HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-24 Parks and Recreation Commission Summary Minutes1 MINUTES
2 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
3 Regular Meeting
4 February 24, 2026
5 In-Person & Virtual Conference
6 Palo Alto, California
7
8 Commissioners Present:Chair Nellis Freeman (virtual), Vice Chair Bing Wei, Vadim Axelrod, Amanda
9 Brown (joined late), Yudy Deng, Shani Kleinhaus, and Roger Smith
10 Commissioners Absent:None
11 Others Present:Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims
12 Staff Present: Ben Heistein, Lisa Myers, Sarah Robustelli, Chris Sanchez, and Michael
13 Warner
14 CALL TO ORDER
15 Chair Freeman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
16 PUBLIC COMMENT
17 None
18 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
19 None
20 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
21 1. Approval of Minutes from January 27, 2026
22 MOTION: Commissioner Axelrod moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve the
23 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting draft minutes of January 27, 2026.
24 MOTION PASSED: 6-0-1 (Commissioner Brown abstained)
25 CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS
26 2. Council Liaison Report
27 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims reported that last night's Council meeting included the midyear
28 budget review. The City faced a projected deficit in the coming year and for the next 6 years
29 through 2032, so the City was making decisions about where to cut expenses. The State's
30 change in sales tax computation, particularly in the auto sector, was the primary cause of the
31 City's projected revenue shortfalls. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims expressed confidence in the
32 City staff and the Council being fiscally responsible, conservative, and prudent. The Council went
33 into closed session last night to discuss a builder's remedy housing project proposed by the
34 owners of the Mollie Stone's Market, who wish to build approximately 382 housing units atop a
35 renovated Mollie Stone's, located at the end of California Avenue, adjacent to a car-free street
36 and near a busy Caltrain Station. About 13 percent of the units would be affordable.
37 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims is the Chair of the Council's Rail Safety Ad Hoc Committee,
38 which was formed days after a youth committed suicide at the tracks. In response to the
39 community outcry for 24/7/365 human presence at the tracks, a Paly student named Julia
40 started a petition asking the City to deploy guards at all 4 rail crossings. The Palo Alto Unified
41 School District (PAUSD) partnered with the City to pay about $1.8 million per year for guards to
42 provide a visual deterrent every hour of every day as of yesterday. In response to feedback from
43 community members, staff, and Council, there will be a 60-day study of the potential benefits,
44 downsides, and impacts on public safety of closing Churchill, for example, how ambulances
45 would reach Stanford Hospital from the east side of town if Churchill Avenue were closed.
46 During that time, the City will hold 3 community engagements to gauge public opinion on the
47 closure of Churchill. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is the regulatory agency
48 with the authority to close a street that intersects a train crossing. If the City recommends
49 closure of Churchill after the 60-day study, the City and Caltrain will go together to present the
50 circumstances to the CPUC. Before February 3, the City worked with Caltrain to purchase and
51 install anti-intrusion panels at intersections to make it difficult to walk beyond the safe crossing,
52 as well as a combination of LiDAR and AI-based assessment to detect atypical human behavior
53 near the tracks.
54 Last night, the Council held a study session on the impact of oversized vehicles parked on city
55 streets and the needs of people who live in vehicles. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims is on the
56 Oversized Vehicle Ad Hoc Committee. Under consideration are greater enforcement of the City's
57 laws through citations and towing noncompliant vehicles, regular street sweeping, deep
58 cleaning streets with RV dwellers, and seeking opportunities to lease or buy land for people to
59 live in their vehicles in a safe parking lot. The ad hoc committee is exploring a pilot program in
60 which RV dwellers pay a small fee to park in designated areas with a City permit, and the City
61 would handle their trash and sewage. The number of RV dwellers in Palo Alto has increased
62 significantly in recent years, likely due to neighboring Cities not allowing RV parking. The City
63 asked Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga's Office to convene a regional conversation in mid-April to
64 examine best practices for collectively addressing this issue.
65 3. Department Report
66 Sarah Robustelli, Division Manager for Open Space, Parks, and Golf, presented the department
67 report. Approximately 200 people attended the second annual Hearts and Harmony Valentine's
68 Day Dance on Friday, February 13, at Mitchell Park Community Center, up from 120 last year.
69 Ada's Cafe co-produced this inclusive event, welcoming community members of all ages and
70 abilities, and featuring a DJ, arts and crafts, activities, a photo booth, and light refreshments.
71 The event reached its preregistration maximum of 250 participants with an additional 98
72 individuals on the waitlist.
73 Celebrate friendship during February with the following events. The fifth annual Palo Alto Puzzle
74 Hunt concludes this week, offering a chance to team up with friends to solve puzzles while
75 exploring some of the best spots in town. On Saturday, February 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the
76 Discover Your Path event will take place at the Mitchell Park Community Center and will feature
77 a raffle and giveaways. This is a great opportunity for teens and young adults to explore diverse
78 career options, gain valuable skills, hear from panelists, and engage with professionals from
79 various industries. The second annual Around the World in a Day festival will be held on
80 Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lucie Stern Community Center. This festival
81 celebrates diverse traditions and cultural heritage through exhibits, performances, and food
82 trucks. The 2026 May Fete Parade on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., will start at
83 University Avenue and the fair will be at Heritage Park. This year's theme is Not All Heroes Wear
84 Capes.
85 To address budget reductions, Ms. Robustelli announced that the Cubberley Community Center
86 Office will be open by appointment only starting March 2. The agenda for next month's
87 Commission meeting includes a business item regarding the Cubberley concept master plan and
88 CEQA review.
89 Ms. Robustelli was pleased to report that the new downtown Bryant Community Center had a
90 soft opening as part of its phased rollout. Currently, several winter classes are being offered,
91 including line dancing, piano lessons, and a Boost fitness class. The teen center is open on
92 Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and has been at full capacity each day, accommodating 25
93 teens since its opening on February 11. The Teen Art Commission will collaborate with teens
94 from across the city to design and paint murals inside the teen center. The Community Services
95 Department is planning a grand opening for the Bryant Community Center in late spring, and
96 staff will keep the Commission updated on the date and further details.
97 For the summer of 2026, the City is offering 310 camps, with 2,943 campers enrolled so far and
98 an additional 1,695 on the waitlist. There continues to be strong demand for specialty and
99 enrichment programming. The woodworking camp is the most popular, with 22 participants and
100 103 on the waitlist. This summer marks the second season in which the City will not send out a
101 printed catalog. The City is offering 92 sports camps, 21 of which have met their minimum
102 enrollment requirements. Last year, there were 86 sports camps, with 53 reaching their
103 enrollment minimums by the end of the season. Sports camps typically have weekly caps of 20
104 to 40 participants and often fill up later in the season. Camps associated with year-round
105 classes, such as tennis and soccer, tend to see later registration because participants are already
106 enrolled in those programs. Staff are closely monitoring enrollment trends, combining camps
107 where feasible, and making operational adjustments to ensure strong participation. Some
108 families choose to remain with their year-round teams during the summer instead of enrolling in
109 sports camps.
110 In December, the Commission held a quasi-judicial hearing on a park improvement ordinance
111 and potential tree removals at 2100 Geng Road, a private developer adjacent to the Baylands
112 Athletic Center. Following last week's winter storm, staff conducted site assessments and
113 identified 3 to 4 tree failures in that area. Additionally, there was 1 tree failure on the golf
114 course and 2 tree failures within the golf course maintenance yard. No injuries occurred as a
115 result of these storm-related tree failures. Staff responded promptly to secure the areas and
116 coordinate cleanup.
117 Ms. Robustelli reported that the City's in-house maintenance team recently completed work to
118 enhance visibility and improve sightlines at Bowden Park. This effort is part of the City's ongoing
119 initiatives to increase safety and usability. The City is collaborating with a native plant expert to
120 create an appropriate plant palette while ensuring clear visibility. Ms. Robustelli plans to
121 schedule a Community Services Department workday in the spring for planting activities.
122 Noting that the Commission lacked information about the Bryant Community Center, Chair
123 Freeman inquired about its location, how staff communicated its usage, and whether the
124 Commission had any input on its operations. Chair Freeman recalled that discussions about the
125 summer waitlist and program popularity take place every year. Chair Freeman questioned
126 whether the number of participants had increased or decreased and whether these changes
127 corresponded with the population size. Chair Freeman suggested that the Commission could
128 assist by forming an ad hoc committee or appointing a liaison to bring forward ideas to reduce
129 the waitlist, particularly for the more popular programs, potentially by partnering with other
130 athletic facilities in Palo Alto.
131 Ms. Robustelli announced that La Comida plans to serve lunches at the Bryant Community
132 Center located downtown. Ms. Robustelli mentioned that the City had been closely
133 collaborating with youth and teens regarding the teen center. Staff will invite the Commission to
134 the grand opening of the Bryant Community Center and will offer a tour of the facility. Staff are
135 eager to fully program the space. Ms. Robustelli will follow up with Chair Freeman regarding
136 whether participation numbers have increased, as she did not have specific data available
137 during the meeting. Ms. Robustelli noted that the team had been adding classes but space and
138 staffing limitations can restrict programming. Due to their popularity last year, additional
139 specialty classes, including woodworking, were added for this summer. Staff will continue to
140 make adjustments to fill any gaps when possible.
141 Chris Sanchez led the planning process for the downtown teen center. To gather input from the
142 teen community, the Youth Council distributed a survey to teenagers in Palo Alto to ask about
143 their preferred amenities, workshops, events, furniture, and overall atmosphere for the new
144 teen center. More than 300 survey responses were compiled and analyzed, which informed the
145 creation of mock layouts for the teen center. Focus groups consisting of members from the Palo
146 Alto Youth Council, the Teen Advisory Board, and teens who visit Mitchell Park Community
147 Center's teen center provided insights into the desired amenities, furniture, events, programs,
148 and operational hours for the new downtown teen center.
149 Vice Chair Wei was happy that the Valentine's dance was oversubscribed, indicating that the
150 marketing efforts were effective. Vice Chair Wei inquired whether there were plans to move the
151 event to a larger venue or to incorporate an indoor/outdoor combination for next year. Vice
152 Chair Wei enjoyed visiting the new Bryant Community Center and noted that the teens
153 appeared to appreciate it during her visit to the Youth Council. Compared to the Mitchell teen
154 center, the new Bryant teen center offered a more relaxing atmosphere, featuring large
155 windows and plenty of trees outside. Vice Chair Wei wondered if there would be clear signage
156 to inform people about the teen center and other community activities. Vice Chair Wei hoped
157 the City could collaborate more with Avenidas across the street to facilitate cross-generational
158 learning activities.
159 Ms. Robustelli recognized that the venue's capacity was between 250 and 300 people, so she
160 believed the staff could accommodate about 100 additional attendees for the Valentine's dance,
161 or that using both indoor and outdoor spaces would be a good alternative for the event. Ms.
162 Robustelli was aware that the facility updates to the Bryant Community Center were not yet
163 complete, so she assumed that the upcoming phases would include signage.
164 4. Ad Hoc Committee and Liaison Updates
165 Commissioner Axelrod provided an update regarding Cubberley, stating that there will be a
166 presentation to the Commission in March and to the Council in April. A fourth poll will be
167 conducted to gather community feedback, with results expected in May. These results, along
168 with the tenants' priorities for Cubberley, will help determine the next steps. If approved, the
169 ballot must be submitted in late summer.
170 Commissioner Smith reported that the Friends of the Palo Alto Parks were funding the
171 conceptual design for the Foothill Preserve Interpretive Center.
172 Vice Chair Wei visited the Youth Council and expressed her delight at seeing them in the new
173 teen center. The Mitchell Park Library, along with the local community, organized 2 Chinese
174 New Year celebrations that drew a great turnout and were joyful events. Councilmember
175 Lythcott-Haims and Vice Mayor Veenker attended the celebration last Sunday. Vice Chair Wei
176 and Chair Freeman spoke with Adam Howard regarding the court policy.
177 Chair Freeman announced that the agenda item regarding the analysis of pickleball and tennis
178 courts was postponed to April, and there will be more updates as it continues to develop. Chair
179 Freeman mentioned that PAUSD Safe Routes will meet on Thursday, and this topic is likely to be
180 included in the work plan discussion as a future agenda item. Chair Freeman is a member of the
181 San Antonio Community Advisory Group. A presentation is on the Commission’s March meeting
182 agenda. As housing is developed within our community, it is important to ensure that
183 recreational activities, such as parks, are provided.
184 Commissioner Kleinhaus mentioned that an event took place on Friday in Mountain View to
185 celebrate the completion of Pond A2W, a former salt pond now being restored, marking a
186 significant milestone that took many years to achieve. The portion of the Bay Trail that goes
187 through Palo Alto has opened and it will eventually go around the bay. The salt ponds this
188 project connects are situated between Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and Palo Alto, extending
189 toward San Jose and Sunnyvale. The salt pond restoration project does not include Palo Alto
190 because the City never utilized its baylands for salt production and never sold them to Cargill. As
191 a result, Palo Alto is ineligible for funding to restore its baylands and wetlands. Palo Alto will be
192 impacted by the construction of another salt pond project, as trucks will transport soil on
193 Terminal Way, at the end of San Antonio Road.
194 Commissioner Axelrod said the turf pilot was being streamlined with a well-defined study to
195 begin installing fields this summer and assess their performance throughout the year. There was
196 funding for this part of the project.
197 BUSINESS ITEMS
198 5. Palo Alto Youth Council Updates
199 Chris Sanchez, the Staff Liaison for the Palo Alto Youth Council, introduced Maddie Park, a junior
200 at Castilleja and the President of the Palo Alto Youth Council, along with Vin, a junior at Gunn
201 High School and the Vice President of the Palo Alto Youth Council. Maddie expressed her
202 excitement about attending the PRC study session.
203 Vin mentioned that the Youth Council had 8 subcommittees and was comprised of 29 Palo Alto
204 students from Gunn, Paly, Castilleja, Nueva, and Crystal Springs. This year, there were over 60
205 applications for the Youth Council, an increase driven by heightened publicity efforts. The
206 objective of the Youth Council was to amplify youth voices within the Palo Alto community.
207 Maddie stated that the Youth Council focused on 3 key issues during the first semester: mental
208 health, civic engagement, and highlighting student efforts.
209 Camille and Reed were members of the Advocacy Subcommittee of the Palo Alto Youth Council
210 during the first semester. One event organized by the Subcommittee was a Student
211 Organization Spotlight that hosted 16 youth-led organizations from Palo Alto to share their work
212 and the impact they have on the community. The focus of those youth groups included climate,
213 mental health, transit, voting, arts, and music. Each organization had the opportunity to table at
214 the event, allowing attendees to learn more about their initiatives and discover ways to get
215 involved. Reed mentioned that the Youth Council’s Instagram page gave a spotlight on those
216 organizations to promote their activities and encourage youth activism. Camille added that this
217 event coincided with their mock City Council meeting, during which some City Council Members
218 came to discuss youth issues with the Youth Council and listen to their ideas and proposed
219 solutions.
220 Mira was a member of the Mental Health Report Subcommittee. This report aims to clarify the
221 extent of the mental health issues facing youth while proposing constructive solutions based on
222 the experiences of both the students and mental health professionals in Palo Alto. With the high
223 academic pressure and stress prevalent in Silicon Valley, youth have observed significant
224 impacts on themselves and those around them, including friends and classmates. Based on their
225 observations and research, the subcommittee has concluded that the City can provide greater
226 support for youth mental health in our community. The report includes statistics from a mental
227 health census that gathered input from over 250 teenagers, including students from public and
228 private high schools and middle schools.
229 Sarah mentioned that the Civic Engagement Subcommittee drafted a policy proposal,
230 researching various existing local initiatives relevant to Palo Alto. Emily highlighted that their
231 goal with this policy proposal was to amplify youth voices within the Palo Alto community. Since
232 teens account for nearly 14 percent of the Palo Alto population, incorporating their perspectives
233 is essential for fostering a strong future community. The 20-page report detailed many issues
234 that were important to youth, including public transit, civic engagement, student safety, climate
235 change, and substance abuse. Focusing on and researching these topics were steps toward a
236 future where youth are more engaged and involved in the community. Sarah noted that this
237 proposal built on last year's youth census report, which gathered data from over 260 students
238 who provided input on their policy recommendations.
239 Averie discussed the Final Study Cram Slam held in early December. The event aimed to provide
240 academic support, alleviate anxiety, and foster community bonding by encouraging the
241 formation of study groups, offering a silent study room, providing free dinner and snacks,
242 inviting learning specialists, and bringing in therapy dogs. The event was successful, attracting
243 around 100 participants each night.
244 Maddie Park mentioned that they are finalizing 2 proposals and will send them to the
245 Commission Members and City Council Members upon completion. Near the end of the first
246 semester, the Youth Council provided feedback on the layout, amenities, furniture, potential
247 programs, workshops, and events for the new teen center, and assisted in analyzing the
248 feedback results. The Youth Council has held a couple of meetings in the new teen center.
249 All members of the Youth Council were required to attend at least 2 City-sponsored events each
250 year. The Youth Council helped manage the Jack-O-Jaunt event at Lytton Plaza, including the
251 jack-o'-lantern displays.
252 Vin said that local youth councils gathered annually at the YAC Social (Youth Advisory Council)
253 event, last held at the Burlingame Community Center. YAC Attack is an upcoming event. The
254 Palo Alto Youth Council assisted at the tree lighting event by distributing food and beverages,
255 clearing the stage between performances, and spreading holiday cheer through caroling with
256 community members.
257 Maddie Park mentioned that the Youth Council participated in the MLK event organized by YCS
258 and had the chance to network with other organizations. The Youth Council set up a reflection
259 booth to encourage attendees to reflect on what they had learned and experienced throughout
260 the day.
261 Steven, a freshman at Palo Alto High School, said that the YAC Attack was scheduled for next
262 Saturday.
263 Audrey, a freshman at Castilleja, announced that the Pancakes and Pickleball event will take
264 place in late March. Steven explained that the primary purpose of this event is to connect local
265 officials with teenagers in a fun and informal setting. It aims to enhance youth civic engagement
266 and raise awareness of local government through interactive community programming. Audrey
267 mentioned that some of the planned activities will include pickleball games with City Council
268 members and community leaders, as well as additional recreational games. The Youth Council
269 will provide snacks and refreshments for attendees.
270 Last year, Vice Chair Wei participated in the Pancakes and Pickleball event. Maddie invited all
271 Commission Members to attend this year’s event. Maddie provided an overview of Grow
272 Together, an upcoming Earth Day event. The objective of this event was to highlight youth
273 voices and their impact on climate and environmental issues, and to raise awareness of
274 opportunities for youth to engage in their communities. The planned tabling for the event will
275 include the Youth Commission Advisory Board, school clubs, and PASCC. The Youth Council is
276 working on partnerships with Gamble Garden and GreenWaste. The Youth Council will organize
277 a flowerpot painting and native seed workshop, along with snacks and a raffle to encourage
278 teen participation. Maddie Park also discussed the Civic Impact Summit, which aims to increase
279 youth civic literacy regarding national issues and political polarization, while empowering teens
280 to take meaningful civic action. The Youth Council is reaching out to professors to invite them to
281 speak at the event. In the past, the Civic Impact Summit featured tables where teens could write
282 letters to local officials, as well as tabling from various organizations to raise awareness about
283 their work. This year, the planned offerings include a student-led interactive civic engagement
284 fair, opportunities for local organizations and clubs to promote civic participation, and expert
285 speakers discussing how young people can navigate polarization and strengthen political
286 institutions.
287 Camille mentioned that one of the main focuses for the second semester is mental health,
288 especially in light of recent events and previous reports and surveys concerning youth in Palo
289 Alto. The Youth Council is developing and will soon launch a new mental health survey for young
290 people in Palo Alto. This survey aims to gather information on the mental health resources they
291 currently use, their opinions on mental health sick days, and any suggestions they may have for
292 solutions the Youth Council could propose to the City Council. The goal is to destigmatize mental
293 health issues among youth through various initiatives. Throughout the semester, the Youth
294 Council will present the survey results to the City Council, school boards, and other decision-
295 making bodies.
296 Vin discussed the upcoming Palopalooza event in May, which the Youth Council organized in
297 collaboration with their sister organization, the Teen Advisory Board. This fun event will feature
298 youth musicians, popcorn, and tie-dye activities.
299 On behalf of the Youth Council, Vin presented the following question to the Commission for
300 consideration: How does the Commission assess whether Palo Alto Parks and Recreation
301 programs are equitably accessible to youth across Palo Alto? How can our parks better support
302 youth mental health and stress relief? How can the Youth Council help the Parks and Recreation
303 Commission the most? Vin encouraged Commission Members to attend any of the Youth
304 Council meetings.
305 The Commission expressed gratitude to the Youth Council for their presentation and
306 contributions to the community.
307 In response to the question of how the Youth Council can best assist the Parks and Recreation
308 Commission, Vice Chair Wei suggested that the Youth Council could come to the Commission
309 twice a year (once at the beginning and once at the end of the year) to discuss how the
310 Commission can support the Youth Council's initiatives. Vice Chair Wei was looking forward to
311 reading the reports from the youth mental health survey and proposal. Vice Chair Wei asked
312 whether data were available on the 250 teens surveyed regarding the schools they attended.
313 Vice Chair Wei requested clarification on Vote 16 Palo Alto. Vice Chair Wei was excited about
314 the upcoming Civic Impact Summit and asked whether the date and venue had been finalized.
315 Vice Chair Wei expressed interest in attending the Pancakes and Pickleball event once again.
316 Vin mentioned that the survey data included the schools that students attended. Maddie added
317 that a survey conducted a couple of years ago included students from Castilleja, Gunn, and Palo
318 Alto High School (Paly), though it showed an overrepresentation of Castilleja students. One of
319 the proposed next steps is to send out a new survey that better reflects the teenagers in Palo
320 Alto and potentially includes some middle school students.
321 Vin stated that the Youth Council hosted Vote 16 Palo Alto during the Student Organization
322 Spotlight but they were not directly associated with that organization. Vin thought that Vote 16
323 Palo Alto aims to lower the voting age to 16 for City Council and school board elections.
324 Maddie noted that the Civic Impact Summit will be on April 25 at the Mitchell Park Community
325 Center.
326 Commissioner Smith said he was very proud of all the Youth Council members. As a board
327 member of the Palo Alto Police Foundation, Commissioner Smith expressed interest in learning
328 more about the Youth Council and wondered if the Police Foundation had been helpful to them.
329 Commissioner Smith wanted to know where the Youth Council sourced their therapy dogs,
330 noting that the police department also has a couple of dogs.
331 Maddie responded that the Youth Council had not interacted significantly with the Palo Alto
332 Police Foundation but thought it would be exciting to include them in an upcoming event or find
333 a way to incorporate their perspectives. Maddie added that Averie had more information about
334 the therapy dogs but she thought they had reached out to some connections in Palo Alto to
335 arrange their availability.
336 Commissioner Axelrod attended the Jack-O-Jaunt and Christmas tree lighting events, and he
337 praised the Youth Council for making those occasions welcoming. Commissioner Axelrod
338 inquired whether the Youth Council had any insights into which youth-led organizations were
339 seeing high levels of participation and which ones were less popular. This information would
340 help the Commission identify the most utilized resources.
341 Vin replied that the Youth Council did not track the number of attendees at each organization’s
342 booths but noted that many community organizations were thriving, particularly those invited
343 to participate in their events. Vin knew that PASCC, the Climate Coalition, and Vote 16 Palo Alto
344 had all experienced growth.
345 In response to how the Commission assessed whether Parks and Recreation programs were
346 equitably accessible to youth across Palo Alto, Commissioner Kleinhaus explained that the
347 Commission aimed to ensure programs were available in different parts of Palo Alto rather than
348 concentrated in a single park. Commissioner Kleinhaus asked the Youth Council whether Parks
349 and Recreation programs were equitably accessible to all youth or if there were disparities
350 across the city. Commissioner Kleinhaus noted that the Commission had previously discussed a
351 shuttle service to Arastradero but the City did not prioritize this initiative. Although
352 Commissioner Kleinhaus was uncertain about its feasibility, she encouraged the Youth Council to
353 advocate for a shuttle to enhance access to Open Space preserves. In addressing how parks
354 could better support youth mental health and stress relief, Commissioner Kleinhaus highlighted
355 studies indicating that exposure to nature can be beneficial, such as seeing butterflies, birds, or
356 other animals. Commissioner Kleinhaus asked the Youth Council whether they believed that
357 incorporating elements of nature, such as a butterfly garden, could help relieve stress.
358 Vin mentioned that the Youth Council was examining, through its report, whether Palo Alto
359 Parks and Recreation programs were equitably accessible to youth throughout the city.
360 Maddie added that Palo Alto Link began providing free transportation for teens to access mental
361 health services or visit parks and recreation facilities last year. Maddie emphasized that this
362 service greatly improved teens' ability to reach parks. Maddie believed having nature in parks
363 could support stress relief and benefit teens. From Maddie's personal experience, whenever she
364 visits a park while working on a challenging assignment or feeling stressed, stepping outside and
365 taking a break to walk around helps alleviate her stress; however, she was uncertain about its
366 effects on depression or anxiety.
367 Vice Chair Wei echoed Commissioner Kleinhaus's comment about the positive impact of nature
368 on teens, which was one of the reasons she joined the Parks and Recreation Commission. Vice
369 Chair Wei was curious about how much the Youth Council leveraged the parks' natural features.
370 Vice Chair Wei noted that transportation could be a challenge for teens. There is internet access
371 at the Foothills Information Center. Vice Chair Wei wondered if transportation options would
372 make it easier for teens to access the parks and if teens preferred traveling in a shuttle with a
373 larger group rather than in a taxi with only a couple of people. Vice Chair Wei suggested looking
374 into potential partnerships with corporations for corporate social responsibility initiatives, such
375 as donating a van for weekend outings. Vice Chair Wei asked how frequently Youth Council
376 members visit Foothills Park and how the City could encourage teens to visit the park more
377 often. Vice Chair Wei mentioned that doing homework in a park can be a relaxing experience
378 and suggested that the Youth Council could help promote this idea among students. Vice Chair
379 Wei noted that Commissioner Smith had many contacts in the corporate sector.
380 Vin shared that he has been visiting Foothills Park since he was 5 years old and continues to
381 return because he loves it; his favorite is the Fern Loop Trail. Vin emphasized that engaging with
382 Palo Alto's parks is awesome, and improving access, especially for youth, is a valuable and
383 motivating experience. Vin stressed the importance of publicizing the parks and ensuring that
384 youth are aware of the various wonderful parks in Palo Alto.
385 Commissioner Brown appreciated the Youth Council’s sweatshirts, believing they provided a
386 professional appearance and enhanced their visibility at events.
387 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims, who served as the Youth Council liaison for the City Council,
388 expressed her admiration for the organized, thorough, and impressive presentation.
389 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims had been advocating for the Youth Council to have more
390 opportunities to interact with the commissions and the Council, and they made good use of
391 today's opportunity. The City organized the Discover Your Path event for Saturday to help
392 students broaden their perspectives on potential career paths. Often, only a limited number of
393 careers attract widespread excitement but many other possibilities deserve attention.
394 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims emphasized the need to highlight these options better.
395 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims inquired about the Youth Council's perspective on the event,
396 whether people will attend, whether the Youth Council was aware of it, and what would
397 encourage students to engage and make the most of the 3-hour event. Councilmember
398 Lythcott-Haims asked the Youth Council for its thoughts on the benefits teens and seniors could
399 gain from the teen center sharing space with La Comida, a meal service for low-income seniors.
400 Much like therapy dogs, Councilmember Lythcott-Haims mentioned research indicating that
401 interactions between grandparents and grandchildren, whether related or not, can be mutually
402 beneficial and improve the mental health of both generations.
403 Vin mentioned that the Youth Council Members will participate in the Discover Your Path event,
404 with 2 members serving as emcees for the panel. The Youth Council is engaged and excited
405 about it, believing it is a positive direction for the City. Vin observed at the YAC Social and YAC
406 Attack events that neighboring community YACs hold digital literacy events where teens assist
407 seniors with technology. As a result, the Youth Council is considering hosting a similar event in
408 the future to enhance its connections with the community.
409 Reed, who attends a public school, saw a variety of perspectives. Reed considered himself
410 academically inclined and believed the City's focus had primarily been on academic careers;
411 however, Reed thought it was crucial to acknowledge the array of other career options
412 available. Although Reed had a scheduling conflict and could not attend the Discover Your Path
413 event, he recognized its importance in highlighting the options available for individuals who may
414 not be on an academic track.
415 Maddie saw significant value in fostering intergenerational connections. In creating more
416 discussion around mental health, climate change, or political polarization, Maddie believed that
417 teens could learn a lot from the older generation. Maddie saw great value in bringing together
418 the Youth Council and La Comida organizations and encouraging teens to engage with seniors.
419 Maddie was not aware of many programs currently attempting to bridge the gap between youth
420 and seniors.
421 Councilmember Lythcott-Haims noted that a person can be highly academic yet still choose
422 paths outside of software engineering, such as government work, trades, or the humanities.
423 During her last visit to the Youth Council, Vice Chair Wei was impressed with the bill the Youth
424 Council was developing. Vice Chair Wei wondered whether the Youth Council needed any
425 support. Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and Senator George Becker had attended the Chinese
426 New Year event, and their offices could offer guidance to the Youth Council if they wished to
427 advance their bill from the City Council to Santa Clara County and then to the State of California.
428 Vice Chair Wei offered to arrange for a speaker to visit the Youth Council in April or May to
429 provide support and help guide them through the legislative process.
430 Maddie thought it would be fantastic to have support from Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and
431 Senator George Becker. Maddie mentioned that the Youth Council is considering the format,
432 how they want to approach those discussions, and whether to present to PAUSD or the City
433 Council and local officials rather than pursuing a more formal bill.
434 Public Comment: None
435 Commissioner Deng inquired about the application process for the Youth Council and the
436 selection of members versus being placed on the waitlist.
437 Maddie explained that the application process consisted of 3 steps. The first step was a written
438 application, which Maddie and Vin designed this year. The application included 3 or 4 questions
439 on what applicants were most passionate about and what issues they wished to advocate for
440 while serving on the Youth Council. Other questions addressed collaboration skills, as the Youth
441 Council wanted to ensure that selected members could work well together. The second step
442 was an in-person interview. For the third step, applicants submit a video essay in which they
443 briefly discuss who they are and what they hope to contribute to the Youth Council.
444 Additionally, Vin noted that the application process includes a letter of recommendation.
445 Maddie described the Youth Council as a puzzle, emphasizing the importance of selecting
446 individuals who are passionate about their ideas, adaptable, capable of working on various
447 projects, and committed to ensuring that youth are engaged in the community and involved in
448 climate, mental health, and other critical issues.
449 To incorporate the youth perspective into the Commission's decision-making process, Chair
450 Freeman asked how the Youth Council would like to be involved in park design, programming, or
451 outreach.
452 Vin mentioned that they are considering youth perspectives in their reports. Once they finalize
453 those reports, the Youth Council will share them with the Commission.
454 Maddie enjoyed seeing commissioners at the Youth Council's events because it allowed the
455 youth to engage with them. For instance, the Pancakes and Pickleball event is an informal and
456 fun atmosphere that allows young people to talk about what they are most passionate about
457 and what they believe the City should focus on.
458 Vice Chair Wei enjoyed the jack-o’-lantern carving, Christmas Tree lighting, and last year’s
459 pickleball event.
460 The Youth Council posed for a photo with the Commission.
461 6. Open Space Update
462 Michael Warner, the Supervising Park Ranger for the foothills area, delivered a slide
463 presentation. In 2025, the City of Palo Alto Open Space preserves welcomed over 1M visitors,
464 with 500,480 visitors for the Baylands, 297,620 for the Foothills Nature Preserve (equivalent to
465 approximately 102,000 vehicles), 190,650 for the Pearson-Arastradero Nature Preserve, and
466 43,800 for Esther Clark Park. The busiest months were August at Baylands, April at Foothills, and
467 May at Pearson-Arastradero. In 2025, approximately 1,600 annual passes were sold, along with
468 804 library pass checkouts, which was about 300 more than under the previous system. The
469 Open Space Division generated around $390,000 in revenue from Foothills Nature Preserve
470 entry fees, administrative citations, and permit and reservation fees; however, expenses were
471 about $3.3M, primarily for utilities, staff salaries, and pensions. One of the Council’s priorities is
472 fleet electrification. Open Space had 15 electric vehicles, roughly 13 percent of the fleet. A grant
473 opportunity with the Office of Emergency Services for an electric utility terrain vehicle (UTV) was
474 shared with Open Space for use within the foothills preserves and, being electric, reduced the
475 impact on local wildlife. In December 2024, Open Space purchased an electric-assist/pedal-assist
476 mountain bike (formerly Class 1) to patrol the Arastradero Preserve. The bike has logged about
477 700 miles. Feedback from visitors had been overwhelmingly positive. The bike was useful in
478 emergency medical responses and search-and-rescue operations in the Foothills Nature
479 Preserve, allowing staff to quickly reach areas that previously would take a long time to access
480 on foot.
481 Mr. Warner stated that the Palo Alto park ranger program included 2 supervising rangers and 6
482 full-time rangers divided between the foothills area and the Baylands. Additionally, there are 7
483 part-time employees, 2 assistant rangers, and 5 Open Space technicians who mainly assist with
484 visitor services and maintenance. Palo Alto employs generalist park rangers, meaning they
485 perform a variety of tasks such as enforcing preserve regulations, ensuring public safety,
486 providing outreach and education, conducting search and rescue operations, and responding to
487 medical emergencies. The rangers are also trained as Federal Type 2 wildland firefighters,
488 involved in maintenance, stewardship, and wildlife monitoring. Some lead workers are classified
489 as Type 1 firefighters, while supervising rangers serve as crew bosses. Palo Alto park rangers
490 responded to 173 calls for service in 2025, including 36 medical calls, 3 suicide attempts, 3
491 vegetation fires, 4 vehicle fires, 1 illegal rubbish burn, 2 oil spills, 1 body recovery, 1 aircraft
492 crash, 1 assault, and 1 water rescue. The rangers issued 36 citations and 246 written warnings
493 for Open Space code violations within the Foothills and Arastradero Preserves. Additionally, the
494 rangers issued 210 parking citations, primarily for nonpayment of entry fees at Foothills.
495 To provide special public safety patrols during high-visit events, park rangers collaborated with
496 the Office of Emergency Services, Palo Alto Police Department, Palo Alto Fire Department, and
497 the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. For instance, during the mandatory workday for
498 staff at Baylands and Foothills on the 4th of July, they addressed issues with young adults
499 possessing fireworks and alcohol in the Foothills Nature Preserve, preventing potential incidents
500 such as wildland fires. In mid-August, Open Space participated in a special patrol with the
501 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District during the Perseid meteor shower. The
502 infrastructure in the foothills cannot handle hundreds of vehicles at night, especially parking on
503 vegetation during high fire danger. This year, to mitigate impacts on the preserves, the Foothills
504 were opened to the upper turf above the lake, allowing people to pull in off of Page Mill Road,
505 and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District opened the Skyline Ridge Open Space
506 parking area off Skyline Boulevard. Together, these facilities accommodated about 500 visitors,
507 parking them in safer locations to minimize wildlife disturbance. Mr. Warner stated that Open
508 Space conducted several outreach and educational events. Open Space collaborated with the
509 Stanford School of Medicine, California Coastal Cleanup Day, World Ranger Day, the Palo Alto
510 Police Department for National Night Out, and the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival. Whenever
511 possible, Open Space sent at least two rangers to these events, accompanied by their
512 interpretive snake, Slinky, who was around 10 years old.
513 Open Space had been focusing on improving staff training and training for other City
514 departments. Earlier this year, Open Space partnered with the Palo Alto Fire Department to host
515 their annual wildland fire training academy. Additionally, Open Space collaborated with Marin
516 Municipal Water District, the City of San Jose, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and
517 the County of Santa Clara to conduct training at Foothills Nature Preserve. This training
518 emphasized the use of patrol trucks equipped with fire pumps, teaching participants how to
519 operate them effectively and understand basic hydraulics. A training session was held with the
520 Palo Alto Police Department to enhance their understanding of operations in rural
521 environments, which was crucial because the City owned nearly as much land west of Highway
522 280 in rural areas as it did in urban areas east of Highway 280 Additionally, staff participated in
523 4-wheel-drive training at Hollister Hills Recreational Vehicle Area to safely operate emergency
524 vehicles in off-road conditions. This year, Open Space initiated a partnership with the Palo Alto
525 Fire Department to train their staff to use a new UTV based out of Station 2, which is frequently
526 used for Stanford events and can respond to the foothills for medical rescues when needed. The
527 training this year also covered topics such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, communications,
528 and the use of force.
529 Mr. Warner mentioned that approximately half of their ranger staff are EMTs. Throughout the
530 year, emergency responses included vehicle accidents on Page Mill Road, bicycle accidents
531 within the preserves, trips and falls, and clearing access when fallen trees blocked the roads
532 during storms. There was a plane crash at the Baylands last February, where a plane overshot
533 the runway and ended up in the marsh. This incident involved a large cleanup effort that lasted
534 many hours and required collaboration among various City departments, including the fire
535 department, Open Space, police department, airport, Environmental and Water Quality,
536 California Fish and Wildlife, and the Coast Guard. Additionally, staff participated in a large
537 mutual aid search at the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve in May 2025.
538 For fire fuel mitigation, Mr. Warner stated that Open Space annually mowed about 485 acres of
539 the 4,000 acres and conducted disking to turn the soil. Fuel breaks are essential for preventing
540 the rapid spread of fires. With input from a couple of rangers, the Community Wildfire
541 Protection Plan, previously known as the Foothills Fire Management Plan and last updated in
542 2018, was revised this year to align with new state standards and the Santa Clara County
543 Community Wildfire Protection Plan. In December 2025, 12 eucalyptus trees were removed
544 along Arastradero Road to improve the habitat and make the area safer in the event of a fire or
545 winter storm. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan expanded the Page Mill fire break by
546 about 200 feet off Page Mill Road. As a result, the Green Climber, a remote-controlled forestry
547 mulcher, was rented for approximately 3 months for use by Open Space staff and the
548 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and the work was completed last summer. The
549 Green Climber provided better visibility, enabling operators to be more sensitive to hazards and
550 wildlife. In the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, off Laurel Glen, vegetation was cut back from the
551 road to create an effective escape route for residents in the event of a wildfire. Additionally, a
552 significant amount of invasive French broom was removed from that area because it is a fire
553 hazard.
554 Wildfire Response teams and rangers responded to 2 prescribed burns (Peterson and Ohlone) at
555 Sanborn County Park and responded to 3 wildfires (the Roble Fire, the Creek Fire off Deer Creek
556 Road, and the Elena Fire in Los Altos Hills). Rangers do not engage with vehicle fires due to the
557 presence of chemicals. Instead, rangers ensure that everyone is safe or receiving medical
558 attention and secure the area to prevent the vehicle fire from spreading into the wildland.
559 Mr. Warner highlighted the following accomplishments. Open Space replaced approximately 33
560 wayfinding posts within the Arastradero Nature Preserve and 28 wayfinding posts in the
561 Foothills Nature Preserve. The Baylands Nature Preserve was updating its signage, which
562 required significant administrative time from the supervisor and staff to ensure accuracy. Signs
563 typically lasted about 20 to 30 years. Staff have replaced or created new benches, including one
564 at Bobcat Point in the Foothills Nature Preserve. As infrastructure ages and needs replacement,
565 ongoing maintenance is a crucial part of the daily weekday work. Installing a gate was labor-
566 intensive due to its size and weight. This year, staff completed approximately 1,100 linear feet of
567 fence replacement or installation. To educate visitors about the coyotes present in the
568 Arastradero Preserve, coyote habitat signs were introduced. Binocular viewfinders were
569 installed at Vista Hill in the Foothills Nature Preserve, funded by the Friends of the Palo Alto
570 Parks. After the replacement of the decking (a project delayed since 2020), the Tracy Court
571 Bridge was reopened to horse traffic after horses were previously unable to cross due to rotted
572 boards. Recent trail work at Foothills Nature Preserve included improvements to upper Steep
573 Hollow, eliminating some old stairs and creating a more sustainable, less steep grade. Work was
574 completed on Los Trancos Trail in one area just above the interpretive center, covering about
575 1,000 linear feet, as well as another section extending from Madrone Fire Road to Trappers Fire
576 Road along a portion of Los Trancos Loop within the Foothills Nature Preserve.
577 Mr. Warner discussed the work completed by various City departments in Open Space areas.
578 The Public Works Department addressed the seepage issues at Boronda Lake Dam. Ranger staff,
579 particularly Ranger Dave Scott, coordinated this effort with the Public Works contractor to
580 install a weir box. Since earthen dams naturally seep water, it's crucial to monitor seepage as
581 they age to ensure their structural integrity. The Foothills Improvement Plan is 90 percent
582 complete. With input from Commissioner Kleinhaus and former Commissioner Greenfield, staff
583 will present the plan to the PRC later this year. Open Space collaborated with a Public Works
584 contractor to assess the condition of the bridges within the Arastradero Preserve and the
585 Baylands Preserve. On January 31, 2026, Public Works and Water Quality completed the
586 horizontal levee project at the Palo Alto Baylands. Unlike traditional levee designs, horizontal
587 levees were set back slightly, allowing space for wildlife to retreat as water levels rise.
588 Commissioner Kleinhaus recalled previous presentations regarding the horizontal levee project,
589 which had received support from the PRC. The horizontal levee would mitigate the effects of sea
590 level rise and serve as the final treatment stage for some of the water from the adjacent Water
591 Pollution Control Plant. The horizontal levee was recently planted.
592 Mr. Warner reported that Valley Water’s tide gate project was underway at the Baylands. In the
593 Foothills area, the Utilities Department was in Phase 4 of the project to underground the
594 electrical and communication lines in the Montebello Open Space Preserve. Phases 1, 2, and 5
595 were complete. Phase 3 was nearing completion, with approximately 10 utility poles remaining
596 to be removed. After this project, there will be no live aboveground electrical lines in the
597 Arastradero or Foothills Nature Preserves. The Arastradero Creek stabilization project was
598 progressing through environmental review and planning. In response to the exposure of an 8-
599 inch gas line during the winter storms in 2023 and a slide on the Arastradero Creek trail, the gas
600 lines will be relocated out of the creek bed and a restoration project will stabilize the creek. A
601 temporary repair was made in the summer of 2023.
602 Mr. Warner discussed wildlife monitoring and the response efforts for injured wildlife in the
603 preserves. Rangers assist animal control officers in capturing and transporting injured animals to
604 wildlife rescue or by removing the bodies of deceased animals, such as when vehicles collide
605 with animals. Open Space investigated wildlife conflicts, such as encounters with mountain lions
606 in the foothills and issues involving coyotes and humans. There were educational signs in the
607 Arastradero Preserve about coyotes. Mr. Warner shared photos of the following wildlife found
608 in Palo Alto's preserves. In the Foothills Nature Preserve, there is the western bluebird, a small
609 thrush that nests in cavities created by local woodpeckers. The oldest recorded western
610 bluebird was banded in 2001 and found in California in 2008. Steller's jays imitate the cries of
611 red-shouldered hawks, which was thought to serve as a warning for other birds to seek shelter
612 or as a way to scare off competing birds such as ravens. Columbian black-tailed deer in the
613 Foothills were frequently observed in the mornings or evenings on the lawns. These deer have
614 excellent eyesight, can move their ears independently to detect potential threats more
615 effectively, and use pheromone glands on their lower legs to communicate danger and identify
616 one another.
617 Mr. Warner mentioned that coyotes frequently visit all of Palo Alto's Open Spaces. While
618 coyotes can often be seen alone, they prefer to be in small packs. We are entering the pupping
619 season when mated pairs have pups and other coyotes from the pack move into the area to
620 help protect the den. Visitors to the preserves needed to keep dogs on a leash in areas with
621 known dens, as coyotes will be more defensive in those locations. Tarantulas are residents of
622 the preserves. Male tarantulas migrated in the fall, reached sexual maturity at around 5 years
623 old, and sought out females in their dens. Tarantulas typically live in gopher holes or other holes
624 in the ground. Female tarantulas can live up to 25 to 30 years, while males live about 7 to 12
625 years. Tarantulas can inject their urticating hairs (straight hairs on their legs and abdomen) into
626 predators or, if touched, stick to the skin, serving as a defense mechanism. California newt and
627 rough-skinned newt were in many of Palo Alto's preserves and usually emerged around this time
628 of year, especially during rainy evenings. To protect newts from human activity, Open Space
629 posted "Caution: Newt Xing" signs. Open Space also posted signs during tarantula season. There
630 had been a reduction in vehicle strikes involving tarantulas, with only 1 known incident last year.
631 The population number of newts was unknown. Protecting newts was an ongoing educational
632 effort because they were harder to spot. Staff worked diligently to relocate newts from
633 roadways and trails to minimize conflicts with humans.
634 Rangers advised people to stay out of the preserve after dark to protect the mountain lions that
635 lived there. Voices, barking dogs, and loud music could drive mountain lions away from their
636 habitats and potentially out of the preserves, increasing the risk of conflict with humans. Game
637 cameras positioned at a feeding site showed mountain lions leaving while feeding when they
638 heard human voices within a couple of hundred yards. Biweekly, rangers have discovered
639 domestic animals that owners released into the preserves. For example, a black domestic cat
640 named Panther was released in Foothills Nature Preserve in October 2025. To rescue Panther,
641 staff collaborated with animal control officers and a volunteer who specialized in trapping lost
642 animals. Panther went to the shelter and an elderly couple in Belmont adopted him.
643 Unfortunately, many domestic animals released into the preserves do not have a happy ending.
644 Mr. Warner hoped to see a reduction in the number of domestic animals released into the
645 preserves in 2026, encouraging owners instead to utilize available resources, such as animal
646 shelters.
647 Mr. Warner shared a photo of the aurora borealis over Foothills Nature Preserve taken in
648 October 2025.
649 The Commission thanked the ranger team and staff for the comprehensive update and for
650 stewarding the roughly 4,000 acres of Open Space preserves.
651 Chair Freeman inquired about the number of Open Space rangers. Chair Freeman expressed a
652 desire for staff to deliver this presentation in other areas to raise awareness of the significant
653 work Open Space performs.
654 Mr. Warner answered that the Open Space team consisted of 2 full-time supervising rangers, 6
655 full-time rangers, 2 part-time assistant rangers, and 5 part-time technicians who work 2 to 3
656 days a week.
657 Vice Chair Wei wondered if there were trained volunteer park rangers. Vice Chair Wei was
658 impressed that the preserves attracted 1M visitors, given the team's small size. Vice Chair Wei
659 asked if the number of visitors had increased compared to the previous year and whether there
660 was any data on how many visitors were Palo Alto residents versus those from the Bay Area,
661 California, nationwide, and internationally.
662 Mr. Warner responded that there were no volunteer park rangers. A volunteer trail patrol
663 assisted during the opening of Foothills Nature Preserve in 2020, but interest in the program
664 eventually waned. Open Space did not have enough staff to provide adequate management for
665 a volunteer program. Mr. Warner did not have demographic data regarding the visitors.
666 Attendance at Foothills Nature Preserve surged after its opening in 2020, with numbers
667 remaining around 200,000 to 220,000 since then.
668 Lisa Myers, the Baylands Supervising Ranger, stated that most visitors to the Baylands came
669 from Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, and other areas along the Peninsula.
670 Approximately 20 percent of those visitors were drawn to Baylands specifically for birdwatching,
671 as it is a birding destination located along the Pacific Flyway. Baylands had several good birding
672 spots, including Emily Renzel Pond. Baylands stretches from the Mountain View border to Bay
673 Road in East Palo Alto, making it a popular route for bicycle commuters heading to Facebook,
674 Google, and other destinations.
675 Commissioner Axelrod regarded the Open Space preserves as some of Palo Alto's greatest
676 treasures. Commissioner Axelrod inquired about the success of allowing access to parking for
677 viewing the Perseid meteor showers, asking if many cars were still parked along Page Mill.
678 Commissioner Axelrod wanted to know whether Mr. Warner believed that was the best solution
679 or if additional measures were necessary, such as more signage, park-and-ride options, or other
680 strategies. Commissioner Axelrod asked if Palo Alto conducted prescribed burns. Commissioner
681 Axelrod noted that junior ranger programs were very popular in state parks and wondered if
682 Palo Alto had anything similar.
683 Mr. Warner recalled the first year of extreme visitation for the Perseid meteor shower was a
684 Saturday in 2023. Page Mill Road was shut down for over an hour because traffic was gridlocked
685 and not even first responders could get through. It was much better in 2025 when Open Space
686 provided people an area to park. In 2025, rangers issued 3 parking citations, requested several
687 handfuls of people to move along to the appropriate parking area, and responded to 1 vehicle
688 accident where 2 rangers provided medical aid until Fire arrived. Additionally, staff addressed a
689 vandalized sign. Overall, there were much fewer issues and less impact to the preserves and
690 resident neighbors. Mr. Warner thought they probably found a solution but it needed a little
691 adjustment.
692 Mr. Warner mentioned that Open Space conducted a couple of pile burns in January. Those
693 were management burns in which dead and downed material from the surrounding area was
694 collected, piled together, and burned in a more controlled manner than traditional prescribed
695 burns, which involved open burning of an area. Open Space collaborated with Grass Roots
696 Ecology to strategically place the pile burns to target non-native invasive weeds that were
697 germinating and seeds. The goal was to eliminate those weeds and introduce biochar into the
698 environment, which could help propagate native grasses and wildflowers. Mr. Warner said that
699 a junior ranger program had been previously discussed but they did not have someone fully
700 dedicated to it; however, it could be implemented if more staff were available. After COVID, the
701 focus shifted to operational necessities but Mr. Warner would like the park ranger's role to
702 include more educational programs.
703 Commissioner Kleinhaus inquired about the causes of the 2 vehicle fires that occurred last year
704 and who was responsible for the cleanup from the aircraft that ended up in the Baylands.
705 Commissioner Kleinhaus noted there had been significant vegetation clearing around the bench
706 at Bobcat Point. In the future, Commissioner Kleinhaus advised staff to consider the
707 maintenance required to keep a bench in a location that demanded extensive vegetation
708 removal because it might be better to reconsider the bench's placement if small improvements
709 required extensive maintenance and vegetation clearance. Commissioner Kleinhaus shared that
710 it was a pleasure to meet Mr. Warner on the Arastradero trails. Commissioner Kleinhaus
711 mentioned that the Woodland Star Trail was recently resurfaced with black material resembling
712 asphalt, expressing concern that it could attract vehicles, so she suggested exploring lighter-
713 colored materials instead. Commissioner Kleinhaus was pleased to learn that the gas line would
714 be removed from the creek and that the creek would be restored. Commissioner Kleinhaus
715 believed that replacement of existing infrastructure was exempt from CEQA and she wondered
716 whether the creek project would come before the PRC for review.
717 Commissioner Kleinhaus emphasized the importance of educating the public about the
718 consequences of abandoning animals in the wild, as many do not survive and become prey for
719 coyotes and other predators. Commissioner Kleinhaus asked whether any data were available
720 on the population trends of various species (deer, coyotes, salamanders, etc.) within the
721 preserves. Commissioner Kleinhaus was excited to learn that 20 percent of visitors to the
722 Baylands come specifically to see birds, which was higher than the attendance for many of the
723 City's other program offerings. Commissioner Kleinhaus urged staff to remember that
724 birdwatching was a big attraction and the Baylands served as an important habitat for migratory
725 birds.
726 Mr. Warner was not a vehicle fire investigator; however, he understood that the first vehicle fire
727 occurred as a result of a crash and the second was due to an improperly maintained vehicle. Mr.
728 Warner mentioned that the clearing of the tall, thick vegetation around the bench at Bobcat
729 Point was done to enhance the view but the vegetation will gradually return and then be
730 properly managed. Mr. Warner explained that the Woodland Star Trail was compacted to
731 weatherize it. The ground-up rock material used on Woodland Star Trail was gray but will
732 eventually transform to resemble the appearance of Meadowlark Trail. Similar work was
733 performed on Meadowlark Trail about 1½ years ago and it has since changed to a more natural,
734 earth-like appearance. Mr. Warner stated that Open Space monitored mountain lion sightings
735 recorded on wildlife cameras. While staff may track observations of various species at their
736 discretion, there was no formal tracking procedure in place. Mr. Warner particularly enjoyed
737 coyotes and kept an eye on their activities.
738 Ms. Myers said the pilot’s insurance company paid the agencies that billed for the cleanup in the
739 Baylands.
740 Ms. Robustelli stated that the gas line project would come to the PRC for a park improvement
741 ordinance. The PRC received an informational update regarding this project last year.
742 Commissioner Smith learned that the residents of Los Altos Hills frequently use Palo Alto’s park
743 and he wanted to know whether there were any differences in how we engaged with them. The
744 Friends of the Palo Alto Parks wondered if there was a way to encourage Los Altos Hills to
745 contribute financially, given that the park was located nearby. Commissioner Smith expressed
746 interest in exploring this suggestion in the future.
747 Mr. Warner said that the park was open to everyone and all visitors received equal treatment
748 with no preferential treatment given to anyone. Many residents from Palo Alto and Los Altos
749 Hills walk or bike to the preserve every day. Mr. Warner mentioned that there was an Open
750 Space Committee for Los Altos Hills.
751 Ms. Robustelli was not aware of any formal discussions regarding Los Altos Hills in recent years.
752 Ms. Robustelli mentioned that there had been significant use of Byrne Preserve, particularly
753 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people hiking in both Byrne Preserve and the nearby
754 Foothills Nature Preserve. Ms. Robustelli suggested that Los Altos Hills could be addressed
755 during the upcoming conversation about funding partners.
756 Commissioner Deng inquired about adding notes beneath the photographs to indicate specific
757 locations for educational purposes, such as where the fire occurred. Commissioner Deng wanted
758 to know whether any issues had arisen from the collaboration with local public safety agencies.
759 Mr. Warner stated that Open Space worked closely with the Palo Alto Fire Department,
760 maintaining a collaborative relationship that dated back to around 1967 or 1968. They were
761 excellent partners, working together on training exercises and emergency response efforts.
762 Station 8 was located in the foothills. Open Space collaborated significantly with the Public
763 Works Department. While Public Works was the primary agency responsible for Page Mill Road,
764 they were far away and managed many miles of road. Open Space was the nearest available
765 resource and was usually the first agency called to assist Public Works with anything needed on
766 Page Mill Road, such as when a tree blocked the road or there was snow on it. Open Space
767 worked closely with several community organizations, including Grassroots Ecology,
768 Environmental Volunteers, Friends of Foothills, and Friends of the Palo Alto Parks.
769 Ms. Myers mentioned that the Open Space staff at Baylands worked closely with Fire, Public
770 Works, airport staff, Water Quality officials, post-closure landfill staff from Zero Waste, and
771 animal control officers. Ms. Myers noted that a significant number of animals dumped in Open
772 Space were abandoned in the Baylands. The Junior Museum and Zoo managed the Lucy Evans
773 Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, and their naturalist or instructor staff worked out of that
774 building.
775 Public Comment: None
776 Chair Freeman inquired about visitation patterns and the key challenges in balancing public
777 access with the need for protection and safety. Chair Freeman wondered if the Commission
778 could help staff with their challenges by forming a PRC ad hoc committee or appointing a liaison
779 to address visitation patterns and the increasing demands on Open Space’s work.
780 Ms. Myers stated that visitation trends at Baylands were similar to those at Foothills. Ms. Myers
781 noted that the main challenge at Baylands was not having enough staff during holidays and
782 weekends that coincided with popular events, such as the Perseid meteor shower and king
783 tides.
784 Mr. Warner stated that visitation at Foothills had plateaued over the last couple of years,
785 following a period of explosive growth when the park first opened. Mr. Warner identified the
786 main challenge as a lack of time to provide additional outreach and education, so he thought
787 that supplementing the ranger team would be helpful. With 14 years of experience as a ranger,
788 Mr. Warner observed cyclical patterns in the popularity of certain events, such as the Fourth of
789 July and the Perseid meteor shower, which presented challenges that many park districts faced.
790 Mr. Warner pointed out that, while the fire and police departments had mutual aid agreements,
791 park rangers did not, and that they had to manage the sudden influx of thousands of visitors
792 while minimizing impact on the natural environment. It remained a delicate balance between
793 encouraging people to enjoy nature and protecting these valuable resources, especially since
794 many of them were very special and there were not a lot of places left like that. The PRC could
795 assist in achieving this balance by identifying additional resources for Open Space to enhance
796 their ability to protect natural resources, engage the public, and provide responsible ways to
797 enjoy natural spaces. The PRC could suggest better ways for Open Space to connect
798 communities. For the Perseid meteor shower, Open Space collaborated with the Midpeninsula
799 Regional Open Space District, which had a staff of about 30 rangers to manage 70,000 acres of
800 land and 26 preserves.
801 Vice Chair Wei asked which resource was most urgently needed: capital to hire more ranger
802 staff or community support to recruit volunteers. Vice Chair Wei inquired whether Open Space
803 had submitted a budget proposal to the City Council for the number of staff necessary to
804 manage 1M visitors, and if there was any way the Commission could assist. Vice Chair Wei
805 emphasized the importance of nature as a crucial resource. Vice Chair Wei suggested exploring
806 potential corporate funding in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce or managing
807 volunteers through the Friends of the Parks. Vice Chair Wei acknowledged that Commissioner
808 Smith was a proponent of corporate social responsibility. Vice Chair Wei suggested that the
809 Commission consider forming an ad hoc committee to research local grant opportunities. Vice
810 Chair Wei noted that some community members had previously donated to the police
811 department and wondered if they could also contribute to Palo Alto’s parks. Vice Chair Wei
812 inquired whether Open Space would deliver a presentation on the role of park rangers as part of
813 the Career Path event on March 28. Vice Chair Wei believed the City could seek funding from
814 World Ranger Day to implement an idea proposed by Commissioner Kleinhaus the previous
815 year: to train youth rangers at a summer camp or to host a ranger day to showcase the work
816 rangers do.
817 Ms. Myers explained that Foothills had a staff of 5 full-time rangers and 1 supervising ranger
818 when it opened. In the 1970s, the City added 609 acres of Arastradero Preserve; however, Open
819 Space did not receive any additional staff. Following the Liddicoat Fire in 1985, the most
820 expensive fire in Santa Clara County to that point, Open Space added 2 park rangers to the staff
821 of 4 rangers and 1 supervisor, bringing the total to 7 rangers. When the City added Baylands, the
822 total size of Palo Alto’s Open Space doubled to 4,000 acres but Open Space did not get
823 additional staffing. Although Open Space added 1 park ranger position approximately 4 years
824 ago, it remained significantly understaffed to manage over 1M visitors. Ms. Myers noted that
825 the volunteer programs that Open Space had implemented over the years had not been
826 successful over the long term due to volunteers’ lack of commitment and turnover. Training
827 volunteers required considerable time and resources from the staff, leading Ms. Myers to
828 believe that adding more staff was the best solution.
829 Ben Heistein expressed that the timing was not ideal to advocate for increasing staffing levels,
830 expanding programming, and facilitating volunteer programs without securing external funding,
831 given the directive to reduce the City’s General Fund budget by 3 percent. Mr. Heistein
832 mentioned that it would take some time to identify potential partners to establish endowments
833 for operations and maintenance but it was a medium-term proposition worth exploring.
834 Ms. Robustelli suggested discussing endowments with existing funding partners.
835 Mr. Warner stated that they will participate in the upcoming Career Path event in Palo Alto and
836 the Midpeninsula Conservation job fair in Los Altos. Mr. Warner is on the board of directors for
837 the Park Rangers Association of California, which conducted outreach to promote interest in the
838 park ranger profession. Mr. Warner was acquainted with Jeff Ohlfs, who was the International
839 Ranger Foundation’s liaison to California and a former Chief Park Ranger for Joshua Tree
840 National Park. Mr. Ohlfs coordinated the World Ranger Day celebrations for the past few years.
841 Mr. Warner mentioned that they did not attend this year’s World Ranger Day celebration
842 because it was in southern California, near San Luis Obispo; however, in previous years, they
843 attended the event when it took place at Point Reyes National Seashore.
844 Commissioner Axelrod asked whether Mr. Warner identified a solution for peak-demand
845 periods, such as the Perseid meteor shower and the Fourth of July. Commissioner Axelrod
846 encouraged staff to plan for busy events and to communicate via social media about parking or
847 directing people to a park-and-ride.
848 Mr. Warner did not reach out on social media. The staff could strategically plan for busy days.
849 Open Space issued special-use permits for large hiking groups and summer camps, allowing staff
850 to prepare for those gatherings. Demand for larger groups to visit the preserves had significantly
851 increased. Last year, Open Space issued 67 permits. Mr. Warner mentioned that Ms. Robustelli
852 assisted staff at the gatehouse in Foothills during the aurora borealis. Mr. Warner stated that
853 the Open Spaces Ad Hoc Committee could further discuss Commissioner Axelrod’s suggestion.
854 Commissioner Kleinhaus suggested that on nights when Open Spaces expected a lot of people,
855 maybe the Youth Council could wear orange vests and help direct traffic, which would give
856 youth an opportunity to learn and get some volunteer hours.
857 Mr. Warner said that the ad hoc committee could consider Commissioner Kleinhaus’s
858 recommendation.
859 Ms. Myers explained that Baylands had some ham radio operators who served as eyes and ears
860 for the rangers; otherwise, they did not extensively use volunteers for the Fourth of July event.
861 Ms. Myers emphasized that Baylands needed professionally trained personnel to manage traffic
862 at the 3-way stop but staff could explore other options for involving volunteers.
863 Vice Chair Wei pointed out that many parents were trained to direct traffic at schools,
864 suggesting that the PTA could be a valuable resource for volunteers and the children would
865 likely enjoy attending the event.
866 Mr. Warner stated that they could consider Vice Chair Wei’s suggestion.
867 7. Review and Confirm the Parks & Recreation Commission Fiscal Year 2027 Work Plan
868 Chair Freeman stated that the Commission reviewed the work plan at their retreat. Chair
869 Freeman noted that Project/Goal 4 was “Natural Grass Pilot” but the Measure of Success stated
870 "Natural Grass Turf Pilot."
871 Ben Heistein stated that the pilot's scope was natural grass. If deemed appropriate, they would
872 consider turf in the next fiscal year.
873 Sarah Robustelli, the Division Manager for Open Space, Parks, and Golf, noted that Attachment
874 A to Item 7 reflected the Commission's discussion at the retreat. Ms. Robustelli invited
875 comments on whether to eliminate Project/Goal 7: Nature Connectivity or to propose any other
876 changes to the work plan.
877 Vice Chair Wei believed that Project/Goal 7: Nature Connectivity was unnecessary because it
878 duplicated the Open Space Ad Hoc Committee's efforts.
879 Commissioner Kleinhaus explained that Nature Connectivity encompassed all parks, not just the
880 preserves, thereby extending beyond the scope of the Open Space Ad Hoc Committee. Nature
881 Connectivity considered guidelines or direction for staff to implement the connectivity maps in
882 the City's Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan to increase natural assets in Palo Alto's
883 parks.
884 Chair Freeman thought that Project/Goal 7 Nature Connectivity should remain in the work plan.
885 Vice Chair Wei inquired whether the Commission would collaborate with PAUSD, Safe Routes,
886 and/or the City Council, along with Caltrain, to close the crossing and implement any other
887 necessary changes following the 60-day study of the crossing.
888 Mr. Heistein assumed that the PAUSD and the City Council would be involved if Churchill were
889 closed.
890 Chair Freeman believed that there was little the Commission could do regarding Churchill.
891 Ms. Robustelli indicated that the staff planned to change “moderate staff time” in the Resources
892 Needed for Project 7 to “low staff time.”
893 Commissioner Kleinhaus stated that Project 7 would begin with low staff time but it may require
894 additional staff time once there were elements to review and consider.
895 8. Assignment of Commissioners to Ad Hoc Committees and Liaison Roles
896 Chair Freeman was involved in Recreation Programs and requested an assignment as a liaison.
897 Ben Heistein noted that the word “turf” could be removed from the Natural Grass Turf Pilot Ad
898 Hoc Committee.
899 Commissioner Axelrod requested clarification on the necessity of the PAUSD/Safe Routes Ad
900 Hoc Committee, considering that the City's contract with PAUSD ended in November.
901 The PAUSD/Safe Routes Ad Hoc Committee included middle school athletics, so Chair Freeman
902 wanted to know where middle school athletics would go if the PAUSD/Safe Routes Ad Hoc
903 Committee were to change to Safe Routes.
904 Mr. Heistein recommended that middle school athletics fall under Recreation Programs because
905 the Recreation staff managed it.
906 Chair Freeman suggested that Recreation Programs could include middle school athletics,
907 pickleball, and tennis.
908 There was a discussion about whether the Park Groups liaison should have a third member,
909 given the category's size; however, the Commission agreed to keep it at 2 members because
910 having 3 could be logistically challenging.
911 Sarah Robustelli, the Division Manager for Open Space, Parks, and Golf, inquired if
912 Commissioner Kleinhaus attended the Measure E meeting and whether she decided to stay on
913 the Park Dedication Ad Hoc Committee. Ms. Robustelli mentioned she had conversations with
914 Chair Freeman regarding Ventura and the Park Dedication Ad Hoc Committee.
915 Commissioner Kleinhaus attended the Measure E meeting held by the staff of Public Works and
916 the Water Pollution Control Plant. Commissioner Kleinhaus understood there were other
917 options, so she asked whether Park staff agreed with Public Works and the Water Pollution
918 Control Plant staff on what to do with the Measure E site. Because of Commissioner Kleinhaus’s
919 interest in Measure E, she wanted to stay on the Park Dedication Ad Hoc Committee.
920 The staff will revise the work plan based on the changes discussed and will make a final
921 presentation to the City Council in April.
922 The Commission agreed to change PAUSD/Safe Routes to Youth/Safe Routes. The liaison’s staff
923 contacts would be Adam Howard for Youth and Rose Mesterhazy for Safe Routes. Chair
924 Freeman removed himself from the Youth/Safe Routes Liaison but Vice Chair Wei and
925 Commissioner Axelrod will remain.
926 Commissioner Kleinhaus was the only member on Open Space Preserves and Urban Forestry.
927 Commissioner Smith will join Open Space Preserves.
928 COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS
929 Sarah Robustelli, the Division Manager for Open Space, Parks, and Golf, announced that the
930 Commission’s next meeting agenda included a Cubberley update and the San Antonio Road Area
931 Plan. The April agenda will include tennis/pickleball and middle school athletics. In May, staff
932 anticipated an agenda item on the second deck study.
933 Commissioner Axelrod questioned whether the San Antonio Road Area Plan would be presented
934 to the Commission in March or April, considering that the design concept would remain open for
935 another month and the results would not be available in March.
936 Ms. Robustelli explained that the San Antonio Road Area Plan was on the Commission’s March
937 agenda, despite the design concept remaining open, due to the timing of the Council’s meeting.
938 Chair Freeman added that the agenda item for the San Antonio Road Area Plan would include
939 accomplishments to date but it would likely return to the Commission at a future date.
940 ADJOURNMENT
941 Chair Freeman adjourned the meeting at 10:21 p.m.