 1.B, 1.C, 2.A, 2.B,
etc.). Most policies are followed by a list of programs, which have
complementary numbering (1.A.1, 1.A.2, 2.A.1, etc.). The numbering
is for reference only. Prioritization is covered in Chapter 5.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 1: Provide high-quality facilities and services that are accessible, affordable, inclusive and distributed equitably across Palo Alto.
Policy
1.A Emphasize equity and affordability in the provision
of programs and services and the facilitation of
partnerships, to create recreation opportunities that:
• Advance skills, build community and improve the quality
of life among participants, especially Palo Alto youth,
teens and seniors; and
• Are available at a wide range of facilities, at an increased
number of locations that are well distributed throughout
the City.
PROGRAMS
1.A.1 Periodically evaluate the use and effectiveness of the Fee
Reduction Program for low-income and disabled residents.
1.A.2 Develop free or low-cost teen programs that develop
life skills and developmental assets, such as leadership,
community service and health.
1.A.3 Develop a teen advisory committee to provide feedback on
newly proposed parks, recreation and open space projects
and programs.
1.A.4 Partner with local recreation providers to relocate existing
programs or offer new programs in Palo Alto parks.
1.A.5 Recruit or develop programs for additional and alternative
sports that can take place in existing parks and make use
of existing outdoor recreation facilities. Examples include
cross country running, track and field, rugby and pickleball.
1.A.6 Expand offerings of preserves’ interpretive facilities to area
schools through curriculum packages (backpacks, crates,
etc.) that can be brought into the field or the classroom.
1.A.7 Evaluate the geographic distribution of program offerings
and make adjustments to equally offer programs
throughout the City.
e
San Francisquito Creek
Matadero Creek
Barron
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e
k
Adob
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C
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e
k
Stanford
MountainView
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
Park Search Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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Park Search Areas
Priority School Sites
A
Park Search Area B: Lowest population and lowest population density
Park Search Area D:
Highest population
Park Search Area E: Highest population density
A
B
C
D
E
AddisonElementary School
AddisonElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
DuveneckElementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
El Carmelo Elementary School
Ohlone Elementary Ohlone Elementary
Jordan Middle School
Jordan Middle School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Palo Verde Elementary School
Map showing geographic distribution of program offerings
54
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
1.B Expand parkland inventory using the National
Recreation and Park Association standard as a
guide (see sidebar) for park development in Palo
Alto’s Urban Service Area. New parkland should
be added to meet and maintain the standard of 4
acres/1,000 residents. Parkland should expand with
population, be well distributed across the community
and be of sufficient size to meet the varied needs
of neighborhoods and the broader community.
Maximum service area should be 1/2 mile.
PROGRAMS
1.B.1 Develop design standards for privately owned public open
spaces that clearly set the expectation for public access,
recreation activities and natural elements. .
1.B.2 Establish a system in the City’s real estate office that
identifies land being sold and reviews it for park potential,
prioritizing review of land within park search areas. (See
Figure 8: Park Search Areas Map).
1.B.3 Review all City-owned land and easements (starting in
park search areas) for potential parkland development or
connection locations. (See Figure 8: Park Search Areas Map
and Figure 9: Bikeways and Pedestrian Routes Map).
1.B.4 Examine City-owned rights-of-way (for example, streets,
which make up the biggest portion of publicly owned
land) to identify temporary or permanent areas for
improvements that connect or add recreation activity
space. (Examples: California Ave., Indianapolis Cultural Trail,
parklets).
1.B.5 Identify and approach community organizations and
institutions that own land in park search areas to create
long-term agreements and improvements for public park
space. (Examples: Friendship Sportsplex in Charlotte, N.C.,
New Riverside Park in Boston.)
1.B.6 Create usable park space, or other recreational
opportunities, on top of utilities, parking or other
infrastructure uses. (Examples: Anaheim Utility Park, UC
Berkeley Underhill Parking Structure, Portland’s Director
Park, Stanford University Wilbur Field Garage.)
Privately-Owned Public Open Spaces are built and managed by private entities and are required to allow public access.
PARKLAND STANDARDS
The Palo Alto
Comprehensive plan
references (Policy C-28)
National Recreation and Park
Association standards:
• Two acres of neighborhood
parkland should be
provided for each 1,000
people; and
• Two acres of district
parkland should be
provided for each 1,000
people.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
1.B.7 Monitor properties adjacent to parks that are smaller than
the minimum recommended size for potential acquisition
to expand existing parks.
1.B.8 Increase collections through revised or alternative park
impact fee structures that are sufficient to expand
inventory. Develop a system to reserve funds for parkland
acquisition and proactively pursue strategic opportunities
for expansion.
1.B.9 Acquire and develop a new neighborhood park in each park
search area, starting with the most underserved areas
and targeting a central and well-connected location to
maximize access.
1.B.10 Develop a creek walk along Matadero Creek that links
parks and creates open space and a habitat corridor.
1.B.11 Incorporate other underutilized City-owned outdoor
spaces for park and recreational programming.
1.B.12 Identify and dedicate (as parkland) City-controlled spaces
serving, or capable of serving, park-like or recreational
uses, where appropriate (e.g., Winter Lodge, Gamble
Gardens, Rinconada Community Gardens, GreenWaste
Facility at the former PASCO site, former Los Altos Sewage
Treatment Plan, Kingsley Island).
Policy
1.C Ensure the maximum distance between residents’
homes and the nearest public park or preserve is 1/2
mile, 1/4 mile preferred, that is evaluated using a
walkshed methodology based on how people travel.
PROGRAMS
1.C.1 Maintain the City’s digital map developed during this
Master Plan process, updating for new activities and
access points.
1.C.2 Establish a review step in the Planning and Community
Environment Department for any major redevelopment or
the purchase/sale of any City land in the park search areas.
Palo Alto Airport
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Enhanced Bikeway Features
Recommended Enhanced Bicycle
and Pedestrian Routes
Regional Trails (Bay to Ridge Trails, San Francisco Bay Trail)
Recommended Park Connectors
1
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
Trails
Trails
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail withPublic Access)
Private Recreation
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Menlo Park
Los Altos
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San Francisco Bay
Stanford
Santa Clara County
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
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Inventory of well-distributed parkland
56
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
1.D Adopt standard wayfinding signage for Palo Alto
parks and provide standardized directory signs for all
large parks, preserves and athletic field complexes.
PROGRAMS
1.D.1 Create and implement a signage and wayfinding program
that conveys the park system identity, incorporates art,
connects bike paths to parks and enhances the experience
of park visitors.
1.D.2 Install directional signs at parks that include the walking
time to the next nearest park or parks.
Policy
1.E Apply universal design principles as the preferred
guidance for design solutions in parks, striving to
exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
PROGRAMS
1.E.1 Create a process to address adaptive program requests for
individuals with cognitive, sensory and physical disabilities
(to be coordinated with upcoming ADA Transition Plan).
1.E.2 Adopt a standard of universal park design for accessibility
and/or upgrade play areas and picnic facilities to meet or
exceed the standard.
1.E.3 Upgrade open space trails to be more universally
accessible where environmentally appropriate.
Policy
1.F Maintain a Field and Tennis Court Brokering and Use
Policy as well as the Gymnasium Use Policy (as well
as any subsequent updates) to guide the allocation of
these recreation facilities with a preference for youth
and Palo Alto residents.
PROGRAMS
1.F.1 Periodically review the existing Field and Tennis Court
Brokering and Use Policy and Gymnasium Policy and
update as needed.
1.F.2 Develop an annual field usage statistics report, including
Magical Bridge Playground: Universally accessible children’s park facilities
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
the number of prime timeslots that were unused due to
field condition/resting and the number of requests for field
space that were unfilled due to lack of capacity.
Policy
1.G Encourage walking and biking as a way of getting to
and from parks, supporting implementation of the
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
PROGRAMS
1.G.1 Select parks as destinations along routes for “Ciclovia” or
“Sunday Streets” type events where streets are closed
to traffic and opened up for citizens of all ages to interact
with each other through exercise, entertainment and fun.
1.G.2 Provide bike parking for cyclists as a standard feature at
parks, open spaces, preserves and community centers.
1.G.3 Provide, identify and mark “Safe Routes to Parks” from
locations such as schools, shopping centers, libraries,
after-school programs, community centers and residential
neighborhoods.
1.G.4 Educate residents about the city’s Bike Boulevards –
streets prioritized for bicycles – to promote greater use,
and plan new Bike Boulevard projects that connect parks,
open spaces and recreation facilities.
1.G.5 Identify gaps in the walking and cycling network to
improve access to parks, open spaces, preserves and
community centers, including sidewalk repairs, easements,
trail improvements/repair and improved pedestrian
visibility.
1.G.6 Collaborate with school communities to enhance routes to
schools, especially where they pass through parks.
1.G.7 Develop a regular bicycle and walking tour of Palo Alto
parks and preserves as a new recreation program. Develop
online materials for self-guided tours.
1.G.8 Improve trail connections to neighboring communities
(Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Stanford
University, Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View,
East Palo Alto, etc.)
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
1.H Incorporate cultural diversity in projects and
programs to encourage and enhance citizen
participation.
PROGRAMS
1.H.1 Conduct a survey at least every two years of cultural
groups to identify gaps, barriers to access, preferred
design and awareness in recreation programming.
1.H.2 Provide multi-cultural and multi-lingual recreation
programs, signage and educational information.
1.H.3 Encourage and provide opportunities for civic engagement
by directly connecting with cultural groups.
Policy
1.I Increase stewardship and volunteerism by creating
and promoting opportunities for youth and adults to
participate in parks, recreation, open space events,
projects and programs.
PROGRAMS
1.I.1 Create a robust volunteer recruitment and management
program.
1.I.2 Continue to offer volunteer habitat and landscape
improvement projects and support partnership
organizations that offer volunteer programs in Parks and
Open Space areas.
Volunteers assisting with maintenance of a natural area
5958
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 2: Enhance the capacity, quality and variety of uses of the existing system of parks, recreation and open space facilities and services.
Policy
2.A Sustain the community’s investment in parks and
recreation facilities.
PROGRAMS
2.A.1 Collaborate with Palo Alto Unified School District to
develop and implement a vision and master plan for the
future of the Cubberley Community Center.
2.A.2 Continue to program and prioritize projects for existing
facilities as identified in the Infrastructure Blue Ribbon
Commission report, and plan the upkeep of new facilities
as they come on line, recognizing their expected lifespan
and revising based on real-world experience.
2.A.3 Research best practices to design park and recreational
facilities that can be maintained with existing or lower
budgets.
2.A.4 Encourage residents to organize and participate in park
maintenance and cleanup events to foster a sense of
ownership, establish social connections and reduce
maintenance costs.
2.A.5 Develop a proactive Asset Management Program to
maintain existing park and recreation infrastructure.
2.A.6 Provide additional lighting to enhance park safety and
expand park use to dusk while minimizing impacts to
wildlife.
2.A.7 Find ways to mitigate conflicts between different trail
user groups, particularly in the Pearson-Arastradero
Preserve and Bol Park where mulitple types of users share
pathways.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
2.B Provide opportunities for creative expression in park
and recreation facilities and programs.
PROGRAMS
2.B.1 Incorporate artists and art into youth recreation
programming, particularly day camps, utilizing the
expertise of the Arts and Sciences Division.
2.B.2 Create outdoor studios and program spaces for creating
art in parks (coordinated with the Public Art Master Plan).
2.B.3 Encourage the community to participate in more
expressive projects led by the department, such as
community mural projects in facilities, pop-up open mics
or chalk art programs in parks.
2.B.4 Continue to provide “maker” space to Palo Alto teens to
encourage creative thinking and expression.
Policy
2.C Design and maintain high-quality natural and
synthetic turf fields to support maximum use in parks
by multiple local organized sports and casual users
with areas large enough for practice or play.
PROGRAMS
2.C.1 Conduct an athletic field condition and maintenance
assessment of the City’s natural turf fields, and upgrade
fields at select parks to high-quality natural turf
standards including irrigation system upgrades, drainage
improvements, etc. The field assessment report should
include analysis and recommendations regarding the soil
profile, agronomy, irrigation systems, field slope, drainage,
field-use demand and maintenance.
2.C.2 Actively monitor and track industry developments and
the latest reputable scientific studies regarding synthetic
turf to understand the environmental and human safety
impacts of our existing synthetic turf fields.
2.C.3 Assess the type of turf (new synthetic turf product or
natural turf) that should be used when replacing an
existing synthetic turf field that is due for replacement.
Natural and sythetic turf fields
6160
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
2.C.4 Stripe synthetic turf fields for multiple sports to maximize
use. Whenever possible, synthetic turf playing fields should
have lights in order to maximize use of the field.
2.C.5 Collaborate with Palo Alto Unified School District to
develop and implement a design and maintenance plan for
high-quality natural and synthetic turf fields.
Policy
2.D Actively pursue adding dedicated, fenced dog parks
in multiple neighborhoods, equitably distributed
between north and south Palo Alto. The size of the
dog parks will vary but should strive to be at least 1/4
acres. Dog parks should not be placed in open space
preserves.
PROGRAMS
2.D.1 The City will evaluate and select at least six* dedicated,
fenced dog parks, equitably distributed across north
and south Palo Alto, from the following list of potential
locations:
• Eleanor Pardee Park (North, .41 Acres)
• Bowden Park (North, .37 Acres)
• Greer Park (Improve existing) (South, .87 Acres)
• Peers Park (North, .73 Acres)
• Hoover Park (Improve existing) (South, 1 Acre)
• Robles Park (South, .47 Acres)
• Mitchell Park (Expand existing) (South, 1.2 Acres)
• Kingsley Island Park (North, .27 Acres)
• Werry Park (North, .31 Acres)
• Juana Briones Park (South, .47 Acres)
• Heritage Park (North, .27 Acres)
2.D.2 Develop rules and regulations specific to dog parks
focusing on safety and limits of use.
*It is acknowledged that Hoover and Greer’s current dog parks are inadequate in
terms of size, and they should not be counted in their current configuration toward
the minimum of six dog parks recommended in this program.
Dedicated dog park spaces
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
2.E The City will actively pursue adding park restrooms
in parks that are approximately 2 acres or larger,
have amenities that encourage visitors to stay in the
park, have a high level of use and have no nearby
restrooms.
PROGRAMS
2.E.1 Develop a restroom standard, in collaboration with the
Architectural Review Board, for neighborhood parks.
2.E.2 The City will actively pursue adding park restrooms at the
following potential locations:
• Bol Park
• Bowden Park
• Eleanor Pardee Park
• Johnson Park
• Ramos Park
• Robles Park
• Terman Park
Policy
2.F Develop additional community gardens focusing
on underrepresented areas of the City and provide
community engagement opportunities around
gardens.
Policy
2.G At least every five years, quantitatively evaluate
demand and capacity of major recreation facilities
including pools, gyms, tennis courts and teen
centers with appropriate attention to geographical
distribution in the city. Adjust plans as appropriate
to accommodate significant demographic or demand
changes.
Community gardens
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 3: Create environments that encourage active and passive activities to support health, wellness and social connections.
Policy
3.A Implement the Healthy City/Healthy Community
resolution with the community’s involvement.
PROGRAMS
3.A.1 Convene and lead a Healthy City/Healthy Community
stakeholder work group consisting of other agencies,
nonprofit organizations and citizens that supports building
a healthy community.
3.A.2 Develop an annual plan that supports implementation of
the resolution.
3.A.3 Achieve designation as an Age-Friendly Community.
3.A.4 Add drop-in programs (free or BOOST!) focused on physical
and mental health in settings that are near home/work
and maximize the health benefits of being outside and
surrounded by nature.
3.A.5 Connect walking paths within and between parks to create
loop options of varying length that encourage walking and
jogging.
3.A.6 Enhance seating areas to take advantage of quiet spaces
or to create opportunities for social interaction.
3.A.7 Promote and enforce the ban on smoking in Palo Alto’s
parks through a marketing campaign and signage program.
3.A.8 Upgrade or add drinking fountains with water bottle filling
and water for dogs.
3.A.9 Develop adult fitness areas in parks including exercise
areas for the exclusive use of older adults (seniors).
Policy
3.B Incorporate art into park design and recreation
programming (consistent with the Public Art Master
Plan).
HEALTHY CITY /
HEALTHY COMMUNITY
In 2015, the City Council
adopted a resolution
recognizing its role and
responsibility to promote
and support a Healthy City/
Healthy Community. Four
areas of action are identified
in this resolution:
• Healthy Culture
• Healthy Environment
• Healthy Food Access
• Healthy Workplace
Bicycling and walking path promoting outdoor fitness
64
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
3.B.1 Promote temporary public art installations in local parks.
3.B.2 Promote interactive public art features that also serve as
play features (i.e. climbable sculptural elements integrated
into the natural environment that invite touch and
exploration).
3.B.3 Update park design policies to incorporate artistic
elements consistent with the Public Art Master Plan.
3.B.4 Commission artwork that interprets local history, events
and significant individuals or represents City core values of
sustainability, youth well-being, health and innovation.
3.B.5 Bring in performance-based work, social practice,
temporary art and community art.
3.B.6 Explore suitable art for preserves and natural areas.
3.B.7 Incorporate public art in the earliest stages of the design of
parks and facilities that may utilize wind direction, sunlight
and ambient sound (coordinated with the Public Art Master
Plan).
3.B.8 Install permanent and temporary installations and exhibits
in well-trafficked parks and plazas, following the guidance
of the Public Art Master Plan.
3.B.9 Integrate functional public art into play areas, seatwalls
and other built features in parks across the system.
3.B.10 Integrate art and nature into bike lanes, routes and paths
as appropriate.
Policy
3.C Require that proposed privately owned public spaces
that are provided through the Parkland Dedication
Ordinance meet Palo Alto design guidelines and
standards for publicly owned parks, allow public
access, and be designed to support recreation,
incorporate natural ecosystem elements and comply
with the policies of the Urban Forest Master Plan.
PROGRAMS
3.C.1 Develop and apply clear expectations and definitions of
public access (hours, rules) for privately owned public
spaces.
Public art in Palo Alto
6564
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 4: Protect natural habitat and integrate nature, natural ecosystems and ecological principles throughout
Palo Alto.
Policy
4.A In natural open space, ensure activities, projects
and programs are compatible with the protection of
nature.
PROGRAMS
4.A.1 Develop comprehensive conservation plans for Baylands
Preserve, Foothills Park, Esther Clark Park and Pearson-
Arastradero Preserve to identify strategies to balance
ecosystem preservation, passive recreation and
environmental education. The protection of biological
resources from visitor use impacts shall be the priority in
the Open Space Preserves.
4.A.2 Continue to work with partner organizations to remove
invasive weeds and plant native plants and trees in riparian
and natural open space areas.
4.A.3 Update the Arastradero Preserve Trail Management Plan
(March 2001) and the Foothills Park Trail Maintenance
Plan (January 2002), and incorporate into in the Foothills
Park, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve and Esther Clark Park
Comprehensive Conservation Plan Project.
Policy
4.B Connect people to nature and the outdoors through
education and recreation programming.
PROGRAMS
4.B.1 Expand access to nature through elements and
interpretive features that explore ecological processes,
historical context, adjacent waterways and specific plant/
animal species that can be encountered onsite and have
elements tailored to be of interest to youth as well as
multiple ages, cultures and abilities.
4.B.2 Update or rebuild interpretive centers with modern
interactive exhibits.
Natural open space
66
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
4.B.3 Improve and increase access to creeks for learning and
stewardship experiences by designing access points that
minimize impact on the waterway.
4.B.4 Expand programs such as Foothills camps to connect
youth with parks year-round.
4.B.5 Partner with boys/girls scouting organizations for outdoor
education programs and/or the Junior Rangers program.
4.B.6 Expand and increase events that educate and promote
native plants, species and wildlife.
4.B.7 Provide shade for play areas, using shade trees as the
preferred solution.
4.B.8 Update and improve the Toyon Trail Interpretive Guide to
make it more engaging and educational.
4.B.9 Develop a Trail Interpretive Guide for Pearson-Arastradero
Preserve and the Baylands Nature Preserve.
Policy
4.C Connect natural areas, open space, creeks and
vegetated areas in parks and on public land to create
wildlife, bird, pollinator and habitat corridors by
planting with native oaks and other species that
support pollinators or provide high habitat values.
PROGRAMS
4.C.1 Develop a map that identifies locations for habitat
corridors, including the appropriate plant palette for each
corridor.
4.C.2 Work with local environmental groups to grow native plant
species and utilize their network of volunteers to install
and maintain planted areas.
4.C.3 Establish low-impact buffer zones with native plant
species along creeks to enhance habitat value.
Nature education programming
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
4.D Promote, expand and protect habitat and natural
areas in parks and open space.
PROGRAMS
4.D.1 Identify and pursue strategies and opportunities to expand
native trees and planting areas in urban parks.
4.D.2 Integrate and implement the Urban Forest Master Plan
Policies and Programs as applicable to parkland in Palo
Alto.
4.D.3 Update the preferred plant palette and approved tree
species list.
4.D.4 Collaborate with habitat restoration organizations such as
Save the Bay, Canopy and Grassroots Ecology (Acterra).
4.D.5 Replace low-use turf areas with native shrubs and
grasses, incorporating educational elements about native
habitats.
4.D.6 Support regional efforts that focus on enhancing and
protecting significant natural resources.
4.D.7 Utilizing volunteers, expand programs to remove invasive
species and to plant native vegetation in open space, parks
and creek corridors.
4.D.8 Collaborate with regional partners to control the spread of
invasive species and plant pathogens.
4.D.9 Contact partner entity (such as Stanford University)
conservation program manager before planning projects
that disturb the ground on properties they own (including
the Stanford/Palo Alto Playing Fields and El Camino Park)
to allow review of their habitat conservation requirements.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 5: Develop innovative programs, services and
strategies for expanding the park and recreation system.
Policy
5.A Identify and pursue strategies to activate underused
parks and recreation facilities
PROGRAMS
5.A.1 Implement short-term placemaking improvements
(flexible, small scale interventions such as seating, art,
programming or planters that have minimal capital cost) to
attract users and experiment with potential longer-term
options.
5.A.2 Emphasize flexibility and layering uses (allowing for
different uses at different times of day, week, etc.) in
parks over installing fixed-use equipment and single-use
facilities.
5.A.3 Expand day camp program opportunities, utilizing all
preserves and more local park sites and additional topic
areas, to meet excess demand.
5.A.4 Leverage social media and develop marketing materials
to encourage “pop-up” recreational activities in rotating
parks.
5.A.5 Create small (10-12 people) and medium-sized (20-25
people) group picnic areas that can be used for both picnics
and programming.
5.A.6 Assess high-demand park features and identify those that
can be added or relocated to low-use parks.
Policy
5.B Support innovation in recreation programming and
park features and amenities.
PROGRAMS
5.B.1 Review program data based on clearly communicated
objectives for reach, impact, attendance and financial
performance.
5.B.2 Retire, end or refresh programs that require staff, facility
and financial resources but do not achieve program
objectives, thereby freeing up resources for new programs.
Examples of placemaking improvements
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
5.B.3 Actively develop a small number of pilot programs each
year to test new ideas, locations and target audiences.
5.B.4 Build on partnership with Avenidas to expand
intergenerational programming as well as additional older
adult programming.
5.B.5 Expand BOOST!, the pay-per-use exercise class system to
cover fees for any drop-in classes or facility use (lap swim,
drop-in gym time, new programs in parks).
5.B.6 Set a goal of 10% new program offerings each season; new
programs should be offered based on needs assessment,
industry trends and/or class evaluation data.
5.B.7 Create a robust marketing and outreach program to
highlight new and innovative programs to community.
5.B.8 Develop short-term recreation access strategies (such
as temporary use agreements for vacant or park-like
property) and seek long-term or permanent park and
recreation space in each park search area. Actively
recruit property and facility owners to participate in the
development of the short- and long-term strategies.
5.B.9 Explore addition of intramural sports for middle and high
school students through a partnership with Palo Alto
Unified School District.
5.B.10 Provide opportunities for “pickup” or non-league sports
activities at City parks and recreation facilities.
Policy
5.C Expand the overall parks and recreation system
through repurposing public land, partnering with
other organizations for shared land, incorporating
public park spaces on parking decks and rooftops, if
appropriate and using other creative means to help
address shortages of available land.
PROGRAMS
5.C.1 Explore a process to utilize and reserve select public and
private lands for “park-like” functions that allows for more
flexibility than formal park dedication.
Underhill Parking Garage at UC Berkeley includes a full size soccer field built over a 1,000 space, four-level parking facility
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
5.D Explore alternative uses for newly acquired parkland
to optimize for long-term community benefit.
PROGRAMS
5.D.1 Determine optimal usage for Foothill Park’s 7.7 acres of
parkland.
5.D.2 Evaluate optimal usage, including open space, for 10.5-
acre land bank created by golf course reconstruction in the
Baylands.
5.D.3 Evaluate feasible uses for the south end of El Camino Park.
Policy
5.E Explore and experiment with parklets and other
temporary park spaces for both long- and short-term
uses.
Policy
5.F Enhance partnerships and collaborations with Palo
Alto Unified School District and Stanford University
to support access and joint use of facilities, where
appropriate, for effective delivery of services and
programs.
PROGRAMS
5.F.1 Partner with PAUSD to open middle and high school
recreation facilities for community use (basketball,
badminton, indoor soccer, swimming pools, tennis courts)
during the evening, weekend and summer hours.
5.F.2 Develop a steering committee that consists of key
officials from the City, PAUSD and Stanford to explore
partnership agreements and connect facility managers and
programmers.
5.F.3 Increase access to PAUSD public schools (outside of school
hours) to increase the availability of recreation activity
spaces. Target school sites that are within or adjacent to
“park search areas.”
PARKLET:
An inexpensive infrastructure
investment that creates a
public gathering space or
small park from on-street
parking spaces.
Parklet on Noriega Street in San Francisco
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
5.F.4 Explore partnerships with Stanford to create or increase
access to athletic facilities and other recreational facilities
for Palo Alto residents.
5.F.5 Develop a common reservation system for community
access to shared facilities.
Policy
5.G Pursue other/private funding sources for recreation
programming, capital improvement projects and
facility maintenance.
PROGRAMS
5.G.1 Encourage foundations to assist with soliciting
sponsorships and grants.
5.G.2 Create a more formalized annual or one-time sponsorship
program that provides the donor with marketing and
promotional opportunities.
5.G.3 Contract or add job responsibilities for managing
fundraising and developing donors for the park system to
pursue funding opportunities and sponsorships.
5.G.4 Engage non-profit friends groups to seek donor funding,
including foundation grants, corporate giving and small and
major philanthropic gifts by individuals, for priority projects
and programs.
Policy
5.H Partner with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District and other land conservation groups to expand
access to open space through new acquisitions and
improved connections.
Fitness program
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Goal 6: Manage Palo Alto’s land and services effectively, efficiently and sustainably utilizing quantitative and qualitative measures.
Policy
6.A At least every five years actively review demographic
trends and interests of the City population by
segment for critical drivers of facility usage including
schoolchildren, teens, seniors and ethnic groups, and
adjust programs and plans accordingly.
PROGRAMS
6.A.1 Create pilot recreation programs to test the public’s
interest in new types of classes, events and activities
utilizing an evaluation process.
6.A.2 Initiate a community-wide focus group on an annual basis
to provide feedback on programs, facilities and long-term
roadmaps.
6.A.3 Create a streamlined and effective quarterly survey system
that solicits feedback from customers, including program
participants, facility renters and the general community.
Policy
6.B Continue to implement the Cost Recovery Policy for
recreation programs, refining the cost and fees using
the most current information available.
PROGRAMS
6.B.1 Periodically benchmark the City’s Cost Recovery Policy
against other cities’ cost recovery models.
6.B.2 Invest in and market city facilities to increase revenue for
cost recovery.
Policy
6.C Limit the exclusive use of Palo Alto parks (booking a
park site or recreation facility or significant portion
thereof) for events by private organizations that are
closed to the general public.
PROGRAMS
6.C.1 Exclusive use of parks or athletic fields by a private party
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
or corporation for events that are closed to the general
public will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will
be assessed using the following criteria:
• No exclusive use by private parties is permitted on peak days (e.g., weekends, holidays) or peak times (e.g., evening hours on weekdays, 10 am – 6 pm on weekends) as defined by Community Services staff unless approved in advance by the Director of Community Services;
• Private uses will be limited to a maximum of five
consecutive days, including event set-up and break-
down;
• For any multi-day private event including set up and break-down, notice of the private event will be made to the neighboring community and facility users, a minimum of 14 days in advance allowing for public input prior to the permit being issued;
• Cost recovery, including wear and tear on facility should
be 100%.
• Explore establishing incremental deposits and fees for
such use.
6.C.2 Exclusive use of parks or athletic fields for locally focused
events that allow registration by the general public (e.g.,
races, obstacle course events, triathlons, etc.) may be
considered by staff if consistent with this Master Plan.
6.C.3 Exclusive use of certain sites and facilities within parks,
such as reservable picnic areas, is permitted in accordance
with the City’s Park and Open Space Regulations.
6.C.4 Events that allow public access are permitted in
accordance with Special Event Permit procedures.
Policy
6.D Periodically review and update existing guidance for
development, operations and maintenance of Palo
Alto’s parks, trails, natural open space and recreation
system based on the best practices in the industry
and this Master Plan, including:
• Park Rules and Regulations;
• Open Space Policy & Procedure Handbook;
• City of Palo Alto Landscape Standards;
• City of Palo Alto design guidelines and standards; and
• Tree Technical Manual.
Solar installation
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
6.E Incorporate sustainable best practices in the
maintenance, management and development of open
space, parks and recreation facilities where consistent
with ecological best practices.
PROGRAMS
6.E.1 Increase energy efficiency in Palo Alto parks, including
allocating funding to retrofit facilities for energy efficiency
with increased insulation, green or reflective roofs and
low-emissive window glass where applicable.
6.E.2 Conduct energy audits for all facilities, establish an energy
baseline for operations, benchmark energy performance
against comparable facilities and implement energy
tracking and management systems for all park facilities
and operations.
6.E.3 Select Energy Star and equivalent energy-efficient
products for park equipment purchases.
6.E.4 Expand the collection and use of solar power (parking lots,
roofs) and other renewable energy sources at parks and
facilities (e.g. pools).
6.E.5 Provide convenient and well-marked compost and
recycling receptacles throughout the park system, in
recreation facilities and at special events.
6.E.6 Ensure that trash, recycling and compost receptacles have
covers to prevent wildlife access to human food sources.
6.E.7 Review purchasing policies and improve employee
education to reduce overall consumption of materials
throughout the system.
6.E.8 Procure environmentally preferable products (as required
by the City’s Environmentally Preferred Purchasing policy)
as the “default” purchasing option.
6.E.9 Initiate composting of green waste within the park system.
6.E.10 Work with Public Works to replace the vehicle fleet with
electric vehicles whenever practical.
6.E.11 Install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at park
facilities with parking lots.
6.E.12 Enforce a “No Idle” program with vehicles and other gas-
powered equipment.
Palo Alto park maintenance
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
6.E.13 Conduct water audits for all parks and recreation facilities
and park operations.
6.E.14 Install high-efficiency urinals, toilets, sinks and showers in
all facilities.
6.E.15 Extend recycled water use to more park sites.
6.E.16 Explore stormwater runoff capture opportunities in parks
for recycling in irrigation.
6.E.17 Ensure irrigation systems on public landscapes (including
those expanding the use of recycled water) are run by a
smart controller and/or sensors and that staff are trained
in programming them.
6.E.18 Link all park facilities to a centralized irrigation
management system to maximize water use efficiency.
6.E.19 Promote urban greening by integrating storm water
design into planting beds, reducing irrigation and providing
interpretive information about park contributions to city
water quality.
6.E.20 Train City maintenance staff and include specific standards
and expectations in maintenance contracts for the
care of low-water, naturalized landscapes, natural play
environments and other new types of features in the
system.
6.E.21 Ensure project designs for new facilities and retrofits
will be consistent with sustainable design principles
and practices. This includes evaluating all projects
for opportunities to implement green stormwater
infrastructure such as bioswales, stormwater planters,
rain gardens, permeable pavers and porous concrete and
asphalt.
6.E.22 Identify locations and develop swales, detention basins
and rain gardens to retain and treat storm water.
Example of urban greening/green infrastructure
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
Policy
6.F Strengthen the Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
policy as written. While some parks may be managed
as “pesticide free” on a demonstration basis, IPM
should continue to be Palo Alto’s approach, grounded
in the best available science on pest prevention and
management.
PROGRAMS
6.F.1 Periodically review and update the IPM policy based on
best available data and technology.
Policy
6.G Strategically reduce maintenance requirements at
parks, open spaces, natural preserves and community
centers while maintaining Palo Alto’s high quality
standards.
PROGRAMS
6.G.1 Locate garbage and recycling receptacles in a single
location that is easily accessible by maintenance staff and
vehicles.
6.G.2 Explore high capacity, compacting and smart garbage and
recycling receptacles that can reduce the frequency of
regular collection.
6.G.3 Select standardized furnishing palettes for durability,
vandal-resistance and ease of repair.
Policy
6.H Coordinate with and/or use other relevant City plans
to ensure consistency, including:
• Baylands Master Plan;
• Urban Forest Master Plan;
• Urban Water Master Plan;
• Long-term electric acquisition plan (LEAP);
• Water Reclamation Master Plan;
• Recycled Water Project;
Accessible garbage and recycling receptacles
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS
•Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan;
•Comprehensive Plan;
•Public Art Master Plan; and
•Others adopted in the future.
Policy
6.I Continue to engage other relevant City departments
and divisions in planning, design and programming,
drawing on the unique and specialized skills and
perspectives of:
•City Manager’s Office;
•The Palo Alto Art Center;
•Library, including Children’s Library;
•Junior Museum and Zoo;
•Children’s Theatre;
•Public Art;
•Transportation;
•Urban Forestry;
•Planning;
•Public Works; and
•Palo Alto Youth and Teen Leadership.
Policy
6.J Participate in and support implementation of regional
plans related to parks, recreation, natural open space
and trails, such as:
•2014 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Vision;
•Santa Clara County Countywide Trails Master Plan;
•Clean Bay Pollution Prevention Plan; and
•Land Use near Streams in Santa Clara County.
CHAPTER5
IMPLEMENTATION
OVER THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS
MASTER PLAN WILL INCLUDE AN ANNUAL REVIEW PROCESS
INITIATED BY CITY STAFF WITH GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP
FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (PRC) AND CITY
COUNCIL. Palo Alto’s dedicated community advocates and partner organizations will also play an important role in ensuring the proposed programs and projects align with the needs of the community. Many projects, such as large capital projects, will require long-term strategic thinking and development of funding strategies. Strategic planning for these long-term, high-capital projects will occur concurrently with the annual review process.
The annual review process described in this chapter involves implementing projects and programs described in Chapter 4 through an annual cycle of reviewing, planning, implementing and reporting. These programs have undergone review by the public, staff, PRC and City Council during the development of this Master Plan. Although the tools in this chapter are designed to work with Palo Alto’s existing budget and capital improvement plan processes, there may be instances where a strategic action or proposal does not fit into the normal budget process. In these cases, it will be necessary for a separate PRC and City Council review and approval process.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
CREATE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENCOURAGE REGULAR ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ACTIVITIES
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
The focus of discussion in this chapter includes:
• A prioritization process to create and update the annual action
plan;
• An evaluation process to consider new projects or programs
proposed in the future; and
• A methodology for measuring the effective and efficient
implementation of the Master Plan.
Prioritization
This plan is intentionally ambitious, to reflect the high standards
of the Palo Alto community. Not all of these projects will move
forward immediately, and the City needs to have a method of
prioritization. This process of prioritization is designed to inform the
projects that move forward first and to help guide implementation
throughout the life of the Master Plan.
Prioritization Process
The prioritization process applies a set of criteria drawn from the
extensive community input during the master planning process.
These criteria are applicable to the entire range of projects and
programs and reflect both the Master Plan principles and goals.
When considering the priority of projects and programs and the
order in which they are implemented, the following set of criteria
will be used as a guide to identify the benefit to the community and
parks system in relation to other projects and programs. Proposed
projects and programs will be ranked using a range of low, medium
and high on how well the programs meet the criteria. These criteria
will not provide a numerical score but will inform staff, the PRC
and the Council how a particular program could serve community
needs. Projects and programs will be evaluated against criteria
to identify the benefit to the overall system in relation to other
programs. Staff, PRC, and ultimately the City Council will determine
the final order of implementation as part of the established Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) and operating budget process. The
criteria are defined below:
• Fill existing gaps: Bring recreation opportunities (parkland,
facilities, programs) to areas of the City and to users where
gaps were identified.
• Respond to growth: Add features or programs and/or
modify or expand components of the system to prepare
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
for and address increasing demand.
• Address community preferences: Target the highest
priority types of projects and programs identified through
citywide outreach.
• Maximize public resources: Create the most benefit for
each dollar of capital and operating expenditure possible.
• Realize multiple benefits: Advance the principles of this
Master Plan as well as the goals, projects and directions of
other adopted City efforts.
HIGH-PRIORITY PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
There are some programs and projects that we know today are
high-priority needs and/or opportunities. The list below reflects
those priorities as identified in the Master Planning process.
The priorities were developed with feedback from the Parks
and Recreation Commission, community, stakeholders and City
staff and priorities include a summary of planning effort, capital
cost (funding), annual operating cost, time frame and urgency
for each. The programs and projects have been arranged from
high to low urgency with the projects divided into two groups: 1)
large-scale projects that will require more study and a long-term
planning and funding strategy and 2) those projects that can be
initiated immediately, usually of smaller scale and lower funding
requirements. While all the projects and programs that appear on
this list are considered a priority, completion of large-scale capital
projects will require efforts over the life of the plan, with several
steps beginning in the near term and continuing through planning,
design and ultimately construction.
Projects (High to Low Urgency per group)
Major projects needing further study and strategic funding
• Enhance existing sports fields
• Plan, design and construct 10.5-acre site in Baylands for
park uses
• Plan, design and redevelop Cubberley Community Center
• Plan, design and construct a new public gymnasium
• Improve the Rinconada Pool Facility
• Incorporate 7.7-acre site into Foothills Park
• Acquire new parkland in high-need areas
• Improve golf course facility
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Projects ready in the short term
• Develop conservation plans for open space preserves
• Develop new dog parks in underrepresented areas
• Construct new restrooms in parks
• Incorporate sustainable practices in the maintenance and
management of parks, open space and recreation facilities
• Exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements in
parks
• Improve trail connections and access
• Develop adult fitness areas in parks
• Integrate nature into urban parks
• Develop new community gardens in underserved areas
• Enhance seating areas in parks
• Create wayfinding signage of safe routes to parks
Programs
• Establish and grow partnerships and identify and cultivate
potential park and recreation donors
• Collaborate with School District to increase access to
playgrounds, gyms and other school facilities
• Expand recruitment and training of coaches and
instructors
• Expand aquatics programs
• Expand programs for seniors
• Expand non-academic programs for teens
• Provide intramural sports program for middle and high
school students
• Invest in staff training to enhance therapeutic and inclusive
program development
• Increase the variety of activities available in parks
• Encourage unstructured play at parks and community
centers
• Connect youth, teens and families with nature
• Expand programs related to health and wellness
• Pilot temporary/pop-up programming in parks
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
• Expand community-focused special events
• Offer cultural enrichment programs
IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Each priority program or project is described and evaluated based
on the following five factors:
1. PLANNING EFFORT represents the amount of time, effort
and cost associated with planning the project and could
include community outreach, budget and resource allocation,
environmental review and PRC and Council approval.
2. CAPITAL COST provides an indication of the magnitude of
capital cost to implement the project, shown by dollar signs
as follows:
• $ (<$250,000)
• $$ ($250,000 to $1,000,000)
• $$$ ($1,000,000 to $5,000,000)
• $$$$ (>$5,000,000)
3. ANNUAL OPERATING COST estimates the added annual
operating cost once the project is in place, also indicated by
dollar signs as follows:
• $ (<$5,000)
• $$ ($5,000 to $25,000)
• $$$ ($25,000 to $75,000)
• $$$$ (>$75,000)
4. TIME FRAME indicates whether project activity will occur in
the near, mid, or long term. All the following projects identified
as priorities will require attention in the near term, although
some are major projects and will not be completed for years.
Some projects can be both planned and constructed in the
same year, while others will take years longer to complete.
Additionally, some projects will require different actions
throughout the life of the project.
This Master Plan looks at three time frames for
implementation. All of the high-priority projects identified
will require attention in the near term. Some projects can be
initiated and completed within a single time frame. However,
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
many will be ongoing or will require different actions across
multiple time frames. Actions related to identified priorities
will be integrated into City planning within the structure of
each time frame described below.
• Near-Term (0-5 years): The City’s CIP includes capital
projects planned for a five-year period. As each year’s
projects are completed, the annual budgeting process
includes the addition of another year on the rolling five-
year CIP. New projects identified in the Master Plan will be
proposed through the annual CIP process. Programs can
be implemented sooner, as funding is available.
• Mid-Term (6-10 years): In the mid-term, more of the
new ideas generated in this plan will be cycled into the
CIP process, and preliminary work will advance the larger
capital projects. New programs will be established enough
to evaluate, and new ideas can continue to be added.
• Long-Term (11-20 years): The long-term timeline includes
projects that require significant up-front work and
planning, represent long-term, ongoing investments or
demand extraordinary funding strategies. Several projects
may not be completed until this time frame; however, all
will have been initiated and incorporated into the planning
structure in a previous time frame.
5. URGENCY indicates the level of need. All projects within this
Master Plan have a demonstrated need, but the level of
urgency varies based on the availability of a particular amenity
or program as compared to the demand. Urgency can also be
a consideration of time sensitivity. For example, if a project
will influence or guide future operations, such as development
of open space conservation plans, that project would have
a high level of urgency. A project could also be considered
high urgency if failure to act results in a missed opportunity,
such as purchase of an available open parcel that could be
dedicated as parkland.
PROJECT AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
The following pages provide information about proposed programs
and projects and assign the appropriate criteria for prioritization to
each of the programs and projects. The graphic on the left indicates
the ranges of each factor that will be seen in this section.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to High
CAPITAL COST
$ to $$$$
OPERATING COST
$ to $$$$
TIME FRAME
Near, Mid, or Long
URGENCY
Low, Medium, or High
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$
OPERATING COST
$$$
TIME FRAME
Near (Study and Planning)
Near to Long (Construction)
URGENCY
High
Enhance existing sport fields
With current high demand, heavy wear and potential future growth,
improving and maintaining the City’s large open play fields with
limited resources (water & maintenance budget) requires a clear
plan to maintain quality and longevity. The following steps are
recommended for Enhancing Existing Sport Fields:
• Hire a sport field turf consultant, review and analyze the
existing City sport fields and make recommendations on
how to improve and maintain them to increase quality and
use. (Near Term)
• Develop an ongoing capital fund project that focuses on
enhancing the fields consistent with the field analysis
study. (Near to Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Outreach to sport field users and interested parties for
private donations
Major projects that need further study and strategic funding
(Arranged from High to Low Urgency)
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Plan, design and construct 10.5-acre site in Baylands for park uses
The development of the 10.5-acre Baylands site will require a long-
term planning and funding effort. Because Palo Alto is a built-out
city with limited areas to expand the park system, the planning of
the project should take into account the location of the site in the
Baylands and should start in the near term to establish the site
design and cost to complete this large project. The planning effort
will focus on the design of the site with direct community input.
Staff will strategize options for phasing and funding the project
in the near term and establishing a schedule for implementation.
Some of the possible concepts for the use of this site that came
from the public outreach include athletic fields and native habitat.
The following steps are recommended for the development of the
10.5-acre site:
• Hire a consultant to study the location and provide a
recommendation how to use the site for both athletic use
and native habitat use. (Near Term)
• Establish a phasing plan for the project for
implementation.
• Implement the recommendations of the study.
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Outreach to sport field users and interested parties for
private donations
• Native habitat and restoration grants
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$$
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near (Planning and Design)
Near to Mid (Construction)
URGENCY
High
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$ to $$$$
OPERATING COST
$$ to $$$$
TIME FRAME
Near (Planning and Design)
Mid to Long (Construction)
URGENCY
High (Planning and Design)
Medium to High (Developing)
Plan, design and redevelop Cubberley Community Center
Cubberley Community Center currently sits on a 35-acre site, of
which 8 acres are owned by the City and the remaining 27 acres are
owned by the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). The City
leases the PAUSD’s 27 acres and operates the community center
on the combined 35-acre site. The City and PAUSD have committed
to jointly develop a plan for the future of the entire Cubberley
Community Center site that represents the administrative,
educational and community needs of the School District and the
City. Planning and design of the site will require an assessment
of the current and projected future needs of the community with
respect to education and recreation. Information and data gathered
as part of this Master Planning effort and the Citizens Advisory
Committee process will help to inform the needs assessment for
Cubberley. Future renovations will provide increased and enhanced
services to the community.
The following steps are recommended to support the future
implementation of this project:
• Formalize an agreement between the City and School
District will for future development and renovation of the
site. (Near Term)
• Prepare a comprehensive master planning study for the
site, including a needs assessment. (Near Term)
• Develop a funding strategy for implementation of the
Master Plan. (Near Term)
• Develop a long-range implementation plan. (Near to Mid
Term)
• Implement the master plan. (Mid to Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
• Consider the passing of a bond
• Grants
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$$
OPERATING COST
$$$$
TIME FRAME
Mid (Planning and Design)
Long (Construction)
URGENCY
Medium (Planning and Design)
Medium (Developing)
Plan, design and construct a new gymnasium
Currently the City of Palo Alto has no gymnasiums of its own. A
gymnasium at the Cubberley Community Center is the main gym
utilized by the City, but is owned by Palo Alto Unified School District
and operated by the City through a lease agreement. The middle
school gyms are used for middle school athletic programs, while
the Lucie Stern Community Center and Mitchell Park Community
Center are utilized for a variety of physical and social activities.
As of means of responding to growth and to maintain, expand
and provide future programming, at least one multi-purpose
gymnasium is recognized as a community need.
The following steps are recommended in the future renovation and
development of this site:
• Consider a gymnasium as part of the planning effort for
the Cubberley Community Center and determine if it is
compatible with the development direction of the site or
if another separate location should be considered. (Near
Term)
• Develop a funding strategy for implementation of a new
gymnasium, or multiple gyms in one building if funding
allows. (Near Term)
• Plan and design. (Near to Mid Term)
• Construct gymnasium project. (Mid to Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Park impact fees
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
• Consider the passing of a bond
• Grants
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$$
OPERATING COST
$$$$
TIME FRAME
Mid (Planning and Design)
Long (Construction)
URGENCY
Medium (Planning and Design)
Medium (Developing)
Improve the Rinconada Park pool facility
The pool facility at Rinconada Park is the only City-owned pool
facility. During its operational season the pool is in high demand
from the community and local swim groups. To meet growing
demand, a programming policy to open the pool for a longer
season and extended times is being explored. Along with increased
demand comes the needs for pool facility improvements. The
existing lap pool is undersized to meet demand in both overall
size and swimming length, falling a few feet short of a regulation
pool length. The existing locker room and restroom facilities are
small and lack separate areas for children, families and adults.
Appropriate pool facility improvements were identified in the
Rinconada Master Plan. They include:
• Expanding and reconfiguring the existing lap pool,
• Fully remodeling the existing locker room and restroom
building,
• Adding a much-needed community room for meetings and
training, and
• Expanding the deck area around the pool for seating.
The following steps are recommended in the future renovation and
development of this site:
• Develop a funding strategy for implementation of a full
pool remodel. (Near Term)
• Plan and design. (Near to Mid Term)
• Remodel Rinconada Pool. (Mid to Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Park impact fees
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Incorporate the 7.7-acre site into Foothills Park
The development of the 7.7-acre site at Foothills Park will require
a long-range planning and funding effort. The planning of the
project should start in the near term to develop the site design
and identify funding to complete this large project. The planning
effort will focus on the design of the site with direct community
input. As a precursor to the project, a hydrological study of Buckeye
Creek will be completed (September 2017) to understand how the
solutions to the Creek’s erosion problem frame the possible uses
for the 7.7-acres. Staff will research options for funding the project
in the near term and establish a schedule for implementation.
Public recommendations for possible uses of the site ranged from
restoring the site to developing it for some form of recreation.
The following steps are recommended for the future renovation
and development of this site:
• Hire a consultant to recommend options and pricing for
restoring the 7.7-acre site. (Near Term)
• Establish a phasing plan for the project for
implementation. (Near Term)
• Develop a funding strategy. (Near Term)
• Implement the recommendations of the study. (Near to
Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Park impact fees
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
• Grants
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium to High
CAPITAL COST
$$$ to $$$$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near (Planning and Design)
Near to Mid (Construction)
URGENCY
High (Opening Area to Public)
Low (Developing)
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Acquire new parkland in high-need areas
Expand parkland inventory in Palo Alto’s Urban Service Area where
gaps exist geographically as illustrated in the Park Search Areas
System Concept Map (Figure 8).
While this is a long-term effort, there are short-term strategies
and actions needed to achieve results. Based on the goal, policy
and program described in Chapter Four 1.B.1-12, some near-term
actions include review of all City-owned land and easements
(starting in park search areas) for potential parkland development
or connection locations, and evaluation of City-owned or controlled
spaces serving, or capable of serving, park-like or recreational uses
for potential dedication as parkland.
The following additional steps are recommended for acquiring new
parkland:
• Develop and implement a strategy to build up funding
sufficient for future parkland acquisitions.
• Review all City-owned property in the high-needs areas
for parkland potential.
• Develop a process to review and pursue potential
properties available for acquisition or long-term lease for
park purposes.
• Review options to increase development fees to facilitate
future acquisitions.
• Identify undeveloped properties in high-needs areas and
pursue purchasing or long-term lease agreements with
the owner.
• Develop a process to accept private donations and
bequests of money for parkland.
The following steps are recommended to gain community access to
additional parkland through partnerships:
• Collaborate with the School District to make school
grounds open space available for use by the surrounding
communities during non-school hours.
• Contribute to planning, funding and maintaining the
construction of park elements on school grounds in
collaboration with the School District to ensure community
access and provide needed park amenities to high-needs
areas.
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$$
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
High (Funding Strategy)Medium (Implementation)
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
High
CAPITAL COST
$$$
OPERATING COST
$$$
TIME FRAME
Mid (Planning and Design)
Long (Construction)
URGENCY
Medium (Planning and Design)
Medium (Developing)
Golf course facility improvements
The pro shop, clubhouse and parking lot facilities were not included
in the scope of work of the newly renovated golf course. Each of
these facilities needs improvements to maintain the viability of
the overall golf course facility. Improvements would include a full
remodel of the existing clubhouse and pro shop building with an
expansion of a larger multi-purpose room that could be used for
community and private events. Reconfiguration of the large asphalt
parking lot to create a better entry statement when arriving to the
golf course facility is also necessary.
The following steps are recommended for improvement of the golf
course facility:
• Hire a golf course consultant to review and analyze the
existing facilities and make recommendations on how to
improve quality and overall use, along with an operating
cost study that reviews potential improvement options for
generating revenue. (Near Term)
• Establish a phasing plan for the project for
implementation.
• Implement the recommendations of the analysis and
study.
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Park impact fees
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
• Consider the passing of a bond
• Grants
94
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$$
OPERATING COST
$ to $$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
High
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
High
Develop conservation plans for open space preserves
Comprehensive conservation plans are necessary to develop
guiding principles and best management practices for holistic
management of Palo Alto’s open space preserves and to balance
ecosystem protection, environmental education and passive
recreational uses. Conservation plans will be completed for the
Baylands, Foothills Park, Pearson-Arastradero, and Esther Clark
Preserves and will provide City staff, the Parks and Recreation
Commission and City Council with clear direction on how to manage
Palo Alto’s open space preserves using an ecosystem-based model
that considers both conservation and recreation goals of this
master plan.
Develop new dog parks in underrepresented areas
There are currently three dog parks in Palo Alto, all of which are
located south of Oregon Expressway. The lack of dog parks on
the north side of the City, together with the prevalence of people
allowing dogs to run off-leash outside of designated dog parks
in parks and on school property, underscores the need for more
off-leash dog parks in the near term. Locations for dog parks have
been strategically selected at certain parks and planning efforts are
underway. Existing park features such as native trees, public art
and playground equipment as well as community feedback all will
be considered when planning for the construction of a dog park.
The addition of dog parks will be phased and is proposed to occur in
the near- and mid-term.
Projects ready in the short term
(Arranged from High to Low Urgency)
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
High
Construct new restrooms in parks
Through this planning process, the community generally came to
a consensus that restrooms make sense in parks with amenities
that draw people, especially children and seniors, and encourage
them stay at the park for a span of time. Though there have been
varying opinions regarding specific sites, additional review will be
conducted to site restrooms and identify security measures such
as automatic locking mechanisms and lighting, addressing some of
the concerns related to restrooms.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$ to $$
OPERATING COST
0 to $
TIME FRAME
Near (Strategic Plan)
Ongoing (Implementation)
URGENCY
High
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$ to $$$
OPERATING COST
$ to $$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Medium to High
Incorporate sustainable practices in the maintenance and management of parks, open space and recreation facilities
Staff responsible for the care of Palo Alto’s parks and open space
will commit to staying current with sustainable practices. As part
of this effort, staff will develop a strategic plan for incorporating
sustainable practices for maintenance and management of parks,
open space and facilities, including updating current practices.
Maintenance staff will consult with the City’s Sustainability
Department to discuss how they can help meet the sustainable
goals of the Sustainability Master Plan (under development as of
the adoption of this Master Plan), and to develop measures for
tracking the adoption of sustainable maintenance practices.
Exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements in parks
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides regulations that
inform and guide the amenities and design of parks and requires
an ADA Transition Plan to remove barriers that may prevent people
with disabilities from fully enjoying the City’s parks and recreation
services. The ADA requirements represent the legal minimum that
is required. Feedback from the community during the Master Plan
process was supportive that Palo Alto seek, when possible, to
exceed ADA minimums and strive for universal accessibility, where
people of all abilities can utilize and enjoy parks. During all parks-
related capital improvement projects, staff will not only update
amenities and design to current ADA standards, but will also seek
opportunities to achieve universal access. This will occur in the near
term and will be ongoing.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$ to $$$
OPERATING COST
$ to $$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Medium
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Medium to Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low to High (Depends on drought status)
Improve trail connections and access
Improving trail connections and access to parks and open space
areas was identified as an important priority by the community.
Linkages to parks also promote the “Green Necklace” vision for
the City and allow regional connections to adjacent cities and open
natural areas. Staff will utilize existing capital improvement projects
as a platform on which to improve trail connections into parks,
access and connections between parks and between multi-modal
trails. They will also seek to provide linkages to regional trails
and neighboring agency sites. In addition, staff will identify trail
connections and improvements that will require new individual
capital projects, up to and including purchasing land, and will
propose those through the City’s CIP process.
Develop adult fitness areas in parks
Health and fitness is a priority for the Palo Alto community and an
important reason for park use. Palo Alto can help support health
and wellness for adults and older adults, a population segment that
is growing, by providing outdoor fitness options, especially in close
proximity to playgrounds, creating a multi-generational playground.
These adult fitness areas can take on a variety of forms: from
outdoor workout equipment areas (free weight and cardio
machines) to simple open rubber surface areas for open activity
(e.g., yoga, meditation, weight and cardiovascular training). These
spaces will be designed for both individual use and group gathering
and as a means of activating a park, and will be a high-value, simple
addition during park renovation projects.
Integrate nature into urban parks
This project includes converting areas in parks, usually turfgrass
that is not used for recreation, into native plantings (e.g. riparian,
grassland or oak woodland) or a specific habitat planting (e.g.,
pollinator, hummingbird or butterfly). This type of project may also
include bioswales designed to maintain on-site drainage and create
habitat, and may even include aspects of a natural play area.
9796
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
Develop new community gardens in underserved areas
Community gardens provide a place for healthy outdoor activity,
social gathering and community connections. Ultimately,
community gardens should be evenly distributed throughout the
park system. Staff will look for opportunities to add community
gardens when parks are renovated, looking for underutilized
turfgrass or planting areas as potential locations for community
gardens. In addition, staff will seek to expand the variety of
community gardening opportunities, by considering children’s or
inclusive garden plots or even entire community gardens.
Enhance seating areas in parks
Seating is an important part of creating a welcoming park
environment and was identified as a priority by community
members during the outreach process. When park renovations
occur, staff will identify opportunities to enhance seating areas
(making them more comfortable and functional) or provide
additional seating. Enhancements may include providing more
seating, providing additional seating options (e.g., movable seating,
artist-designed or embellished benches), and creating enclosures
to define the seating area as a low-activity area used for urban
retreat.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium to High
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
Create wayfinding signage showing safe routes to parks
Wayfinding signage is a means of connecting and expanding the
park system. Wayfinding signage designed to direct the community
to designated safe routes between parks will help provide
linkages between all of Palo Alto’s open spaces, which will in turn
expand the system. The Community Services, Public Works and
Transportation departments will work together to establish these
safe routes and engage the community for wayfinding and route
options. Future infrastructure development of these safe routes
may also include the addition of park-like features along the length
of the route to further expand the park system.
The following steps are recommended for wayfinding signage
showing safe routes to parks:
• Hire a consultant to put together a proposed signage
design, layout and phasing for the project. (Near Term)
• Work with City, the community and stakeholders to
develop the overall safe routes to parks plan. (Near Term)
• Develop a funding strategy for implementation. (Near
Term)
• Implement the design. (Near to Long Term)
FUNDING OPTIONS
• Capital improvement funds
• Park impact fees
• Outreach to the general community for private donations
• Grants
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Establish and grow partnerships and identify and cultivate potential park and recreation donors
In collaboration with the Friends of Palo Alto Parks and the Palo
Alto Recreation Foundation among other partners, Palo Alto will
develop a marketing campaign to engage members of the public
to volunteer and contribute financially to the improvement and
expansion of Palo Alto’s parks, open space and recreation programs
and facilities.
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
High
Programs
Expand recruitment and training of coaches and instructors
Palo Alto staff will develop a system and strategies to broaden
the recruitment and training of coaches and instructors, including
exploring public/private partnerships, to meet the programming
demands of the City and to ensure staffing of high-quality, qualified
coaches and instructors.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
High
Expand aquatics programs
Community feedback has consistently shown that residents
want more pool access during the day and into the spring and fall
seasons. Both recreational swimming and swim lessons are in
high demand, and added pool hours would allow more aquatics
programs to occur. City staff will provide expanded programs and
explore new aquatic programs, such as water polo and water
fitness classes, that would add to the diversity of programming.
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
High
100
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Expand programs for seniors
With the population of older adults and seniors in Palo Alto
projected to be on the rise, Palo Alto will need to adjust program
offerings to meet demand, especially programs tailored to the
needs of active seniors. This may include both indoor and outdoor
activities. Staff will also coordinate with Avenidas as an important
part of the planning effort to ensure that redundancy is minimized
and enhancements are based on needs and gaps in the current
level of service.
Expand non-academic programs for teens
Palo Alto will implement recreation programs and services to
provide additional opportunities for teens to explore a wide
variety of non-academic interests in an accessible, relaxed
and fun environment. Examples of current programs include
the MakeX maker space, Think Fund Grant program and the
counselor-in-training program. Enhancing and expanding these
types of programs is important to provide balance in the busy and
demanding lives of teens.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
Medium to High
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
Medium
Collaborate with School District to increase access to playgrounds, gyms and other school facilities
City staff will work with PAUSD to increase access to playgrounds,
gyms and other school facilities. Staff will concentrate on specific
locations in the city with limited park space with the intent of
ensuring access to school open areas and playgrounds during non-
school hours, and establishing a gym use agreement for additional
City programs and activities in school gyms during non-school
hours.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
Medium
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Provide intramural sports program for middle and high school students
Intramural sports provide the opportunity for children to learn
a new sport, develop social skills, practice teamwork and build
friendships. They also promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Palo
Alto will explore creating an intramural sports program for middle
and high school students. Implementation of intramurals will
require coordination with PAUSD and would require additional field
and gym space.
Increase the variety of activities available in parks
When renovating parks, Palo Alto staff will explore adding
both active and passive spaces and elements to increase the
variety of activities that can be experienced in a particular park.
Recommended additions to a park should consider the user groups
of the parks as well as different age groups. Further engagement
of the community should be considered. Examples of potential
elements include: outdoor gathering areas, small-scale active
spaces (bocce, pickleball courts), and quiet retreat spaces.
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
Medium
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to High
CAPITAL COST
$ to $$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
Medium
Invest in staff training to enhance therapeutic and inclusive program development
The Palo Alto community highly values accessibility and inclusion.
Community Services will expand therapeutic and inclusive
programming, including increasing funding for staff training in this
area.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Encourage unstructured play at parks and community centers
Providing spaces and programs, both indoors and outdoors,
where children can play in a less structured format, away from
electronic devices, encourages creativity and problem solving and
fosters social connections with other youth. Palo Alto will support
unstructured play, such as providing space for “pick-up” games,
providing sports equipment in parks and gyms, and offering
programs with minimal direction and oversight.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to Medium
CAPITAL COST
N/A to $
OPERATING COST
$ to $$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Low
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to Medium
CAPITAL COST
N/A
OPERATING COST
$ to $$
TIME FRAME
Near
URGENCY
Low
Connect youth, teens and families with nature
Parks and open space preserves provide a direct connection to
nature. Connecting people to nature provides benefits to physical,
emotional and mental health and encourages preservation and
environmental education. Palo Alto will provide more programs
that focus on nature or take place in natural settings, and that are
geared toward specific age groups and families, enhancing the
community’s connection to nature.
Expand programs related to health and wellness
In recent years, Council has identified healthy city and healthy
community as a Council priority. Efforts underway include the
Healthy City Healthy Community Initiative, an annual health fair,
fitness classes and programs specific to teens. Palo Alto will
develop additional programming to encourage a healthy city and
community on an annual basis based on community need.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
PLANNING EFFORT
Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Long
URGENCY
Low
Expand community-focused special events
Palo Alto will develop a yearly community survey to determine
the popularity of current special events and explore possible
new events. Staff will use survey results to pilot new events and
determine the feasibility of continuing these in the future.
Offer cultural enrichment programs
Community Services will develop cultural enrichment programs
that celebrate the diversity of Palo Alto’s community. This will
create opportunities for the community to come together and share
their distinct cultural backgrounds.
PLANNING EFFORT
Low to Medium
CAPITAL COST
$
OPERATING COST
$
TIME FRAME
Near to Mid
URGENCY
Low
Pilot temporary/pop-up programming in parks
Palo Alto staff will develop a program series that would bring
activities to parks. Further review to identify locations for potential
pop-up programming sites will be carried out by Community
Services staff, who will also schedule and promote pop-up
programs. Examples of pop-up programs include: play activities;
fitness activities such as yoga or tai chi; nature-oriented programs
such as bird watching and park tree walks, or arts-related activities
such as painting or music.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Action Plan
The complete set of projects and programs identified during the
Master Plan process are summarized in a working document called
the Action Plan. The Action Plan is maintained separately from
this Master Plan document and is designed to adapt and change
with the completion of projects, passage of time and shifting
funding opportunities. Each project and program is described in
terms of location, the relevant element of the system and the
plan framework reference (which policy the project or program
originates from). The action plan also indicates the anticipated
year(s) of implementation and the total estimated costs (capital
and operational). Capital costs are broken down between planning/
design and the implementation of the project. Operation costs
are further clarified by the staff time required per year of project
implementation.
The action plan allows a comprehensive look at the projects and
programs resulting from this Master Plan. Each year, as the next
year is added to the CIP, the Action Plan will feed a new set of
projects based on the timelines as they have evolved. Further, new
projects will continue to be added to the Action Plan, using the
prioritization process described earlier in this chapter.Shown below are examples of action plans ( top: program) (below: projects)
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Funding Today and Tomorrow
The City of Palo Alto uses a minimum of seven funding sources
for the majority of its capital, operational and recreation program
funding:
• General Fund
• Consumer and Participant Fees
(which go to the General Fund)
• Parkland Dedication Fees
• Development Impact Fees
• Public Private Partnerships
• Grants
• Donations
These funding sources are defined and described in Appendix D:
Existing Funding Sources.
There are limitations (both statutory and in practice) on the use
of many of the existing funding sources. Table 5 summarizes
EXISTING FUNDING
SOURCE
CAPITAL OPERATIONAL/
PROGRAMMING
GENERAL FUND
PARKLAND DEDICATION
FEES
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT
FEES
PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS
GRANTS
DONATIONS
KEY
ELIGIBLE
LIMITED
NOT ELIGIBLE
TABLE 5: FUNDING APPLICABILITY
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
the existing funding sources by their applicability to capital and
operational projects and programs.
In addition, Palo Alto’s Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission
(IBRC) process established a schedule to “Keep-Up” with the
current maintenance needs of City-owned parks, facilities and
open space. The Commission also identified maintenance needs
that had not been planned and the cost and schedule to “Catch Up.”
City Staff has utilized the IBRC process over the past five years to
schedule needed maintenance and have greatly reduced the “Catch
Up” items.
Potential Funding Options
Although there are multiple funding sources for capital and
operating projects and programs, there remains a gap in funding.
While the total capital funding needed for new projects is
substantial, the limited options currently available for maintenance,
operations and programming funding is a bigger constraint on
achieving the Master Plan goals. The potential for a funding method
to expand funding for maintenance, operations and programming
should be carefully considered as the City explores options to fill
the funding gap.
EXPAND EXISTING FUNDING OPTIONS
One important option is increasing the amount of funding from
existing sources. The General Fund could be expanded by increasing
revenue generation.
• Parkland dedication fees could be reevaluated to ensure
the rates are keeping up with land costs.
• Development impact fees could be increased through
action by the City Council.
• Donations and grants could also be expanded with effort
by the City.
• Public-private partnerships could include allocating staff
time, creating a new position focused on expanding these
sources, or hiring a consultant experienced with grant
writing.
• Participation and membership fees could be evaluated
to increase cost recovery and to help pay for new and
enhanced programs and services.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
EXAMPLES OF PAST SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Heritage Park
In 2007, the Friends of Heritage Park gave the City a donation
of $197,572 to contribute toward a capital project to build the
Heritage Park Playground. The City contributed $75,000 toward
the project. Council approved a limited-term agreement with
the Friends of Heritage Park to design, construct and install the
playground facilities and other improvements at Heritage Park.
Magical Bridge Playground
The City partnered with the Friends of the Magical Bridge to
design and build Palo Alto’s first “inclusive” playground at Mitchell
Park. The City contributed the land and $300,000 to the project
for planning and design purposes, while the Friends contributed
approximately $3.5 million for construction. A grant was also
secured for $80,000 for improvements to the pathways that lead
to the playground. The playground opened to the public in April
2015 and is a regional draw, winning several design awards and
high praise from the community.
Lytton Plaza Renovation
The City formed a public-private partnership with the Friends
of Lytton Plaza to renovate Lytton Plaza. The Friends donated
$750,000 for the renovation of the plaza. The project was
completed in December 2009.
Acquisition of new park land at the Pearson-Arastradero
Preserve
The City contributed $1,110,305 along with $2,592,210 in grant
money for the acquisition of 13-acre open space Bressler Property
from the Peninsula Open Space Trust. In October 2002, the
Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased a 13-acre property from the
Estate of Jacqueline Bressler with the intent of holding the parcel
for open space purposes until the City of Palo Alto could purchase
the property. The City acquired the Property and added it to the
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve in 2005.
Save the Bay Partnership:
The City partnered with Save the Bay in 2001 in order to
accomplish the shared goal of restoring sensitive wetland
habitat at the Baylands Nature Preserve. Annually, Save the Bay
contributes hundreds of hours of staff time to organize and lead
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volunteer restoration programs (thirty-five per year on average)
in the preserve. Save the Bay has also fully funded the cost to
construct a native plant nursery at the Baylands to propagate
native plants that volunteers use to restore Baylands habitat. The
partnership continues to provide benefit to the sensitive habitat
at the Baylands Nature Preserve and to the Palo Alto community
members that participate in the volunteer programs.
ISSUE BONDS
There are two types of bonds relevant to the Master Plan. While
the City Council would need to initiate either type of bond, only one
method would require a public vote.
General obligation bonds are voter-approved bonds with the
assessment placed on real property. The money can only be used
for capital improvements, not for maintenance or operations. This
property tax is levied for a specified period of time (usually 15-20
years). Passage requires a two-thirds majority approval by the
voters.
Revenue bonds are sold to finance revenue-generating facilities,
such as community centers, performing arts centers and in some
cases sports complexes. The interest and capital are paid from the
revenue produced from the operation of such a facility. The City has
to guarantee repayment, meaning that if revenue from the facility
does not cover the necessary bond payments, the City will be
required to pay from another source.
CREATE A SPECIAL DISTRICT
There are several types of special districts allowable by California
law for recreation purposes.
The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 allows any
county, city, special district, school district or joint powers authority
to establish a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District (a “CFD”)
to finance public improvements and services. The services and
improvements that Mello-Roos CFDs can finance include streets,
sewer systems and other basic infrastructure, police protection, fire
protection, ambulance services, schools, parks, libraries, museums
and other cultural facilities.
Formation of a CFD requires a two-thirds vote of residents
living within the proposed boundaries. If there are fewer than
twelve residents, then the vote is instead conducted of current
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landowners. The assessment cannot be based on property value;
instead it is based on the size of the property or square footage
of structures. By law, the CFD is also entitled to recover expenses
needed to form the CFD and administer the annual special taxes
and bonded debt. The special assessment continues until bonds
are paid off and then is typically reduced to a level to maintain the
investments.
The Landscaping and Lighting Act permits a public agency to
assess housing units or land parcels for a variety of city services,
including parks. The assessment revenues can be used for parkland
acquisition, development and/or maintenance. The agency can
choose to use the revenue generated on a pay-as-you-go basis
or can sell bonds in order to receive a lump sum amount which
is then paid back from the annual revenue generated from the
assessment. The pay-as-you-go method provides steady ongoing
revenue to fund services. Bonding against revenue provides a
larger sum to undertake a bigger project. Establishment of a new
assessment district or revision to an existing one requires a simple
majority vote of property owners.
EXCHANGE OR SELL PROPERTY
If the City has an excess piece of property, the City could sell or
trade the property to obtain a site more suitable for park use.
COMBINING MASTER PLAN PROJECT WITH OTHER
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
As the primary part of Palo Alto’s green infrastructure, the
parks, natural open space and trails system connects to many
other city services. Some projects can be vital parts of other
infrastructure projects or be applicable for funding from sources for
transportation, stormwater, flood protection and other engineered
infrastructure projects. Combining or coupling Master Plan projects
with other infrastructure projects can reduce the costs all around,
open up new funding streams, provide mitigation and achieve
multiple objectives.
ESTABLISH AN ENDOWMENT FUND FOR MAINTENANCE
Recognizing that operations and maintenance funding is not likely
to get any easier to obtain, Palo Alto could fund, or could seek
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
philanthropic donations to fund, a endowment for the long-term
maintenance of parks, natural open space or recreation facilities.
This effort could be started with a smaller, targeted effort to endow
the maintenance of a specific type of facility and then grown
over time to eventually cover a significant portion of the system
maintenance.
Evaluating Future Projects
As time passes, new ideas will emerge about how to optimize an
individual site, add to the system or change the mix of recreation
opportunities. The combination of the goals (detailed in Chapter 4)
and the prioritization criteria create a framework that can be used
to evaluate future proposals for changes to the parks, trails, natural
open space and recreation system.
Review Process
Following a similar process to developing the Master Plan projects
and programs, the review process for new ideas includes both staff
and PRC review. The review process will follow the steps below.
Step 1: Staff, individual or community group proposes a project or
program.
Step 2: Staff reviews the proposal to determine if the project
aligns with the community’s vision as expressed in the Master
Plan principles and goals. If a compelling case cannot be made, the
process stops here.
Step 3: Staff analyzes need using the same categories as in the
Needs and Opportunities (see Master Plan Chapter 3):
• Current Service/Inventory
• Level of Control
• Geographic Analysis
• Capacity/Bookings
• Perception of Quality
• Expressed Need
• Demographic Trends
• Barriers to Access/Participation
• Projected Demand
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
In some cases, information may not be readily available for staff
to make an adequate evaluation. In these cases, staff may obtain
additional data by meeting with the proposer or with local experts,
conducting regional or national research or seeking community
input. Staff may also recommend conducting a specific technical
study. Once adequate information is gathered, staff will complete
the analysis of need and document it in a brief report. If PRC review
is needed, staff will proceed to Step 4.
• Staff makes a recommendation to the PRC. Using the
results of the analysis of need (Step 3), staff evaluates
the proposal using the prioritization criteria and prepares
a staff report to the PRC with a recommendation. Staff
may recommend that the PRC add the proposed project
or program for further development and eventual addition
to the Action Plan. Staff may also recommend against the
proposal if the prioritization scoring is low. Low scoring is
an indicator that the proposal is not a priority, compared to
all opportunities.
• The PRC considers the staff’s recommendation at a
meeting. The proposer is encouraged to attend and to
present the proposal. After consideration at the meeting,
the PRC makes a determination and directs staff how to
proceed.
For proposals recommended for further action, staff can explore
the financial and practical considerations and incorporate the
proposal into Action Plan and/or the CIP process as applicable.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Progress Reporting
Palo Alto annually collects data, both internally and from the
community, to measure and track performance, budget and
expenditures. These existing measures provide a large selection
of data points to draw from when looking at any part of the parks,
trails, natural open space and recreation system, including annual
trends. Many of the existing indicators are directly related to
Master Plan goals, while others indirectly provide valuable insight
into the progress of the Master Plan.
Palo Alto has a standing practice of reporting on the annual
National Citizen Survey1, a citizen satisfaction survey, as well as a
performance-based Citizen Centric Report2, both of which provide
data on parks and recreation programs and services. A City-wide
Performance Report that provides information to City Council,
management and the public contains information on spending,
staffing, workload and performance results. In addition, there is
internal reporting at the department level that informs program
and service delivery decisions, budget proposals and policy and
procedure changes. Below are the indicators and measures that
Palo Alto currently collects, along with additional recommended
indicators to effectively monitor and report on Master Plan
progress.
1The National Citizen Survey™ is a collaborative effort between the Nation-
al Research Center, Inc., (NRC) and the International City/County Manage-
ment Association. The NRC uses a statistically valid survey methodology to
gather resident opinions across a range of community issues, including the
quality of the community and services provided by the local government.
2 The Citizen Centric Report is a summary document highlighting perfor-
mance, financial data and an overview of the City’s economic outlook.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
TABLE 6: EXISTING INDICATORS
Indicator Rating Source
Goals
1 2 3 4 5 6
Please rate each of the following
characteristics as they relate to Palo
Alto as a whole:
• Availability of paths and
walking trails
• Public places where people
want to spend time
• Fitness opportunities (including
exercise classes and paths or
trails, etc.)
• Recreational opportunities
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
5=Don’t Know
National Citizen
Survey X X X X
In the last 12 months, about how
many times, if at all, have you or
other household members done
each of the following in Palo
Alto?
• Used Palo Alto recreation
centers or their services
• Visited a neighborhood park or
City park
1=2 times a week
or more
2=2-4 times a
month
3= Once a month
or less
4=Not at all
National Citizen
Survey X X X X
Please rate the quality of each of the
following services in Palo Alto:
• City parks
• Recreation programs or classes
• Recreation centers or facilities
• Preservation of natural areas
such as open space, farmlands
and greenbelts
• Palo Alto open space
• Your neighborhood park
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
5=Don’t Know
National Citizen
Survey X X X X X X
Please rate the quality of Palo Alto’s
trees and landscaping for Parks
1=Excellent
2=Good
3=Fair
4=Poor
5=Don’t Know
National Citizen
Survey X X
Suggested improvements to
Parks or Recreation Activities and
Programs (open-ended question,
which may change annually)
N/A National Citizen
Survey X X X X X X
Parks/Land Maintained by
Community Services # of acres
City of Palo Alto
Performance
Report
X
Participants in community garden
program # of participants
City of Palo Alto
Performance Report X
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
Indicator Rating Source
Goals
1 2 3 4 5 6
Visitors at Foothills Park # of visitors
City of Palo Alto
Performance
Report
X X X X
Community Services volunteer hours
in restorative/resource management
programs and neighborhood parks
# of hours
City of Palo Alto
Performance
Report
X X
Enrollment in recreation classes and
camps:
• Summer camps and aquatics
• Kids (excluding camps)
• Adults
• Preschool
# of enrolled
participants
City of Palo Alto
Performance
Report
X X X X X X
Participants in teen programs # of participants
City of Palo Alto
Performance
Report
X X
Amount of General Fund
expenditures spent on Community
Services
Percent of total
expenditures
Citizen Centric
Report X X X X X X
TABLE 6: EXISTING INDICATORS (CONTINUED)
To track progress on Master Plan implementation, additional
specific measurable indicators that relate directly to the goals,
policies and programs were identified. These will be applied and
reported annually to the PRC, City Council and the community.
Additional indicators may be added if a need is identified by staff,
the PRC or City Council. Table 7 lists the recommended additional
indicators.
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
TABLE 7: RECOMMENDED INDICATORS
Recommended Indicator
Goals
1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of park visitors X X X
Number of visits to community centers, pools and recreation sites X
Diversity of participation and visitors age/culture/ abilities X
Senior participation numbers in recreation programs and services X X
Percent of residents satisfied or very satisfied with the affordability
of recreation programs X
Percent of residents satisfied or very satisfied with the inclusivity
of recreation programs X
Percent of residents satisfied or very satisfied with the accessibility
of recreation programs X
Percent of residents who rate the number and variety of recreation
programs as good or very good X X
Number of participants in outdoor education programs X X X
Number of new recreation programs, events and locations piloted X X
Percentage of residents who live within a ½ mile distance of a City
park X
Number of acres dedicated as parkland X
Number of projects that improved accessibility by meeting or
exceeding American Disability Act requirements X
Number of dog park users by site X X
Number of timeslots used on sports fields X X X
Percent of sports fields in the community available for use X X X X
Acres of new native landscape and new habitat X X
Number of public restrooms in parks X
Percent of potable water use reduced (based on 2013 base year)X
Amount of funding obtained from grants, sponsorships and other
private funding sources X
Recreation Division budget that is derived from recreation fees X
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation IMPLEMENTATION
A Message from the Parks and Recreation Commission
After almost two years of effort, outreach and collaboration we are pleased to share the City of Palo Alto’s Parks, Trails, Natural
Open Space and Recreation Master Plan (Parks Master Plan) that will guide the future of these treasured assets for the next
20 years.
Through multiple research techniques and at multiple points in this process we confirmed that Palo Alto residents cherish
their parks and recreation programs. Their feedback - corroborated by national studies - confirms that parks are highly valued
not just for their beauty or enjoyable experiences, but for a connection that is much deeper. They are valued because they
contribute directly to one’s fundamental mental and physical health, even for those who are only rare or occasional users. Palo
Alto’s parks, open space and recreation programs and facilities enhance our connections with people and nature, our sense of
community and our very quality of life.
The Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan was undertaken to ensure the City provides for the ongoing
health and well-being of all our citizens as we move into the future - and to provide the City the strategic direction for doing
so. Forecasted changes that demand proactive planning and funding strategies include an increase in Palo Alto’s population,
substantial changes in the demographic makeup of our citizens, and further competition for available land from expected office
and housing growth.
The plan identifies and addresses the current gaps in services and real needs for change such as adapting parks and programs
to a growing senior citizen population, improving access and programming to embrace all members of our diverse community,
and creating more parkland over time to handle the forecasted population increase. It also addresses preferred amenities and
enhancements to parks expressed by citizens and highlights gaps in resources available for maintenance and operations.
This process established that not only must we preserve and maintain our valued existing parks and programs, but we also
must invest in critical new projects to meet verified needs and increasing demand. This plan outlines the road map and process
to do both. Implementing the master plan will require a focused and dedicated commitment from both the City and the public,
in partnership, to fund and enhance this vital civic infrastructure.
Thank you to all who have participated - citizens, Commissioners, staff members, stakeholders, and City Council -and to those
who have invested countless hours to bring this effort to reality. The Parks and Recreation Commission calls on all Palo Altans
to help us realize the vision embodied in the Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, for this vision can
only be realized with the community’s enthusiasm and commitment.
City of Palo Alto
Parks and Recreation Commission
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Glossary
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Capital Project: Any physical improvement with a minimal cost of
$50,000, a useful life of at least 5-7 years, or that extends the life
of an existing asset by at least 5 years. Planning and design are
considered a part of a capital project.
Creek/Riparian Enhancement: Conceptual enhancement
opportunity for all of the creeks passing through Palo Alto.
Element: One of three divisions of the plan for analysis purposes:
parks, trails and natural open space; recreation facilities; and
recreation programs.
Enhanced Bicycle and Pedestrian Route: A concept to improve
routes identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to
create a network of high-quality on- and off-street connections
that link parks. These routes are envisioned to have enhanced
crossings, street treatments and other improvements beyond the
bicycle infrastructure outlined in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
Streetscape and plantings are also linked to the idea of Pollinator
Pathways.
Facility: A built feature in a park or preserve that adds, supports or
enhances a recreation activity.
Goals: A broad statement of direction describing the desired end
state. Goals are qualitative in nature and collectively should achieve
the system envisioned by the principles.
Mean Projected High Water 3-Foot Sea Level Rise: The line at
which water meets the land surface at the mean high water point
projected in NOAA models for 3 feet of sea level rise.
Natural Open Space Preserve: A category of parkland that is
designated to protect and provide access to nature. The four
natural open space preserves are: Baylands Preserve (which
includes Byxbee Park), Esther Clark Preserve, Foothills Park and
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve.
Park Connector: A conceptual second tier of enhanced bicycle and
pedestrian routes that link the major routes to a few isolated sites.
Park Search Area: The inverse of the park service areas,
highlighting the areas outside of a ½-mile walk from any parkland.
These areas are the targets for strategies to add to the park
system.
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Policy: A values-based framework that provides clear direction and
guides an action toward achieving the goal. Policies state what will
be done, but not how.
Pollinator Pathway: A concept for pathways, utilizing the Enhanced
Bicycle and Pedestrian Route network, that feature plantings and
tree canopy along the streetscape to enhance habitat connections
for birds and insects with multiple benefits, including enhancing
pollination.
Principles: A fundamental basis that describes a desired state or
preferred direction. Collectively, the principles articulate the Palo
Alto community’s vision for the future parks, trails, natural open
space and recreation system.
Recreation Program: A class, league, camp, tour or event that
facilitates participating in an activity.
Riparian Connected Parks: Sites with a creek (natural or
channelized) passing through or adjacent.
Universal Design: “The concept of designing all products and the
built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent
possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in
life.” - Ronald L. Mace of North Carolina State University, College of
Design
Urban Canopy Target Area: The lowest canopy coverage
neighborhoods in the Urban Forestry Master Plan (0-30%
coverage).
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Glossary
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Bibliography
118
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Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Photo Credits
Photo Credits
The photos in this document were provided by the City of Palo Alto unless credited below.
Page xi
TOP: hustace_mig_santeepark_7321, MIG, Inc.
MIDDLE: P6240900, Ryan Mottau, MIG, Inc.
BOTTOM: Outdoor Fitness Machines, Barry Cawston, http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_
id=3978634
Page xii
TOP: 2012billyhustace_0812_7826_darker, MIG, Inc.
Page xiv
MIDDLE: hustace_0412_anaheimcove_0432, MIG, Inc.
BOTTOM: 8_BigBird’s Climbing Nest06, http://www.japanesesearch.com/big-birds-climbing-nest-in-
universal-studios-osaka/
Page 11
2011.05.28-027-Snowy-Egret-cedMed.jpg, Citizen Science League. http://csl.dynamicpatterns.
com/2011/05/28/nesting-season-at-the-palo-alto-baylands/
Page 54
P1030296.jpg, Advocates for Privately Owned Public Space, The Municipal Art Society of New York,
http://apops.mas.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1030296.jpg
Page 58
TOP: 1-2-JCWCEVENT_NaturalAreas, David F. Ashton, http://eastpdxnews.com/general-news-features/
hundreds-of-volunteers-clean-up-johnson-creek/
Page 60
BOTTOM: AA DroughtQ&A2, Andy Alfaro, http://www.modbee.com/news/article22403646.html
124
Page 61
TOP: McAllisterdogpark, San Antonio Parks & Rec, http://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/
ParksFacilities/AllParksFacilities/ParksFacilitiesDetails/TabId/3354/ArtMID/14820/ArticleID/2578/
McAllister-Park.aspx?Park=141&Facility=
BOTTOM: dog_parkrk, Username: Fidelity http://www.doggoes.com/parks/california/san-mateo-
county/foster-city-dog-park-boat-park
Page 62
TOP: Community-Garden, MIG, Inc.
BOTTOM: 6-East-Palo-Alto-United-States1, 350.org, http://lifeasahuman.com/2010/current-affairs/
social-issues/10-ways-to-celebrate-10-10-10/
Page 63
606wide, Jeff Banowetz, https://rootsrated.com/stories/new-proposed-bike-lanes-could-change-the-
way-you-ride-in-chicago
Page 64
PA7.jpg, Upper Playground. http://www.upperplayground.com/blogs/news-upperplay-
ground/15493048-brilliance-new-interactive-illuminated-sculpture-garden-in-palo-alto
Page 66
TOP: Earth Day 045, Dr. Laura Russomano, http://character.org/schools-of-character/promising-
practices-overview/promising-practices-award-winners/winners-list/promising-practices-2012/
theunis-dey/
BOTTOM: Julio great horned owl2, MIG, Inc.
Page 68
TOP: INSTALLATIONS_c984b34b42fe0469a8f60619532cfdf0, JUSTIN SAGLIO, https://www.
bostonglobe.com/arts/theater-art/2014/09/11/interactive-art-piece-swing-time-lights-
lawn/4UQQCGiRZ0lPDysO4IYxNK/story.html
BOTTOM: The porch, MIG, Inc.
Page 69
150dpiUCBUnderhill-1024wx500h.jpg, Watry Design, http://watrydesign.com/projects/uc-berkeley-un-
derhill-parking-structure
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Photo Credits
125124
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation
Page 70
3876 Noriega Street SF Devils-teeth-baking-company, MIG, Inc.
Page 73
BOTTOM: Parachute solar flowers, Garfield Clean Energy, http://www.postindependent.com/news/in-solar-energy-
rifle-shines-most-brightly/
Page 75
stormwaterplanter_residential, sitephocus.com, https://hpigreen.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/highresdownload_
highpoint-005.jpg
Title Page, Appendix B
Youth Soccer_RAM, Ryan Mottau, MIG, Inc.
APPENDIX A
PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
THE FOLLOWING PAGES CONTAIN AN INVENTORY OF PARKS AND
RECREATION FACILITIES IN PALO ALTO.
A-1
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX A: PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
PALO ALTO PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
Ownership Address/Location La
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Baylands Athletic Center City of Palo Alto Geng Road, off Embarcadero 6 1 1
Bol Park City of Palo Alto Laguna between Barron and Matadero 13.8
Boulware Park City of Palo Alto 39 Fernando Avenue 1.5
Bowden Park City of Palo Alto Alma Street at California Avenue 2
Bowling Green Park City of Palo Alto 474 Embarcadero Road 1.9
(Juana) Briones Park City of Palo Alto Arastradero at Clemo Street 4.1
Cameron Park City of Palo Alto 211 Wellesley Street 1.1
Cogswell Plaza City of Palo Alto Lytton Avenue at Bryant Street 0.5
El Camino Park Stanford University*1 El Camino Real 12.19 1 1
Eleanor Pardee Park City of Palo Alto 851 Center Drive 9.6
El Palo Alto Park City of Palo Alto El Camino Real at Alma Street 0.5
Greer Park City of Palo Alto 198 Amarillo Street 22 1 3 5
Heritage Park City of Palo Alto Homer at Waverley 2.01
Hoover Park City of Palo Alto 291 Cowper Street 4.2 1
Hopkins Creekside City of Palo Alto Palo Alto Avenue from Emerson to Marlowe 12.4
Johnson Park City of Palo Alto Everett and Waverley 2.5
Kellogg Park City of Palo Alto Waverly at Embarcadero Road 0.245
Lytton Plaza City of Palo Alto 202 University Avenue 0.2
Mayfield Park City of Palo Alto 23 Wellesley Street 1.1
Mitchell Park City of Palo Alto 6 East Meadow Avenue 21.4
Monroe Park City of Palo Alto Monroe and Miller Avenue 0.55
Peers Park City of Palo Alto 1899 Park Boulevard 4.7
Ramos Park City of Palo Alto 8 East Meadow Avenue 4.4
Rinconada Park City of Palo Alto 777 Embarcadero Road 19
Robles Park City of Palo Alto 4116 Park Boulevard 4.7 1 1
Scott Park City of Palo Alto Scott Street at Channing Avenue 0.4
Seale Park City of Palo Alto 31 Stockton 4.3
Stanford/Palo Alto Playing Fields Stanford University*El Camino at Page Mill Road 5.9 2
Terman Park City of Palo Alto (joint shared use with PAUSD)"655 Arastradero Road 7.7 1 2
Wallis Park City of Palo Alto Grant Avenue at Ash Street 0.3
Weisshaar Park City of Palo Alto 2298 Dartmouth Street 1.1
Williams Park (Museum of American Heritage)City of Palo Alto 351 Homer Ave 0.7
Werry Park City of Palo Alto 23 Dartmouth Street 1.1
Subtotal 174.08 4 6 11
* Leased by the City of Palo Alto. The El Camino lease expires in 2042 and the Stanford/Palo Alto Playing Fields lease expires in 2056.
A-2A-1
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, & Recreation APPENDIX A: PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
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yes A 2 1 2 Concessions stand/maintenance equipment storage; restrooms equipment storage
1 E 1 perimeter trail 2 1 Un-channeled creek
1 2 perimeter trail 2
1 yes perimeter trail
1 1 Bowling green
1 E 1 2 footpath 1 1
E 1 1
1 1 Wireless internet access
yes perimeter trail 1 1
1 C 2 yes 1 3 Community gardens, multi-purpose concrete bowl
connections
B 2 1 yes 3 1 2 Skateboard park (outdated); dog "exercise area"
1 1
1 B 2 1 2 yes perimeter trail 1 1 3 Fenced dog run, handball court, multi-purpose bowl
1 E 1 1 perimeter trail 5 3 Community garden, sand volley ball court, open turf
yes 1 Fountain
1 1 Library
1 7 4 yes 2 0.25 miles 6 3 1
Magical Bridge accessible play area, fenced dog run, water feature, handball courts, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, petanque, multipurpose bowl, fieldhouse, concession stand/kitchen area
1 walking path 1
1 D 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 Field house with restroom
1 E 1 1 T-ball field
1 D 9 2 2 2 1
E 1 2 footpath 2 2 Multi-purpose bowl
1 1 1
1 C 1 1 pathway 3 1
yes A yes 1 1 1 1 Snack shack
C 2 4 perimeter trail
yes
E 2
Museum of American Heritage
1 E 1 1
11 0 3 24 14 0 1 29 8 8 39 13 22
A-3
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX A: PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
Quality Rating Key
“A” Facility
“B” Facility
“C” Facility
PALO ALTO PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
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Baylands Preserve (including Byxbee)City of Palo Alto 2775 Embarcadero Road 1,986
Esther Clark Preserve City of Palo Alto Old Trace Road 22
Foothills Park City of Palo Alto 33 Page Mill Road 1,400
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve City of Palo Alto Arastradero Road at Page Mill Road 622
Subtotal 4,030 0 0 0
Other Recreation Facilities in Palo Alto
Cubberly Community Center and Fields City of Palo Alto/PAUSD 4 Middlefield Road, T-2 4 3
Gamble Garden City of Palo Alto 1431 Waverley Street
King Plaza at City Hall City of Palo Alto 250 Hamilton Avenue
Lucie Stern Community Center City of Palo Alto 13 5 Middlefield Road
Middlefield Ballpark Palo Alto Little League 3672 Middlefield Road
Mitchell Park Community Center City of Palo Alto 3800 Middlefield Road
Junior Museum and Zoo City of Palo Alto 1451 Middlefield Road
Municipal Golf Course City of Palo Alto 1875 Embarcadero Road 181
Ventura Community Center City of Palo Alto 3990 Ventura Court
Winter Lodge City of Palo Alto 3009 Middlefield Road
Subtotal 181 0 4 3
Palo Alto Unified School District Facilities
Barron Park Elementary School PAUSD 8 Barron Avenue
Duveneck Elementary School PAUSD 75 Alester Avenue
El Carmelo Elementary School PAUSD Loma Verde Avenue
Escondido Elementary School PAUSD 89 Escondido Road
Fairmeadow Elementary School PAUSD 5 East Meadow Drive
Greendell Early Childhood Education Center PAUSD 412 Middlefield Road
Gunn High School PAUSD 78 Arastradero Road 1*1*2*
Hoover Elementary School PAUSD 445 E. Charleston Road
JLS Middle School PAUSD 48 E. Meadow Drive 3
Jordan Middle School PAUSD 75 N. California Avenue 1 3
Juana Briones Elementary School PAUSD 41 Orme Street
Lucille Nixon Elementary School PAUSD Stanford Avenue
Ohlone Elementary School PAUSD 95 Amarillo Avenue
Palo Verde Elementary School PAUSD 345 Louis Road
Palo Alto High School (Paly)PAUSD 5 Embarcadero Road 1*1*2*
Terman Middle School PAUSD (joint shared use with City)655 Arastradero Road 2
Ventura Community Center (building only)PAUSD 3990 Ventura Court
Walter Hays Elementary School PAUSD 1525 Middlefield Road
Subtotal 0 0 1 8
Palo Alto Total 4384.7 4 11 22
*Use of HS fields is coordinated by PAUSD
A-4A-3
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX A: PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INVENTORY
High-quality turf, possibly with lights and few time restrictions
High-quality turf, no nights and few time restrictions
Good quality turf, no lights
Quality Rating Key
“A” Facility
“B” Facility
“C” Facility
Fair turf quality, no lights, restrictions on use time and close proximity to neighbors
Low turf quality, no lights, no bathroom access and time restrictions
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yes 1 15 miles 1 1 2 Nature interpretive center
yes 1 15 miles 1 1 3 Campground; large turf area; Boranda Lake dock; nature interpretive center
yes 1 10.3 miles 1 Nature interpretive center
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 2 3 5
B 6 yes 1 2 Theater
1 Historic home and garden
1 2 Community Theatre and Children's Theatre
2 Snack shack and scoreboard
1 1
1
1
1 E 1 1
1 Ice skating rink
1 0 0 6 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 4 8
1 E 3
1 E 2
1 E 2
1 E
1 E 2
1 E
1*yes C 7 3 1
1 C 3
1 C 6 6
C 6 7
1 E 4
1 E 3
1 E 2
1 E 4
1*yes 7 4
C 5
3 1
1 E 3
13 0 2 26 56 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
25 0 5 56 15 1 2 30 11 13 0 41 20 33
“D” Facility
“E” Facility
APPENDIX B
GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
THE MAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF PALO ALTO’S SYSTEM USED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) DATA ON the parks, streets, trails and recreation facilities to evaluate the system from the perspective of a pedestrian or cyclist. The core of the analysis is described and illustrated in Chapter 3. This appendix includes additional mapping that was completed to illustrate the distribution of components and activities that emerged as important in the planning process. These include: exercise and fitness; gathering; play for children; relax and enjoy the outdoors; throw a ball; recreation with dogs; indoor recreation, and sports courts. Additionally, community input through the Mapita interactive map reported a park quality rating that is visualized in a final map.
C-2C-2B-2
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C r e e k
B arron C reek
Adobe Creek
St a n f o rd
M o unt a i nView
M enlo P a r k
L o s A l t o s
Lo s A lto sHills
E a stPalo A lto
Ather t o n
S a n M a t e o Co unty
Po rto l aValley
S an F r a n c is co Ba y
S t a n f or d
S a n ta C l a r a Co unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Emb a r c a rd er o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle s to n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Exercise and Fitness
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-2 B-3
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
Mo untai nView
Menlo Park
Lo s A l to s
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
Sa n F ra nc i sc o B a y
Stanford
Santa Cl a r a C ount y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Exercise and Fitness
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-4C-4B-4
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat ad e ro C r e e k
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stan f o r d
M o unt a i nView
M enlo P a r k
L o s A l t os
L os A l t osHills
Ea s tPalo Al t o
Ather t o n
S a n M a t e o Co unty
P o rto l a
Val l e y
S an F r a n c is c o B a y
S t a n f ord
S a nt a C l a ra C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
mino R
eal
Em b a rcard e r o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Gathering Spaces
Date: October 2016
Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
StanfordUniversity
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000
Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
C-4 B-5
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M ount a inView
Menlo Park
Los A l to s
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
S a n F r a n cis co Ba y
Stanford
SantaC lar a C ount y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
mino R
eal
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Gathering Spaces
Date: October 2016
Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
StanfordUniversity
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000
Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
C-6C-6B-6
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
S an F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C re e k
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
S t a n f or d
M ount a inView
M enl o P a r k
L os A l t o s
Lo s A l t o sHills
E a s tPalo Alt o
At her to n
Sa n Ma t e o C o unt y
P o rto l a
V a l l e y
S a n Fra n c i s c o B ay
S t a nf o r d
S a nt a C lara C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o Re
al
E m b arc a r dero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma
St
Arastradero Rd
Alma
St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
San d Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Play for Children
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (PrivateTrail with
Public Access)
C-6 B-7
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M ount a i nView
Menlo Park
Los Al t os
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
S a n F r a n ci s co Bay
Stanford
Santa C l a ra C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o Re
al
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma
St
Arastradero Rd
Alma
St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with
Play for Children
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (PrivateTrail with
Public Access)
C-8C-8B-8
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
S an F r a ncisquito Creek
Mat a d e ro C r e ek
B arron C reek
Adobe Creek
S t a n f or d
M o unt a i n
V ie w
M enl o P ark
Lo s A l t o s
L o s A l t osHills
E a s tPalo A l t o
Ather t o n
S a n Ma t e o C o unt y
Po rto l a
Val l e y
S a n F r a n ci s c o B ay
S t a nfo r d
S a n t a C l a r a Co unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
E m barc ar de ro Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h arle s to n Rd
El Camino Real
San d Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Space to
Relax and Enjoy the
Outdoors
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-8 B-9
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M ount a i n
Vi e w
Menlo Park
Los Al t os
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
S a n Fra n c i s c o B ay
Stanford
SantaC l a r a C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Space to
Relax and Enjoy the
Outdoors
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-10C-10B-10
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C r e e k
B arron Creek
Adobe Creek
S tan fo r d
M ount a i nView
Menl o P a r k
L o s Al t os
Lo s A l to s
Hill s
E a st
P a l o A lto
A t her t on
S a n M a t eo C o unt y
P orto l aValley
S a n F r a n ci s c o B ay
St a n f o rd
S a n ta C l a ra C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o Re
al
Emb a r ca rd e r o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
San d Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Space to
Throw, Catch, Shoot
or Kick a Ball
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-10 B-11
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
Mo unta i nView
Menlo Park
Los A l to s
Los Altos
Hills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
Sa n F ra nc i sc o B a y
Stanford
Santa C lar a C ount y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o Re
al
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rle st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Space to
Throw, Catch, Shoot
or Kick a Ball
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-12B-12
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C r e e k
B arron Creek
Adobe Creek
St a n f o rd
M ou n t a i nView
M e n lo P a r k
L o s Al t os
Lo s A lt o s
Hi l ls
E a s tPalo A lt o
Ath e r t o n
S a n M a te o Co u nty
Po r t o l aValley
S a n Fr a n c i s c o B ay
S t a n f or d
S a nt a C l a ra C o un t y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
E m ba r c a r de r o R d Middlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle s t o n R d
El Camino Real
Sa n d Hill R d
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Recreation
Areas for Dogs
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Dog Recreation Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (PrivateTrail with
Public Access)
C-12 B-13
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M ou n t a inView
Menlo Park
Los A l t o s
Los Altos
Hills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
S a n Fra n c i sc o B a y
Stanford
Santa C lar a C ou n t y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
eal
Embarcardero RdMiddlefield Rd
Alm
a St
Arastradero Rd
Alm
a St
C h a rle st o n R d
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Recreation
Areas for Dogs
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Dog Recreation Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (PrivateTrail with
Public Access)
C-14B-14
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
San F r a ncisquitoCreek
Matad e ro C r e e k
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stan f o r d
M ount a i n
Vi e w
M enlo P a r k
L os A l t o s
L os A l t o sHills
Eas tPalo A l t o
Ather t o n
S a n M a t e o Co unty
P o rto l aValley
S an F r a n cis co Ba y
S t a n f ord
San t a C lara C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
e
al
Emb a r card e r o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Indoor
Recreation
Facilities
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Community Recreation Centers Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
Other Community Services Buildings Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-14 B-15
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M o unt a i n
V ie w
Menlo Park
Lo s Al t os
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
PortolaValley
San F r anc i s c o B a y
Stanford
Santa C l a ra C o unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
e
al
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rl e st o n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Indoor
Recreation
Facilities
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Community Recreation Centers Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
Other Community Services Buildings Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-16B-16
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
S a n F r a ncisquitoCreek
Mat a d e ro C r e e k
B arron C reek
Adobe Creek
S t a n f ord
Mount a in
V i e w
M enl o P ark
Lo s A l to s
Lo s A l to s
Hill s
E a s t
Pal o A l t o
A t hert o n
San Mat e o C o unt y
P orto laValley
S a n F r a n cis co Ba y
S t a nf o r d
S an t a C lar a C ount y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
May eldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o Re
al
Emb a r c a rd er o Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rle st o n Rd
El Camino Real
San d Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Sports
Courts
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-16 B-17
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M o untai nView
Menlo Park
Lo s Al t o s
Los AltosHills
EastPalo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
Sa n F ra nc i sc o B a y
Stanford
Santa C l a r a Co unt y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayeldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
mino R
eal
Embarcardero Rd
Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rle s to n Rd
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
Palo Alto Airport
Parks with Sports
Courts
Date: October 2016
Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS andSanta Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-
ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Experience Service Areas
1/4 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1/2 Mile or Less Walking Distance
1 Mile or Less Walking Distance
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-18C-18B-18
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
S a n F ra ncisquito Creek
Mat a d e ro C re e k
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
St a n f o rd
Mo u n t a i nView
M e nl o P a r k
L os A l t o s
L o s Al t os
H i ll s
Ea s t
P a lo A l t o
At h e r to n
San Mat e o C o un t y
P o rto l a
V a l l e y
Sa n F ranc i sc o B a y
S ta nfo r d
San t a C lar a C ou n t y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryPark BoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
e
al
E m b a r c a rd e ro R d Middlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rl e st o n R d
El Camino Real
San d Hill R d
Santa Cruz Ave
78
4956
71 72
42
80
71
36
62
67
75
61
78
39
73
74
69
76
23
69
74
61
85
73
7468
31
64
65
61
48
76
75
67
82
Palo Alto Airport
5955
Overall
Park Quality
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Quality
10
25
50
75
100
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
C-18 B-19
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX B: GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
SanFrancisquitoCreek
MataderoCreek
Barron Creek
Adobe Creek
Stanford
M o unt a i nView
Menlo Park
Los A lt o s
Los Altos
Hills
East
Palo Alto
Atherton
San Mateo County
Portola
Valley
S a n F r a n ci s co Bay
Stanford
Santa C l a r a Co u n t y
Baylands Preserve
BaylandsAthleticCenter
GreerPark
BolPark
MitchellPark
Esther ClarkPreserve
El CaminoPark
TermanPark
HooverPark
EleanorPardeePark
Peers Park
SealePark
RoblesPark
RamosPark
Briones Park
CubberleyCommunityCenter
JohnsonPark
BowdenPark
Stanford-Palo AltoPlayingFields
Heritage Park
BowlingGreenPark
El PaloAlto Park
WerryParkBoulwarePark
CameronPark
WeisshaarPark
MonroePark
RinconadaPark
WilliamsPark
Cogswell Plaza
LyttonPlaza
Sarah WallisPark
HopkinsCreekside Park
Palo AltoGolf Course
Scott Park
MayfieldPark
VenturaCommunity Center
Pearson-ArastraderoPreserve
KelloggPark
Foothills Park
Page Mill Rd
Oregon Expy
El C
a
min
o R
e
al
Embarcardero RdMiddlefield Rd
Alma St
Arastradero Rd
Alma St
C h a rle s t o n R d
El Camino Real
Sand Hill Rd
Santa Cruz Ave
78
4956
7172
42
80
71
36
62
67
75
61
78
39
73
74
69
76
23
69
74
61
85
73
7468
31
64
65
61
48
76
75
67
82
Palo Alto Airport
5955
Overall
Park Quality
Date: October 2016Sources: Palo Alto OpenGIS and
Santa Clara County GIS
Stanford
FoothillsPark
Pearson-ArastaderoPreserve
BaylandPreserve
Santa ClaraCounty
San MateoCounty
Palo Alto
Menlo Park
MountainView
Los AltosLos AltosHills
Atherton
Cupertino
PortolaValley
East Palo Alto
UpperStevensCreek
Stevens CreekCounty Park
RanchoSan AntonioOpen SpacePreserve
Base Map Features
City of Palo Alto
Major Highways and Freeways
Streets
Creeks and Channels
Water Bodies
Schools
Palo Alto Existing Parks and Open Space (2016)
City Park
City Natural Open Space
Other City Property
0 2,000 4,000 6,0001,000 Feet
Park Quality
10
25
50
75
100
City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails,
Natural Open Space
and Recreation
Master Plan
Trails
Trails
Private Recreation Route
Stanford Perimeter Trail (Private Trail with
Public Access)
APPENDIX C
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A PLAN THAT ALIGNS WITH LOCAL NEEDS, PREFERENCES AND PRIORITIES. Community input was integral to each phase of the Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan development. The engagement plan was designed to: increase community awareness of the project; inform the community about the challenges and opportunities of the project; provide easy access to project information and opportunities for participation; offer a range of communication and engagement tools to match interests and preferences; ensure the final Master Plan reflects community priorities, preferences and values; and get community buy-in to support plan adoption and its short-, mid- and long-term implementation.
C-2
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community Engagement Activities
To achieve these goals, the Public Engagement Plan laid out
a robust, layered outreach strategy that included a variety of
engagement tools and activities so Palo Alto residents and other
interested community members could participate in a manner
convenient and comfortable for them. There were numerous
opportunities for participation, with a variety of formats, times and
levels of interaction offered as well as both online and face-to-face
methods.
PROJECT WEBPAGE
A Master Plan project webpage, hosted on the City’s website with a
project-specific web address (paloaltoparksplan.org), served as the
information portal and document library for the planning effort.
PUBLIC INFORMATION UPDATES
The project team disseminated public information updates through
the City’s established mailing lists, newsletters and social media
accounts. These updates informed the community about upcoming
meetings, online participation opportunities and project status.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT A
GLANCE
200+ Intercept Survey
Participants
487 Online Map-Based
Survey Participants
65 Community Input
Workshop Participants
1,100+ Online Community Survey Participants
16 Follow-up Stakeholder
Interviews
736 Community Prioritization Challenge
and Workshop Participants
200+ Site Concept Review
Comments
Project webpage
C-2 C-3
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUP
The Stakeholder Advisory Group provided an informed sounding
board for ideas and provided updated information about related
efforts and organizations. This group was also asked to help boost
participation in other engagement activities by passing along
information to existing networks and constituent groups about the
Master Plan process. This group consisted of representatives from
local advocacy groups, recreation organizations, local employers
and landowners, community service providers and others. To
respect the time of the members of the Stakeholder Advisory
Group, the project team designed the process to solicit this group’s
input at strategic times during the project.
INTERCEPT EVENTS
During the summer of 2014, the project team and Parks and
Recreation Commission (PRC) members conducted six “intercept
surveys” to collect input from visitors outdoors at parks, farmers
markets and community events. This approach is effective at
engaging all age groups, especially families with children, and
allows for informal and educational discussions with the public. It
also facilitates interaction with people who do not typically attend
public meetings, due to schedule conflicts or a lack of awareness.
The project team selected intercept times and locations to reach
a cross-section of Palo Altans. More than 200 people learned
about the park system and the Master Plan effort and informed
the planning team about their values and motivations as related to
parks, natural open space and recreation.
ONLINE MAP-BASED SURVEY
During the summer of 2014, the project team hosted an online,
interactive, map-based survey using the Mapita application.
This tool allows community members to respond to a series
of questions and provide geographically tagged comments on
specific parks, facilities and transportation routes throughout
the City. A total of 487 respondents provided comments on park
quality, barriers to access, needs and opportunities. This effort
generated a rich data set about how people use the park system,
how they travel to the places they go, and what their experience is
like, including site-specific data. The images on the next page are
example graphics from the map-based survey.
C-4
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Site-specific comments on Bol Park from the online map-based survey
Routes to respondents’ closest park (darker lines indicate more intensely-used routes)
C-4 C-5
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY INPUT WORKSHOPS
In fall and winter 2014, the project team conducted three
interactive public workshops in different areas of Palo Alto,
attended by about 65 community members. Participants took
part in a visual preference survey about the character and design
of parks using real-time keypad polling. This activity, facilitated
in small groups, provided opportunities for in-depth discussion
of what features participants would like to protect, preserve,
improve or add to Palo Alto. The project team collected polling
data, recorded group discussion and collected additional input on
comment cards. For example, the image below shows the level
of participant support (combined from all three workshops) for a
landscape with integrated natural plantings.
ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY
Over 1,100 people completed an online survey developed by the
project team in close consultation with the PRC. This tool collected
data on community priorities and preferences to inform the
development of recommendations and actions. The survey was
available online and in hard copy, in both English and Spanish, from
mid-November to mid-December 2015.
Visual preference survey result from a community input workshop
C-6
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FOLLOW-UP STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
As the planning process unfolded, the project team identified
issues for which additional knowledge from staff and community
experts would be beneficial to understanding needs and
identifying potential recommendations. Between October 2014
and March 2015, sixteen follow-up stakeholder interviews were
conducted to gather additional data and explore issues in depth.
The interviewees included City and partner staff, volunteers and
community members across a variety of topics:
• Community gardening
• Aquatics
• Cubberley Community Center tenants
• Junior Museum and Zoo
• Palo Alto Art Center
• Children’s Library
• Palo Alto Children’s Theatre
• Middle school athletics
• Palo Alto dog owners
• Avenidas
• Palo Alto Youth Council
• Boost drop-in programming
COMMUNITY PRIORITIZATION CHALLENGE AND WORKSHOP
To obtain community input on how to prioritize enhancements
within areas of focus, the project team implemented an online
interactive exercise called the Community Prioritization Challenge
from August 28, 2015, to February 15, 2016. A total of 731
respondents provided feedback through this activity.
The online exercise was supplemented by an in-person workshop
held on February 11, 2016, which was lightly attended (five
participants representing different recreation interest groups) but
included a rich conversation about priorities. The online exercise
was mirrored by a printed display board that listed the twelve areas
of focus, on which each participant was asked to place five sticky
dots to indicate preferred investments.
C-6 C-7
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community Prioritization Challenge
C-8
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SITE CONCEPTS REVIEW
The project team reached out to the community at the May Fête
on May 7, 2016, to review preliminary site concepts, which are
illustrations of how the recommendations of this plan could
play out across each park and preserve. The site concepts were
presented as bubble diagrams, indicating areas within the site
and the general type of improvements recommended. Shortly
after this initial event, on May 25, a workshop was held to provide
another opportunity to comment on the concepts. Approximately
thirty people reviewed the concepts at the workshop. Further
comments were received from other City of Palo Alto department
staff (including Public Safety and Planning) as well as the Parks and
Recreation Commission. To expand the opportunity to comment,
the project team created and advertised an online comment form
that provided the opportunity to provide site-specific feedback on
the concepts. Over 200 comments were received through this form.
These concepts have been refined and are presented in Chapter 5
of this plan.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON PLAN
The project team created an online feedback form to collect
comments from the public on the draft Master Plan. As comments
were made, they were logged to track the source of the comment,
specific feedback or recommended changes for consideration,
and aggregated feedback to identify patterns. Comments were
discussed with staff and the PRC to determine appropriate action.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (PRC)
The planning team engaged the PRC throughout the Master Plan
effort, from the initial scope development and consultant selection
through every step of the process. This commission’s involvement
was critical to understanding the full range of issues in the
community and in shaping further community engagement.
CITY COUNCIL
An important part of the Master Plan process was City Council
involvement. Council members represent Palo Alto residents and
are the policy and decision-making body of the City. As an initial
step, the project team made a presentation to the City Council and
the Park and Recreation Commission in a joint study session. This
presentation introduced the goals and objectives of the planning
process as well as preliminary plans for community engagement
and system analysis. As the planning process progressed, City
C-8 C-9
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Council was provided updates through periodic reports and two
study sessions.
Community Engagement Results and Plan Development
The planning team identified patterns and trends that cut across
all the engagement activities and results, and crafted the Master
Plan Principles described in Chapter 4 to articulate a vision for the
future. These principles served as the foundation for the Master
Plan. The planning team then developed six Master Plan Goals
stating desired outcomes and accompanying policies and programs
to serve as a guide for City decision making to improve the parks,
trails, natural open space and recreation system.
For more detailed descriptions of each outreach activity and key
findings, please see the Technical Supplement on the City website.
APPENDIX D
EXISTING CAPITAL AND OPERATIONS FUNDING SOURCES
THE CITY OF PALO ALTO USES A VARIETY OF FUNDING SOURCES TO SUPPORT PARK, TRAIL, NATURAL OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES. The following pages summarize these existing sources.
D-2
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX D: EXISTING CAPITAL AND
OPERATIONS FUNDING SOURCES
General Fund
The General Fund is the pool of unrestricted tax dollars and other
revenues that a city uses to pay for most of the services it provides.
General Funds are allocated out in the budgeting process, and
dollars for park operations must compete with other city needs
for limited resources. Palo Alto uses the General Fund as the
primary source for operations and programming and also makes a
substantial transfer to the Capital Improvement Program each year.
Recreation programs generate revenue from user fees, which flow
directly into the General Fund, not into the budget for recreation
services.
Parkland Dedication Fees
A separate fee is charged at the time land is subdivided for
additional development. The parkland dedication fee is authorized
under the Quimby Act (California Government Code §66477)
allowing cities to require developers set aside land, donate
conservation easements or pay fees for park improvements. This
fee is calculated based on the maximum land requirement allowed
under the act, (5 acres per 1,000 persons), the number of dwelling
units and the current value of land. This funding source will be
relatively insignificant in the future due to the limited opportunity
to subdivide land within Palo Alto. In 2016, the parkland dedication
fee fund balance is $3,214,370.
Development Impact Fees
The City of Palo Alto collects impact fees authorized by the
Mitigation Fee Act for both new park system expansion and
community centers. These fees are collected at the time building
permits are issued for new construction and are based on a
measurable impact of additional people to the system. The fees are
adjusted annually to account for inflation. The current impact fee
amounts are listed in Table D-1.
The amount of the impact fee is based on two variables: the
projected growth of the user population resulting from the
development and the cost of planned improvements in response
to that growth. In 2014, the City revisited the nexus study and
projects that form the basis of all of the development impact fees
D-3D-2
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX D: EXISTING CAPITAL AND
OPERATIONS FUNDING SOURCES
FEES:
RESIDENTIAL
SINGLE FAMILY SINGLE FAMILY OVER
3,000 SQUARE FEET
MULTI-FAMILY MULTI-FAMILY
UNDER 900 SQUARE
FEET
PARKS $11,864 $17,716 $7,766 $3,926
COMMUNITY
CENTERS
$3,075 $4,605 $2,024 $1,021
TOTAL RELEVANT*
IMPACT FEES PER
HOME
$14,939 $22,321 $9,790 $4,947
charged. This study determined that the fees were adequate for
current needs but should be revisited following the completion of
this Master Plan. In addition to the ongoing collection of impact
fees as development continues, Palo Alto currently has a balance
in the impact fee funds. In 2016, the park development impact
fee fund balance is $3,946,291 and the community center impact
fee fund balance is $5,727,035, although this balance is mostly
committed to improvements that are already in the CIP.
Table D-1: Current Impact Fees
FEES: COMMERCIAL HOTEL/MOTEL INSTITUTIONAL INDUSTRIAL
NON-RESIDENTIAL
PARKS $5.038 $2.278 $5.038 $5.038
COMMUNITY
CENTERS
$0.284 $0.128 $0.284 $0.284
TOTAL RELEVANT*
IMPACT FEES PER
SQUARE FOOT OF
NON-RESIDENTIAL
CONSTRUCTION
$5.32 $2.41 $5.32 $5.32
*The City also collects development impact fees for Public Safety Facilities, General Government Facilities,
Housing, Traffic and Public Art.
D-4
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX D: EXISTING CAPITAL AND
OPERATIONS FUNDING SOURCES
Grants
Both private and public agencies offer a variety of grant programs.
Most park and recreation grant funds originate with either the
Federal or State government and are limited to funding the
acquisition, design and construction of parks, facilities and trails.
The active list of grant programs regularly changes, as Federal and
State budgets expand and contract, and the application schedule
and process must be learned and monitored. Further, most grants
require that the local agency match a percentage of the funding
with local dollars.
In addition, private and corporate foundations are granting funding
for the construction of facilities and the acquisition of lands that
further their missions. Some private grant agencies in the health
sector are currently funding pilot programs in some areas of the
country to improve health outcomes, but for the most part grants
are not a sustainable ongoing source of funding for recreation
programming. Palo Alto has had some success with utilizing grant
funding to expand successful programs, including those at the
Junior Museum and Zoo and the Palo Alto Art Center, beyond the
borders of the City. This allows these unique programs to reach
a larger audience without costing the taxpayers of Palo Alto
additional funds.
Public-Private Partnerships
The idea of working in close collaboration with a private entity to
enhance park and recreation opportunities is gaining in popularity
across the country. The basic approach is for a public agency to
enter into a working agreement with a private corporation or
non-profit entity to help fund, build and/or operate a public facility.
Generally, the three primary incentives that a public agency can
offer are free land to place a facility (usually a park or other piece of
public land), certain tax advantages and access to public facilities.
While the public agency may have to give up certain responsibilities
or control, it is one way of developing public facilities at a lower
cost.
Palo Alto has had several high-profile successes, most recently
with the Magical Bridge Playground, with a fairly unique model
of public-private partnership. In this model, the City allows a
partner organization to take on the design and construction
D-5D-4
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space & Recreation APPENDIX D: EXISTING CAPITAL AND
OPERATIONS FUNDING SOURCES
process, carving out the project site and leasing the property to the
partner for the duration of the project. The City remains involved
in oversight and technical assistance and takes possession of the
project at completion. Putting the partner organization at the front
of the effort has resulted in very successful fundraising and a high-
quality and relatively lower-cost process.
Donations
The donations of labor, land or cash by service agencies, private
groups or individuals are a popular way to raise money for specific
projects. The most effective agencies actively solicit donations both
from the general public and through developed relationships with
local companies and philanthropists. Friends of the Palo Alto Parks
is an established channel for tax-deductible donations that can be
directed to specific projects or to park improvements in general.
The current level of donations has averaged approximately $15,000
per year. Labor hours contributed by volunteers are another type of
donation that benefits the City’s parks and open space preserves.
In Palo Alto’s history, there have been significant donations, such as
Lucie Stern Center.
Funding Gap
Palo Alto currently has more options for funding capital projects
than it does for funding that can fund the operation, maintenance
and programming of the system. The City should sustain a
sufficient investment to maintain its existing facilities, amenities
and programs. Future funding options should address this gap.
Attachment B
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration is available at
www.paloaltoparksplan.org
A hard copy is available for viewing at
City of Palo Alto City Hall
5th Floor – Planning Department
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Attachment C
PROJECT NAME Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space,
and Recreation Master Plan
APPLICATION NUMBER Not Applicable
APPLICANT
AGREEMENT
DATE 5/1/2017
APPROVED BY
APPLICANT/OWNER City of Palo Alto, Department of Public Works;
Peter Jensen
The Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, and Recreation
Master Plan identifies the mitigation measures that will be implemented to reduce the impacts associated with the
project. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was amended in 1989 to add Section 21081.6, which requires a
public agency to adopt a monitoring and reporting program for assessing and ensuring compliance with any required
mitigation measures applied to proposed development. As stated in section 21081.6(a)(1) of the Public Resources Code,
“... the public agency shall adopt a reporting or monitoring program for the changes made to the project or conditions of
project approval, adopted in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment.”
Section 21081.6 also provides general guidelines for implementing mitigation monitoring programs and indicates that
specific reporting and/or monitoring requirements, to be enforced during project implementation, shall be defined as part
of adopting an MND.
The mitigation monitoring table lists those mitigation measures that would be included as conditions of approval for the
project. To ensure that the mitigation measures are properly implemented, a monitoring program has been devised which
identifies the timing and responsibility for monitoring each measure.
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 2
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
AIR QUALITY
Impact AIR-1: Future
implementation of
projects and
improvements identified
in the Master Plan have
the potential to emit
fugitive dust during
construction activities.
Mitigation Measure AIR-1: To reduce potential fugitive
dust that may be generated by project construction
activities, the City of Palo Alto shall implement the
following BAAQMD basic construction measures when
they are appropriate (BAAQMD Guidelines pg. 8-3, Table
8-1):
Water all exposed surfaces (e.g., staging areas, soil
piles, graded areas, and unpaved access roads) during
construction as necessary and adequately wet
demolition surfaces to limit visible dust emissions
Cover all haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other
loose materials off the project site.
Use a wet power vacuum street sweeper as
necessary to remove all visible mud or dirt track-out
onto adjacent public roads (dry power sweeping is
prohibited) during construction of the proposed
project.
Vehicle speeds on unpaved roads/areas shall not
exceed 15 miles per hour.
Complete all areas to be paved as soon as possible
and lay building pads as soon as possible after
grading unless seeding or soil binders are used.
Minimize idling time of diesel powered construction
equipment to five minutes and post signs reminding
workers of this idling restriction at access points and
equipment staging areas during construction of the
proposed project.
Maintain and properly tune all construction
equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s
specifications and have a CARB-certified visible
emissions evaluator check equipment prior to use at
the site.
Post a publicly visible sign with the name and
telephone number of the construction contractor and
City staff person to contact regarding dust
complaints. This person shall respond and take
corrective action within 48 hours. The publicly visible
sign shall also include the contact phone number for
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of dust control
measures.
During
construction
activities.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 3
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to
ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Impact BIO-1: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
resulting in impacts to
special-status species
and/or sensitive creek or
riparian habitats.
Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: All activities associated with
the Master Plan shall comply with all relevant goals,
policies and programs protecting creeks and riparian
habitat in the City’s Comprehensive Plan (2011) or any
approved update to the current Comprehensive Plan
(Comprehensive Plan 2030 expected by end of 2017),
including Goal N-2; Policies N-11, N-12 and N-13; and
Program N-7.
For setback standards, Program N-7 directs that all new
buildings and other structures, impervious surfaces,
outdoor activity areas (including dog parks), and
ornamental landscaped areas constructed under the
Master Plan shall maintain a 100-foot setback from the
top of bank of any natural creek, with the exception of
existing development which will be considered legal and
nonconforming.
Native vegetation along creek banks shall be preserved,
and any vegetation along creek banks that is removed
should be replaced with native species (Policy N-12).
Site disturbance and vegetation removal on or near creeks
shall be minimized through careful review of grading and
drainage plans for development near creeks and
elsewhere in the watersheds of creeks (Policy N-13).
This measure shall apply to the Baylands Preserve,
Baylands Athletic Center, El Camino Park, El Palo Alto Park,
Hopkins Creekside Park and the Municipal Golf Course
which are adjacent to San Francisquito Creek; Bol Park,
Boulware Park, Hoover Park, and Seale Park which are
adjacent to Matadero Creek; Mitchell Park and Terman
Park which are adjacent to Adobe Creek; the Ventura
Community Center which is adjacent to Barron Creek; and
Foothills Park and Pearson Arastradero Preserve which
contain numerous drainages.
If ground disturbance within 100 feet of a creek or impacts
to riparian vegetation are unavoidable, then Mitigation
Measure BIO-1c shall apply.
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review
design documents to
ensure design plans
reflect policy and new
development is not
within 100 feet of a
natural creek.
During project
design to ensure
design of project
is consistent with
policy and new
development is
not placed with
100 ft. of a
natural creek and
during
construction to
ensure creek
resources are not
impacted by
construction
activities and
after
construction for
vegetation
restoration.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 4
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
Impact BIO-1: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
resulting in impacts to
special-status species
and/or sensitive creek or
riparian habitats.
Mitigation Measure BIO-1b: Master Plan activities
involving grading, excavation or other ground disturbance
in any of the City parks, natural preserves, or recreational
facilities that either drain directly to a creek, or are within
100 feet of a creek, shall be restricted to the dry season if
possible, between April 15 and October 31. If this is not
possible, measures shall be taken, as appropriate to
protect water quality and wildlife in the creek during
storm events. These measures may include, but are not
limited to the installation of silt fencing and/or straw
wattles between the work area and the creek to prevent
storm water runoff from the work site entering the creek.
To protect wildlife in the creek corridor, no plastic
monofilament shall be used in the water quality
protection/ erosion control devices because it can entrap
wildlife.
This measure shall apply to the Baylands Preserve,
Baylands Athletic Center, El Camino Park, El Palo Alto Park,
Hopkins Creekside Park and the Municipal Golf Course
which are adjacent to San Francisquito Creek; Bol Park,
Boulware Park, Hoover Park, and Seale Park which are
adjacent to Matadero Creek; Mitchell Park and Terman
Park which are adjacent to Adobe Creek; the Ventura
Community Center which is adjacent to Barron Creek; and
Foothills Park and Pearson-Arastradero Preserve which
contain numerous drainages..
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of these storm water
protection measures.
Prior to the start
of, and during
construction
activities.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
Impact BIO-1: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
resulting in impacts to
special-status species
and/or sensitive creek or
riparian habitats.
Mitigation Measure BIO-1c: All Master Plan activities
requiring ground disturbance within 100 feet of a creek or
involving impacts to riparian vegetation, shall implement
the following mitigation measures to protect special-
status species. These measures shall not apply to parks
adjacent to concrete channelized segments of creeks that
lack riparian vegetation.
A qualified biologist shall perform a preconstruction
survey for any special-status species that may occur
in the creek or riparian habitat where Master Plan
activities are proposed. If any special-status species
are found, work shall not begin until the biologist has
consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), and/or the California Department of Fish and
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of these applicable
policies and programs.
Prior to the start
of, and during
construction
activities.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
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Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
Wildlife (CDFW), as appropriate depending on the
species, regarding appropriate protection measures
to be implemented during and prior to construction.
If a special-status species is encountered after work
has begun, all work shall be halted until appropriate
protection measures are determined in consultation
with the appropriate state and federal resource
agencies (USFWS, NMFS and/or CDFW).
A worker education program shall be prepared and
implemented for all construction crews that will work
within the creek setback or riparian zone. The
education program shall include a description of
special-status species that may occur, and a list of
measures for the workers to follow to minimize
impacts to the species and their habitats and to
protect water quality in the creek.
Impact BIO-2: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
resulting in impacts to
nesting birds protected
under the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
Mitigation Measure BIO-2a: To avoid impacts to nesting
birds and violation of state and federal laws pertaining to
birds, all Master Plan activities which could disturb nesting
birds (including but not limited to: equipment mobilization
and staging, clearing, grubbing, vegetation removal,
demolition, excavation, and grading) should occur outside
the avian nesting season (that is, prior to February 1 or
after August 31), if possible.
If construction and construction noise occurs within the
avian nesting season (from February 1 to August 31), all
suitable nesting habitats located within the project’s area
of disturbance including staging and storage areas, plus a
250-foot (passerines) and 1,000-foot (raptor nests) buffer
around these areas, shall be thoroughly surveyed, as
feasible, for the presence of active nests by a qualified
biologist no more than five days before the
commencement of any site disturbance activities and
equipment mobilization.
The survey buffer can be reduced in urban environments
at the discretion of the qualified biologist performing the
survey.
If project activities are delayed by more than five days, an
additional nesting bird survey shall be performed.
The preconstruction survey report and any reports
The City or its
contractor.
February 1st
through August
31st, no more
than 7 days in
advance of the
start of project
construction.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 6
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
prepared to document nest monitoring shall be submitted
to the City Department of Public Works.
Active nesting is present if a bird is sitting in a nest, a nest
has eggs or chicks in it, or adults are observed carrying
food to the nest, or fledglings are using or being fed in the
nest or its immediate vicinity.
The results of the surveys shall be documented by the
qualified biologist and submitted to the City of Palo Alto
Division of Open Space, Parks and Golf prior to initiation of
project construction.
The biologist shall prepare a written record of survey
results and implementation of any avoidance and
minimization measures.
The biologist shall monitor any active nests to determine
when young have matured sufficiently to have fledged.
If it is determined that birds are actively nesting within the
survey area, Mitigation Measure BIO-2b shall apply.
Conversely, if the survey area is found to be absent of
nesting birds, Mitigation Measure BIO-2b shall not be
required.
Impact BIO-2: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
resulting in impacts to
nesting birds protected
under the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
Mitigation Measure BIO-2b: If pre-construction nesting
bird surveys reveal locations of active nesting at the
project site, no site disturbance and/or mobilization of
heavy equipment (including but not limited to: equipment
staging, fence installation, clearing, grubbing, vegetation
removal, fence installation, demolition, and grading), shall
take place within 250 feet of non-raptor nests and 1,000
feet of raptor nests, or as determined by a qualified
biologist in consultation with the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) until the chicks have fledged. The
nest buffer can be reduced in urban environments at the
discretion of the qualified biologist in consultation with
CDFW. Monitoring shall be required to ensure compliance
with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and relevant CDFW
Code requirements. Monitoring dates and findings shall be
documented and provided to the City of Palo Alto Division
of Open Space, Parks and Golf.
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of this measure.
Prior to the start
of, and during
construction
activities.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
Impact BIO-3: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to construction
Mitigation Measure BIO-3: A qualified biologist shall
visually inspect trees or structures which are proposed for
removal as part of subsequently approved Master Plan
The City or its
contractor.
Year-round, no
more than 7 days
in advance of the
Director of Public Works
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 7
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
resulting in impacts to
roosting bats protected
by California Department
of Fish and Wildlife
regulations.
activities for bat roosts within 7 days prior to their
removal. The biologist shall look for signs of bats, including
sightings of live or dead bats, bat calls or squeaking, the
smell of bats, bat droppings, grease stains or urine stains
around openings in trees or structures, or flies around
such openings. Trees with multiple hollows, crevices,
forked branches, woodpecker holes or loose and flaking
bark have the highest chance of occupation and should be
inspected the most carefully. The biological survey report
shall be submitted to the City prior to the start of
construction.
If signs of bats are detected, the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife should be contacted for guidance on how
to proceed. Echo-location surveys may be needed to verify
the presence of bats, or an exclusion zone around the
occupied tree or structure may be recommended until
bats leave the roost.
Due to restrictions of the California Health Department,
direct contact by workers with any bat is not allowed. The
qualified biologist shall be contacted immediately if a bat
roost is discovered during project construction.
start of project
construction.
Director of Planning
Impact BIO-4: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to potential
conflicts with the
Stanford Habitat
Conservation Plan.
Mitigation Measure BIO-4: To ensure compliance with the
Stanford University Habitat Conservation Plan (2013), the
City shall contact the Conservation Program Manager
(Alan Eugene Launer, 650-714-4807,
AELAUNER@stanford.edu) from the Stanford Land Use
and Environmental Planning Department to determine
whether additional avoidance measures are required prior
to initiation of Master Plan activities involving ground
disturbance at El Camino Park and the Stanford- Palo Alto
Playing Fields. The City shall document the
communications with the Conservation Program Manager.
This measure applies only to the area covered by the
Stanford Habitat Conservation Plan. The City and Stanford
Conservation Program Manager shall review all
appropriate bid, contract, and engineering and site plan
documents for consistency with HCP requirements. This
measure is reflected in Policy 4.D of the Master Plan.
The City or its
contractor.
Prior to the start
of construction
activities.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Impact CUL-1: Master
Plan implementation
Mitigation Measure CUL-1: In the event that
archaeological resources are unearthed during ground-
The City or its During
construction in
Director of Public Works
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 8
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
Implementation
Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
may lead to potential
impacts to unrecorded
cultural or
archaeological
resources.
disturbing activities, ground-disturbing activities shall be
halted or diverted away from the vicinity of the find so
that the find can be evaluated.
A buffer area of at least 50 feet shall be established
around the find where construction activities shall not be
allowed to continue until a qualified archaeologist has
examined the newly discovered artifact(s) and has
evaluated the area of the find. Work shall be allowed to
continue outside of the buffer area.
All archaeological resources unearthed by project
construction activities shall be evaluated by a qualified
professional archaeologist, whom meets the U.S.
Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications and
Standards. In anticipation of additional discoveries during
the completion of construction, Archaeological Sensitivity
Training will be carried out by a qualified archaeologist for
all personnel who engage in ground moving activities at
the site.
If necessary, the archaeologist shall prepare a written
record of monitoring results, including a summary of any
resources encountered and avoidance measures
implemented with the City’s review.
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of this measure
native soils.
Director of Planning
Impact CUL-2: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to potential
impacts to unrecorded
human remains.
Mitigation Measure CUL-2: If human remains are
unearthed during implementation of the proposed
project, the City shall comply with State Health and Safety
Code (HSC) Section 7050.5. The City shall immediately
notify the County Coroner and no further disturbance shall
occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary
findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to PRC
Section 5097.98.
If the remains are determined to be of Native American
descent, the coroner has 24 hours to notify the Native
American Heritage Commission (NAHC). The NAHC shall
then identify the person(s) thought to be the Most Likely
Descendent (MLD). After the MLD has inspected the
remains and the site, they have 48 hours to recommend to
the landowner the treatment and/or disposal, with
appropriate dignity, the human remains and any
associated funerary objects. Upon the reburial of the
human remains, the MLD shall file a record of the reburial
with the NAHC and the project archaeologist shall file a
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of these applicable
policies and programs.
During
construction in
native soils.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
City of Palo Alto Mitigation Monitoring + Reporting Program P a g e | 9
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measure Responsible for
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Timing of
Compliance
Oversight of
Implementation
record of the reburial with the CHRIS-NWIC.
If the NAHC is unable to identify a MLD, or the MLD
identified fails to make a recommendation, or the
landowner rejects the recommendation of the MLD and
the mediation provided for in Subdivision (k) of Section
5097.94, if invoked, fails to provide measures acceptable
to the landowner, the landowner or his or her authorized
representative shall inter the human remains and items
associated with Native American human remains with
appropriate dignity on the property in a location not
subject to further and future subsurface disturbance.
Impact CUL-3: Master
Plan implementation
may lead to potential
impacts to
paleontological
resources.
Mitigation Measure CUL-3: In the event paleontological
resources are unearthed during ground-disturbing
activities, all ground-disturbing activities shall be halted so
the find can be evaluated. Construction activities shall not
be allowed to continue until a qualified paleontologist has
examined the newly discovered artifact(s) and has
evaluated the area of the find.
All paleontological resources unearthed by project
construction activities shall be evaluated by a qualified
professional paleontologist who meets the qualifications
set forth by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. In
anticipation of additional discoveries during the
completion of construction, Paleontological Sensitivity
Training will be carried out by a qualified archaeologist for
all personnel who will engage in ground moving activities
on the site. The City shall coordinate with the
paleontologist to develop an appropriate treatment plan
for the resources. The plan may include implementation of
paleontological data recovery excavations to address
treatment of the resource along with subsequent
laboratory processing and analysis.
If appropriate, the paleontologist may introduce
paleontological monitoring on all or part of the site. A
paleontological report will be written detailing all
paleontological finds and shall be submitted to the City
and University of California Museum of Paleontology
(UCMP).
The City or its
contractor.
The City shall review all
appropriate bid,
contract, and
engineering and site plan
documents for inclusion
of this measure.
During
construction
activities in
native soils.
Director of Public Works
Director of Planning
STATE OF CALIFORNIA--£:ALIFORNIA STATE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY EDMUND G. BROWN Jr.. Governor
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DISTRICT 4
OFFICE OF TRANSIT AND COMMUNITY PLANNING
P.O. BOX 23660. MS-10D OAKLAND, CA 94623-0660 Making Conservation a California Way of life. PHONE (510) 286-5528 FAX (510) 286-5559 TTY 711 www.dot.ca.gov
June 5, 2017
Ms. Clare Campbell Department of Planning & Community Enviromnent
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton A venue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear Ms. Campbell:
04-SCL-2017-00205SCL/V AR/PM VARSCH# 2017052018
Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan -Mitigated Negative Declaration
Thank you for including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the enviromnental review process for the above-referenced Master Plan (Plan). In tandem with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's (MTC) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), Caltrans new mission signals a modernization of our
approach to evaluating and mitigating impacts to the State Transportation Network (STN).
Caltrans Strategic Management Plan aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by tripling
bicycle and doubling both pedestrian and transit travel by 2020. Our comments are based on the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).
Project Understanding The Plan will serve for the next 20 years as a guide for park and recreation improvements and
projects throughout the City of Palo Alto (City), encompassing State Route (SR) 82, US 101, and
Interstate (I-) 280. It represents a coordinated effort to align recreation resources and obtain
community support to enhance recreation facilities and services. The goals and policies aim to
improve existing park facilities, services and infrastructure, as well as to acquire and develop new urban parks and facilities in under-served areas of the City.
Lead Agency As the lead agency, the City is responsible for all mitigation for the Plans and projects proposed under the Plan, including any needed improvements to the STN and for VMT reduction. Fair
share contribution, financing, scheduling, implementation responsibilities and lead agency
monitoring should be fully discussed for all proposed mitigation measures.
''Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and ejjicienl transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability"
Comment Letter A Attachment D
Ms. Clare Campbell/City of Palo Alto June 5, 2017
Page 2
Cultural Resources Section E. Cultural Tribal Cultural Resources of the Initial Study (pages 73-84) does not present an adequate level of identification and evaluation of historical resources or Tribal Cultural Resources pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), nor does it provide mitigation measures that mandate the identification and evaluation of these resources as projects
are developed under the Plan. The Archaeological Resources section (page 81) cites that a
California Historical Resources Infonnation System (CHRIS) search was not conducted due to
the sizeable scope of the project area. However, such a records search should be the primary method, in addition to field surveys, of determining the Plan's potential to significantly impact historical resources and unique archaeological resources.
To meet the general professional standards for CEQA compliance, Caltrans recommends that the City conduct a cultural resource technical study that at a minimum includes a records search at the Northwest Information Center of the CHRIS and a field survey of the project area by a
qualified archaeologist and a qualified architectural historian. Additionally, pursuant to CEQA
and Assembly Bill (AB) 52, Caltrans recommends that the City conduct Native American consultation with tribes, groups, and individuals who are interested in the project area and may have knowledge of Tribal Cultural Resources, Traditional Cultural Properties, or other sacred sites. As listed in Section E -Check Box G (page 73), such resources are not limited to archaeological sites and can often include intangible elements that can be significantly impacted
beyond the effects of ground disturbance. Given this, Mitigation Measure CU-1 does provide for
adequate or appropriate mitigation.
If an encroachment pennit is needed for work within State right-of-way (ROW), Caltrans may require cultural resource technical studies be prepared in compliance with CEQA, Public Resources Code (PRC) 5024, and the Caltrans Standard Environmental Reference (SER) Chapter
2 (http://www.dot.ca.gov/ser/vol2/vol2.htm). Should ground-disturbing activities take place
within State ROW and there is an inadvertent archaeological or burial discovery, in compliance with CEQA, PRC 5024.5, and the SER, all construction within 60 feet of the find shall cease and the Caltrans District 4 Office of Cultural Resource Studies (OCRS) shall be immediately contacted at (510) 622-1673.
Traffic Control Plan
A Caltrans-approved Traffic Control Plan (TCP) is required to avoid project-related impacts to
the STN, if it is anticipated that vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic will be impacted during
the construction of projects proposed under the Plan requiring traffic restrictions and detours.
The TCP must also comply with the requirements of con-esponding jurisdictions.
In addition, pedestrian access through the construction zone must be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations (see Caltrans Temporary Pedestrian Facilities Handbook for maintaining pedestrian access and meeting ADA requirements during construction at:
www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/safety/Temporary _Pedestrian_ Facilities_ Handbook.pd±) (see also
Caltrans Traffic Operations Policy Directive 11-01 "Accommodating Bicyclists in Temporary
Traffic Control Zones" at: www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/policy/1 l-01.pdf). All curb ramps and
"Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system lo enhance California's economy and livability ..
A1
A2
A3
A4
Ms. Clare Campbell/City of Palo Alto June 5, 2017 Page 3
pedestrian facilities located within the limits of projects proposed under the Plan are required to be brought up to current ADA standards as part of the project.
For further TCP assistance, please contact the Caltrans District 4 Office of Traffic Management Operations at ( 510) 286-4579. Further transportation management infonnation is available at the
following website: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trafingmt/tmp_lcs/index.htm.
Bridges, Trestles, Culverts and Other Structures in Riparian Environments
Some project-level activities may affect riparian flow patterns upstream of bridges, trestles, culverts or other structures for which Caltrans holds responsibility. Please ensure project-level environmental documents include hydrological studies to detennine whether such impacts will occur, and to identify appropriate mitigation measures.
Sea Level Rise
The effects of sea level rise may have impacts on transportation facilities located in the Plan
area. Executive Order (EO) S-13-08 directs State agencies to plan for potential impacts by considering a range of sea level rise scenarios for the years 2050 and 2100. Higher water levels may increase erosion rates, change environmental characteristics that affect material durability, lead to increased groundwater levels and change sediment movement along shores and at estuaries and river mouths, as well as affect soil pore pressure at dikes and levees on which transportation facilities are constructed. All these factors must be addressed through geotechnical
and hydrological studies conducted in coordination with Caltrans.
Hazardous Materials All motor carriers and drivers involved in transportation of hazardous materials must comply with the requirements contained in federal and State regulations, and must apply for and obtain a hazardous materials transportation license from the California Highway Patrol. When
transporting ce1tain types of hazardous materials including inhalation hazards, safe routing and
safe stopping places are required. A route map must be carried in the vehicle. More information is available at: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/ops-guide/hazard.htm.
Encroachment Permit Please be advised that any ingress-egress, work (e.g., construction, vegetation management, drainage improvement, etc.), staging, storage, or traffic control that is conducted within or adjacent to or encroaches upon the State ROW requires an encroachment permit that is issued by Caltrans. Where construction related traffic restrictions and detours affect the STN, a Transportation Management Plan or construction TIA may be required. Traffic-related mitigation measures should be incorporated into the construction plans prior to the encroachment pennit process.
To apply, a completed encroachment permit application, environmental documentation, and five
(5)sets of plans clearly indicating State ROW as well as any applicable specifications,
calculations, maps, etc. must be submitted to the following address: David Salladay, DistrictOffice Chief, Office of Permits, California Department of Transportation, District 4, P.O. Box23660, Oakland, CA 94623-0660. It is important to note that, in order to uphold the Caltrans
"Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability"
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Ms. Clare Campbell/City of Palo Alto
June 5, 2017 Page 4
statutory responsibility to protect the safety of the traveling public, if this information is not adequately provided, then a pennit will not be issued for said encroachments. See the following
website for more infonnation: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/developserv/pennits.
Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Brian Ashurst at (510) 286-5505 or brian.ashurst@dot.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
PATRICIA MAURICE District Branch Chief
Local Development -Intergovernmental Review
c: Scott Morgan, State Clearinghouse -electronic copy Robert Swierk, VTA -electronic copy
"Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California ·s economy and livability ..
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County of Santa Clara
Parks and Recreation Department
298 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, California 95032-7669
(408) 355-2200 FAX 355-2290
Reservations (408) 355-2201
www.parkhere.org
31 May 2017
Ms. Clare Campbell
Senior Planner
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
SUBJECT: Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the City of Palo Alto
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan
To Whom It May Concern:
The County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department (County Parks) supports the City of
Palo Alto’s commitment to building and continuing its strong park system. The Parks, Trail,
Open Space & Recreation Plan will guide the city in providing additional and improved
recreational services to City residents as well as regional users.
County Parks is charged with the planning and implementation of The Santa Clara County
Countywide Trails Master Plan Update (Countywide Trails Plan), an element of the Parks and
Recreation Section of the County General Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on
November 14, 1995. Although responsibility for the actual construction and long-term
management of each individual trail varies, the County Parks Department provides general
oversight and protection for the overall trail system.
The Countywide Trails Plan (CWTMP) depicts a number of proposed trail routes that today are
either existing or proposed. The following CWTMP alignments are located within the City of
Palo Alto:
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Regional Trail (R1)– This regional trail
commemorates the route taken by de Anza in 1775 – 1776 when he led a group of
colonists from what is now Horcasitas, Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco Bay where they
established a presidio and mission for New Spain. This hiking and bicycle route within
Palo Alto is complete.
Comment Letter B
B1
SUBJECT: Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the City of Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open
Space, and Recreation Master Plan
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Dave Cortese, Ken Yeager, S. Joseph Simitian
County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
Matadero Creek/ Page Mill Sub-Regional Trail (S1) – this multi-city trail connects to
the Bay Area Ridge Trail Santa Cruz Mountains Section (R5-A). 2.6-mile section of this
trail within the City of Palo Alto remains incomplete.
Adobe Creek Connector Trail (C2) – this trail connects the San Francisco Bay Trail with
the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (R1-A). This trail remains incomplete.
San Francisco Bay Trail (R4) – as a hiking and bicycle route, the Bay Trail circles San
Francisco and San Pablo Bays linking nine Bay Area counties and over forty-two
shoreline cities. This trail remains incomplete.
The policies within the Countywide Trails Plan are intended to provide a coordinated vision for
linking trail plans and implementation efforts of individual jurisdictions and agencies within the
County. The County Parks Department respectfully recommends that the Countywide Trails Plan
be acknowledged within the City’s Parks, Trail, Natural Open Space & Recreation Plan. In
addition, for clarification purposes, County Parks recommends within Figure 9: Bikeways and
Pedestrian Routes Map that regional trails be labeled with their names.
The County Parks Planning Team is available as a resource regarding the Trails Element of the
Parks and Recreation Chapter of the 1995 County of Santa Clara General Plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the City of Palo Alto’s Parks, Trail, Natural Open Space & Recreation Plan. If
you have questions related to these comments, please call me at (408) 355-2228 or e-mail me at
Cherise.Orange@prk.sccgov.org .
Sincerely,
Cherise Orange
Associate Planner
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County of Santa Clara
Roads and Airports Department
10 I Skyport Drive San Jose, California 951 10-1 302 1-408-573-2400
June 5, 2017
Clare Campbell Senior Planner
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton A venue Palo Alto, CA 94301
SUBJECT: Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan
Dear Ms. Campbell:
The County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports Department appreciates the opportunity to review
the subject project and is submitting the following comment(s).
•Figure 4 of the Mitigated Negative Declaration illustrates enhanced bikeway featuresalong or crossing Page Mill-Oregon Expressway and Junipero Serra Boulevard/FoothillExpressway. Any project features affecting the County roads right-of-way should be
reviewed and approved by the County.
•The Master Plan proposes to add and/or enhance the parks and trails within the City thatmay result in increase in traffic accessing these facilities. If the increase in traffic resultsin significant impacts, appropriate mitigation measures should be identified to addressthese impacts.
If you have any questions or concerns about these comments, please contact me at (408) 573-
2462 or aruna.bodduna@rda.sccgov.org.
Sincerely,
\_ Aruna Bodduna Associate Transportation Planner
cc: MA, DSC
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Dave Cortese, Ken Yeager, S. Joseph Simitian County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith 7-007
Comment Letter C
C1
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Response to Comments Memo Page 20
City of Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, & Recreation Master Plan July 16, 2017
This page intentionally left blank
From:Barbara Beard
To:Barbara Beard
Subject:CEQA Referral - Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Date:Tuesday, June 13, 2017 10:19:45 AM
From: Costa, Aaron [mailto:aaron.costa@cep.sccgov.org] Sent: Friday, May 26, 2017 10:37 AMTo: Campbell, ClareSubject: RE: CEQA Referral - Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Clare,
The County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has the following comments
in response to the NOI:
Section H – Hazards and Hazardous Materials. Residual contamination related to underground
storage tanks likely remains at all of the locations listed in Table 9 and has the potential to be
encountered during site/project specific subsurface work activities. Additionally, contaminants such
as pesticides and metals may be present at current/future park facilities. The DEH requests that
language is added to subsection d to call-out that a site/project specific analysis of hazardous
materials (Phase I/Phase II) should be performed prior to commencement of subsurface work at
sites within the plan.
Thank you,
Aaron Costa
Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist
Site Mitigation Program
County of Santa Clara
Department of Environmental Health
1555 Berger Drive Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95112
(408)918-1954
http://www.sccgov.org/deh
*My normal office hours are 6:30am-3:00pm Mon-Fri
NOTICE: This email message and/or its attachments may contain information that is confidential or restricted. It is intended only for the individuals
named as recipients in the message. If you are NOT an authorized recipient, you are prohibited from using, delivering, distributing, printing, copying,
or disclosing the message or content to others and must delete the message from your computer. If you have received this message in error, please
notify the sender by return email.
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Comment Letter D
Response to Comments Memo Page 22
City of Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space, & Recreation Master Plan July 16, 2017
This page intentionally left blank.
22221 McClellan Road, Cupertino, CA 95014 Phone: (408) 252-3748 * Fax: (408) 252-2850
email: scvas@scvas.org * www.scvas.org
June 5, 2017
Ms. Clare Campbell
Mr. Peter Jensen
Planning and Community Environment Department
City of Palo Alto
Re: Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan
Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Dear Ms. Campbell and Mr. Jensen,
The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) appreciates the opportunity to comment on
the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Open Space and
Recreation Master Plan (Plan). SCVAS is one of the largest Audubon chapters in California. Our
mission is to promote the enjoyment, understanding, and protection of birds and other wildlife by
engaging people of all ages in birding, education, and conservation.
We have hundreds of members in Palo Alto who enjoy the City’s parks and open space. We have
been active in the public outreach process of updating the Plan, and we are thankful for the
opportunity to have a representative from our organization on the stakeholder group. Please
consider the following comments:
1. Please describe and cite the Palo Alto City’s Charter, Article IIIV “Parks” in the Plan and
in the IS/MND Project description / Regulatory Setting (MND, page 42).
Please add a map of Dedicated open space and parkland to the Plan.
2.Section 2.9.4 Needs (p. 11-12)
The need for nature in natural open space as well as in urban/suburban parks (including
enhancement of habitat, and pollinator-corridors throughout the city) was identified in the Plan’s
Title, guiding Principles (“Nature”) and the Goals (“Preserve and integrate nature, natural
systems, and ecological principles throughout Palo Alto“). Hundreds of participants in the public
outreach process identified nature, access to nature, relaxation in nature, and habitat for wildlife
etc. in their responses to questionnaires, intercept events and community meetings.
This need does not appear in the “Needs” section. The MND proposes, “Five categories of park-
related activities were identified during the community outreach process as being important:
Relax and enjoy the outdoors….”
Santa Clara ValleyAudubon Society
Comment Letter E
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22221 McClellan Road, Cupertino, CA 95014 Phone: (408) 252-3748 * Fax: (408) 252-2850
email: scvas@scvas.org * www.scvas.org
•Please add a Need: “Conservation, restoration and enhancement of nature and wildlife
habitat, and providing access to nature”
3. Mitigation Measure Bio-1 – please expand the riparian Corridor to 100-ft from the outer
Drip-line of the riparian vegetation for most activities, and 200-ft for active recreation areas. This
would bring the mitigation to current minimum City standards, as recently adopted by the City of
San Jose. In San Jose, most riparian projects are subject to a minimum setback of 100 feet with
the exception of: multi-use trails (10 feet), crop and horticultural projects (25 feet),
equipment/chemical storage (300 feet), and active recreational areas (200 feet). Setbacks are
measured from the outside drip line of the Riparian Corridor vegetation or top‐of‐bank;
whichever is greater (see San Jose Council Policy Number 6-34, pages 3-5).
4.Mitigation Measure Bio-2 – “Active nesting is present if a bird is sitting in a nest, a nest has
eggs or chicks in it, or adults are observed carrying food to the nest” please add: or fledgling’s
are using or being fed in the nest or its immediate vicinity.
5.Increased access to Nature – It is extremely positive that the Master Plan creates increased
access to nature. But increased access can come with a price to nature. Please provide more
discussion and mitigation of impacts of new access to natural areas, especially in Open Space
Preserves and along wetlands and creeks.
Please also give more consideration to mitigation of the impacts on wildlife of allowing dogs on
new trails in Open Space Preserves and along creeks. Many nature Preserves limit canine access
to all or parks of their Preserves.
We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the planning and outreach process and to
comment on the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have
questions.
Sincerely,
Shani Kleinhaus, Ph.D
Environmental Advocate
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Cell: (650) 868-2114
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RESO MND Parks Master Plan 1
Not Yet Approved
Resolution No. ____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Parks, Trails, Open
Space and Recreation Master Plan Mitigated Negative Declaration for which an
Initial Study was Prepared, in Accordance with the California Environmental Quality
Act, and Adopting a Related Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program
R E C I T A L S
A. Prior to the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Palo Alto prepared an Initial Study
and approved for circulation a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Parks, Trails, Open Space and
Recreation Master Plan (the “Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration”) all in accordance with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, together with state and local
guidelines implementing said Act, all as amended to date (collectively “CEQA”).
B. The Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan (the “Project”) analyzed under
the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration is a guidance and planning document for park and
recreation improvements, expansion and enhancement of facilities and services, and management of
parks throughout the city to serve the community’s needs. A more detailed description of the Project
is set forth in the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.
C. The draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was made available for public
comment from May 8, 2017 through June 6, 2017.
D. The City of Palo Alto considered the comments received during the public review period
and prepared a final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration including minor revisions.
E. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration concluded that implementation of the
Project could result in a number of significant effects on the environment and identified mitigation
measures that would reduce each of those significant effects to a less-than-significant level.
F. In connection with the approval of a project involving the preparation of an initial
study/mitigated negative declaration that identifies one or more significant environmental effects,
CEQA requires the decision-making body of the lead agency to incorporate feasible mitigation
measures that would reduce those significant environmental effects to a less-than-significant level.
G. Whenever a lead agency approves a project requiring the implementation of measures
to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment, CEQA also requires the lead agency to
adopt a mitigation monitoring and reporting program to ensure compliance with the mitigation
measures during project implementation, and such a mitigation monitoring and reporting program has
been prepared for the Project for consideration by the decision-making body of the City of Palo Alto as
RESO MND Parks Master Plan 2
Not Yet Approved
lead agency for the Project (the “Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program” or “MMRP”).
H. The City of Palo Alto is the lead agency on the Project, and the City Council is the
decision-making body for the proposed approval of the Project.
I. The City Council has reviewed and considered the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration and related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project, together with
comments received on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, and intends to take actions on
the Project in compliance with CEQA and state and local guidelines implementing CEQA.
J. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and related Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program for the Project are on file in the Office of Planning and Community Environment,
located at 250 Hamilton Avenue, 5th Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301 are available for inspection by any
interested person at that location and are, by this reference, incorporated into this Resolution as if
fully set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. THE CITY COUNCIL does hereby make the following findings: (1) it has
independently reviewed and analyzed the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and other
information in the record and has considered the information contained therein, prior to acting upon
or approving the Project, (2) the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the Project
has been completed in compliance with CEQA and is consistent with state and local guidelines
implementing CEQA, and (3) the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration represents the
independent judgment and analysis of the City of Palo Alto, as lead agency for the Project. The City
Council designates the Director of Public Works, at 250 Hamilton Avenue, 6th Floor, Palo Alto, CA
94301, as the custodian of documents and records of proceedings on which this decision is based.
SECTION 2. THE CITY COUNCIL does hereby find that based upon the entire record of
proceedings before it and all information received that there is no substantial evidence that the Project
will have a significant effect on the environment and does hereby adopt the Mitigated Negative
Declaration and related Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Project. The
Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration (1) is available at www.paloaltoparksplan.org; and (2) a hard copy is available for viewing
at City of Palo Alto City Hall, 5th Floor – Planning Department, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
94301.
RESO MND Parks Master Plan 3
Not Yet Approved
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
________________________________ ______________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
Deputy City Attorney