[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458012,"mediaKeyId","5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b","parentId",5824375,"title","Palo Alto commission backs updated field-and-court rules, adds 25% residency requirement for USTA teams","audioSeconds",3525,"startMs",4416000,"endMs",7941000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b&start=4416&end=7941","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b/thumbnail_4416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458012/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-commission-backs-updated-field-and-court-rules-adds-25-residency-requirement-for-USTA-teams","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458012-c506e6755a190b59f5b670c0025507ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214879&Signature=iKaVzw8jWpB1AwLsj-B1iSTz0YW9evNPfBYSJKZTGAQ6ok-F04wMTe-u6My6th6MBZ7rMjFbhVTwIita6MK5Bkh~eoi3sfTloXCRDxKuGLO3gNrXGolMmSv6-zzTrkkBYN~KSww7DF5Qt19C9lmfzWK304JzSdIOQx-XygfyEnNtA-v1oVjfhU0aWaQ18rQ2W8RYlnrEt7yKaevFDLEhhoFugu6fx3WeGwhvW52858BY1fB6hYGXZxJXkzU2LI0N~UvEYFE~9gXES~DRIOxDL01rBOg6atrAOgMmukPVWw08~akYXhEoN0P1NciYvdULqnZcaYkdqv-gguRCRX6RJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palo Alto","date","2025-09-24T12:49:10.893Z","article","The Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 voted to recommend that the city manager approve changes to Palo Alto’s field-and-court use policy that add a 25% Palo Alto residency requirement for USTA team permits and formalize access for Palo Alto–based youth programs during off‑peak hours.

The commission’s action followed a detailed staff presentation and months of community input, including ad-hoc meetings and a public session on Aug. 26. The policy changes endorsed by the commission also formalize roster verification, cap the percentage of courts a team may reserve at a single site, and set a phased implementation date of Jan. 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting current reservations.

The proposed policy language presented by staff would require USTA rosters submitted with permit requests to include at least 25% Palo Alto residents; rosters would be verified against USTA records before the first match of the season. If multiple teams request the same time and location, priority would go to the team with a higher percentage of Palo Alto residents. Staff also proposed limiting the number of match dates teams may hold and restricting how much of a site (no more than 50% of courts at any location) one team can reserve.

Adam Howard, senior community services manager, told the commission the rules aim to balance demand from organized team play with open, drop-in access for residents. “We’re requiring at least 25% Palo Alto residents on USTA rosters to receive courts,” Howard said during his presentation. He also explained staff’s approach to roster verification and that teams with inaccurate rosters would lose booking privileges for a season and face further penalties for repeat violations.

Public comment featured coaches, youth‑sports operators and players asking the commission to preserve access and to consider how changes would affect scheduling. David Siegel, president of the Palo Alto Pickleball Club, and several tennis captains urged collaboration between user groups. Multiple speakers said they wanted better clarity about how school‑district courts will be managed now that Palo Alto Unified School District has announced plans to manage its own field and court maintenance and bookings beginning Nov. 11.

Commissioners pressed staff for technical clarifications during debate: whether the residency test should apply to adults or youth players; how “match” and “date” are defined; whether the roster verification window should allow last‑minute changes; and what enforcement and appeals would look like. Vice Chair Greenfield asked the staff to explicitly define whether residency applies to adult rosters; staff said they would clarify that in the final language.

Several commissioners urged adjustments to staff’s initial time-limit proposal after public testimony from team captains who said two hours per match can be tight for some USTA formats. The commission ultimately directed staff to incorporate an allowance for longer reservations where justified; the formal motion approved by the commission instructs staff to finalize policy language that reflects the clarifications discussed in the meeting, including permitting match reservations “up to 3 hours” where appropriate.

The motion to forward the revised policy to the city manager passed in a roll call: four commissioners voted yes, one commissioner voted no and one commissioner abstained. Commissioners who voted yes included Commissioner Cripps and Commissioner Wei; Vice Chair Greenfield voted no; Commissioner Dang recorded an abstention during the roll call. Staff will refine the policy text to resolve the clarifications discussed and return the final language to the city manager for adoption and implementation planning.

What changes will mean in practice

If implemented as presented, the policy will require teams to submit rosters and proof of residency when requesting season permits; staff will verify rosters before the first match. Teams will be allowed a limited number of reserved dates (staff proposed five required matches with up to seven dates requested initially, two of which must be released at the season start for scheduling flexibility). The policy keeps the existing limit that teams may reserve no more than 50% of the courts at a single location.

Staff proposed an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, to avoid changing rules midseason. They also said they will monitor implementation, track court usage, and return to the commission after one year to evaluate whether residency thresholds or other elements should be adjusted.

Next steps

Staff will finalize the policy language to incorporate the commission’s clarifications (definitions of match/date, residency scope for adults versus youth, enforcement approach and the allowance for longer match windows). The commission’s recommendation goes to the city manager; if adopted, the policy would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, with implementation monitoring and a one‑year review by the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 voted to recommend that the city manager approve updates to the city’s field-and-court use policy, adding a requirement that USTA team rosters include at least 25% Palo Alto residents and formalizing youth‑program bookings during off‑peak hours.","taxTitle","Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458007,"Turf study finds trade‑offs; staff recommends synthetic turf at very high‑use fields with measures to limit microplastics and PFAS",6957,7889000,14846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b&start=7889&end=14846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b/thumbnail_7889000.jpg","/articles/6458007/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Turf-study-finds-tradeoffs-staff-recommends-synthetic-turf-at-very-highuse-fields-with-measures-to-limit-microplastics-and-PFAS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458007-ab3e306e97cc5d4d5685851643c3b9e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214879&Signature=mUym3xiqDJ~Z9K2SCGNMF-qze3OyGDDk80qhnOt9IQOKhggqaAls~hoSBW2-PKWWOJ0KIq-mkFMoQJO285F-t6kLWUWCPsz-I3TqBwHc~YvAcpx3vJmROVcl3LiikVbuMyNUYYdPByh3x1TRz-GDVOwFeRZMGfpwXLEDw2IHTDMmTfD6xZLuTubhOKIz~2LbO4dJ8m0j7pY6Fz1lgpo1nbBxfi~Kuwa2Z6Paj-lX67J52H005RIz9R08ziGSSq-O85XlqdPgyLNmcsJaDEaixqicbtVL6RKbVChxj~jLJH034jxajT84iWI-ZBNQ6YFV50BbCPXpDmIRbVjrOg1usQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultants presented a draft turf study to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 that compares natural grass, synthetic turf and hybrid field systems and recommends using synthetic turf at very high‑use athletic fields while adopting measures to reduce microplastic migration and PFAS exposure.

The study, prepared by Lloyd Consulting Group and other subject‑matter experts, examined field playability and carrying capacity, life‑cycle costs, environmental and health impacts, maintenance requirements, and local user needs. The study was prepared after the City Council paused a previously budgeted replacement of El Camino Park’s synthetic field and asked staff to analyze environmental health, safety, cost, and playability before proceeding.

Consultants told commissioners that synthetic turf typically supports many more hours of use per year than natural grass. The report used a typical carrying‑capacity comparison (synthetic turf field: roughly 2,000 hours per year versus typical cool‑season natural grass: 400–600 hours per year), which yields a synthetic‑to‑grass equivalency in the range of roughly 3:1 to 4:1 depending on field construction and management. That ratio varies with turf type, soil profile and maintenance intensity.

The study also examined environmental concerns. It concluded the most prominent environmental issues from synthetic fields come from microplastics (crumb rubber or loose infill and fiber fragments) and the potential for PFAS in some turf components. Consultants recommended city policy and procurement language to prioritize reduced‑PFAS products, consider natural (non‑plastic) infills such as cork or walnut, require g‑max testing and establish maintenance best practices (regular grooming and collection of loose material) to limit off‑site migration.

On costs, the study included a 20‑year life‑cycle model. Synthetic turf was shown to have a lower per‑hour cost when fields reach high levels of use, given reduced downtime and greater carrying capacity; natural grass fields show lower capital cost but higher per‑hour cost if heavy use requires repeated renovation, resodding or restricted access. Consultants noted warranties and the practical service life of many synthetic systems are typically 8–12 years; the 20‑year model therefore counts multiple replacement cycles.

Public comment at the meeting reflected a range of views. Youth soccer organizations told commissioners synthetic turf at heavily used fields is essential to meet demand and provide consistent practice and game hours. Environmental advocates and community members urged the city to consider organically managed natural turf fields, to test for PFAS and microplastics, and to seek objective third‑party verification of claims about health impacts.

Commissioner questions focused on: how many hours El Camino’s field actually receives (consultants corrected an overstatement in the draft and told the commission the correct figure is closer to 2,700 annual hours when half‑field bookings are counted as full‑field hours in staff data; recalculating by half‑field reduces that to under 2,000 annual hours), the lifespan and warranty durations of modern turf systems, and whether local recycling options exist for end‑of‑life turf products.

Staff and consultants said the final report will: (1) revise the El Camino use figures, (2) incorporate more case studies and public comments — particularly on organically managed grass fields cited by commenters — (3) recommend procurement specifications to minimize PFAS and microplastic migration, and (4) propose monitoring (annual g‑max testing and maintenance logs) and disposal/recycling language to include in contract documents. The consultants also noted novel “no‑infill” and low‑infill turf products are emerging but are relatively new to North American municipal use and require more field evidence before the city could rely on them.

Next steps

Staff will incorporate public feedback and return the turf study to the commission for action. The report will be sent to city council with staff recommendations after the commission’s vote. If the city proceeds with resurfacing projects, staff said it will propose contract language, maintenance schedules, and procurement standards that prioritize reduced‑PFAS manufacturing and, where feasible, natural infill alternatives.

Community organizations that use fields — including Palo Alto Soccer Club and AYSO — said they will remain engaged as staff prepare final policy and procurement language. The commission requested that the final study include clearer documentation on: (a) the methodology for hours/carrying‑capacity comparisons, (b) the health‑risk testing protocols the city will use, and (c) realistic recycling/disposal pathways for removed turf.","City consultants presented a draft turf study on Sept. 23 concluding synthetic turf supports far higher annual hours of play than most natural grass systems and recommending synthetic turf for the highest‑use city fields — paired with procurement and maintenance rules to limit microplastics and PFAS.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457999,"Cubberley master plan advances: phased design keeps theater and pavilion, adds recreation center, makerspace and public plaza",3579,15238000,18817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b&start=15238&end=18817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b/thumbnail_15238000.jpg","/articles/6457999/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cubberley-master-plan-advances-phased-design-keeps-theater-and-pavilion-adds-recreation-center-makerspace-and-public-plaza","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457999-601f734a0caba790871cb25cd8a72f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214879&Signature=A5tho8NEXtB1zEGjt5REe6De2DOht4Y35Yv0kw32FF~MkRL8q9OrmHJs76LPovbLW-mAoY22C-wAT~AFOwvRmzDOaeaz771pvB3bRmIfRwXZdRcQfsVhylHn4uIx2PWbSjEThbfF-KMSkAt-22s413lWJ3BwsBmjJO6k2axtgULJMOHpvKmbWCJfLDEiKvWMRpAmtgnSvPjFM5AtIxdBLFnm9iACM6xgm~vgn3qzbWZWu939pLPyiBn9QDxhepb-zF5RsGK0fHYEOJBxw5YwsZlGJz~SLlX0DUMFX0hP9c26oNTWjGrTSpO09HmClX~w-Q4OknOCXpavcETSnL~o0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a refined, phased master plan for Cubberley on Sept. 23 that preserves landmark buildings (the pavilion, the theater and the “I” building), creates a new Recreation and Wellness Center and stages additional arts, community services and outdoor amenities across three phases.

Amanda Demel, assistant director for community services, and consultant teams explained the campus‑wide vision and a phasing strategy intended to preserve continuity of services while large‑scale renovation and new construction proceeds. “With a campus of this size, it will be very important for us to phase the master plan for a variety of reasons,” Demel said, noting phasing protects ongoing programs and limits disruption.

What’s in phase 1

Phase 1 — the portion the city is prioritizing for initial funding and potential ballot consideration — would demolish a portion of the campus to make room for a new two‑story Recreation and Wellness Center with four multipurpose courts (configured for basketball/volleyball), fitness and wellness rooms, lockers and administrative space. The existing tennis courts would be rebuilt as an elevated deck above new surface parking. The plan keeps and renovates the pavilion, theater and I Building so those venues remain available during construction.

Phase 1 also anticipates an outdoor pool and campus promenade that links program areas. Staff said the design intentionally keeps program adjacency in mind so performing arts, visual arts and recreation spaces sit in complementary locations.

Phases 2–3: arts, makerspace, community hub

Phase 2 focuses on visual arts and technology: maker spaces, wood and metal workshops, studios and galleries. Phase 3 would add a community cafe, flexible rental spaces for classes and events, a partially buried parking structure with uses above it, an amphitheater and expanded native landscaping with “learning gardens” and pollinator habitat. Staff emphasized the flexibility of the design to adapt to changing program needs years from now.

Community input and concerns

About 150 community members attended the Sept. 17 community meeting. The city reported broad support for the phased approach and for preserving the pavilion and theater, and a common request for a campus cafe, improved circulation and outdoor performance space. Attendees also raised concerns about (a) how tenants are relocated during each phase of construction, (b) overall project cost and how phases will be funded, and (c) parking and pedestrian/bicycle circulation. Several tenant organizations requested more detail about relocation plans and how the city will maintain programming during construction.

Staff response and next steps

Staff said they will return to the commission in November with refined plans and will present the final master plan to City Council on Dec. 8. The project timeline includes additional architectural review, CEQA work and multiple public polls: staff plans to release several community polls during fall 2025–spring 2026 to gauge funding appetite and priorities before any bond measure would appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Design considerations raised by commissioners

Commissioners suggested stronger emphasis on (1) clear definitions for outdoor “green” space versus paved or rooftop recreational areas; (2) transit and protected bike‑lane connections at the site’s edges; (3) tree planting and how above‑grade planters will be engineered; (4) sound and vibration control between adjacent studio spaces; and (5) program adjacency and the cost/market implications for a swimming pool versus nearby private pools. Staff said they will incorporate those design clarifications and provide more detailed relocation plans and a refined phasing/procurement timeline.

What this means for the ballot and funding

Staff is planning multiple polls to collect voter priorities; the project team told the commission that phase 1 is designed to stand alone as a meaningful improvement if a single ballot measure funds only part of the campus. Final decisions on ballot placement and project funding will proceed after the commission and city council reviews and the CEQA process.","City staff presented a three‑phase master plan for Cubberley that keeps the pavilion and theater, builds a two‑story Recreation and Wellness Center in phase 1 and stages maker spaces, a cafe and an amphitheater in later phases while preserving program continuity during construction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458004,"Community gardeners urge city to preserve volunteer funds held in private accounts",2771,643000,3414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b&start=643&end=3414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824375-a34123ffdb15cbe7bca481f777d6e81b/thumbnail_643000.jpg","/articles/6458004/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Community-gardeners-urge-city-to-preserve-volunteer-funds-held-in-private-accounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458004-c4bac07d6272ea339597ca6b2bbba085/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214879&Signature=T7s~5edsBs0p7AueWOLwDynx~8FEr-uUSZdy7GD85bQ8-uh-Jo2xmy4JOhLUIV9XSDW6qFYIEuA-CFS1-l4GamYiLJ-M9odduLXxaACWtOvopnBdw8rqweHeUfVPT0TQ8lwSIqZQQrekUj3akJzsIwKLcXd6GeSai9lM-Qh0cq7mI8q3UIx~QpXUeScO49~v~j20nO4kLa0c7MsWa4INAp4kkd2ktXol93o51N1xqNAYltE2b7z0vImZJGEu553bywgM-3SIHCGwGWVvUDliDQg7HAxNMEBNtFQ2GceG0v~zo7vMXnBqH76oZs~AGN6XItXkbm6XByg1fVJc0HkYsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple community gardeners told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 they were recently informed that small funds collected by garden plots for people who opt not to volunteer would be moved to the city’s Parks and Recreation accounts.

Ishwar Subramanian, who said he gardens at a community plot in Elnor Park, told the commission the garden uses collected fees to buy tools and hire labor for difficult tasks. “We were notified that the funds that we have been collecting from people who opt not to volunteer to do the reading work, and instead pay a fee to an account, we were informed that those funds are now to be handed over to the city parks and recreation,” Subramanian said.

Gardeners described the funds as modest and focused on purchasing wheelbarrows, shovels and paying occasional labor to preserve the garden. “In the past when this was not there, the garden was a mess,” gardener Arnie (Arne) S. told commissioners, and Penny Proctor said the accounts have paid for small emergency repairs and occasional labor costs of “between a hundred and $400 maybe every other month.”

Speakers asked the commission to delay any immediate policy or accounting change and requested staff seek input from gardeners and user groups before changing how those funds are managed. Penny Proctor asked commissioners to “please delay them being put in effect until after you’ve had a chance to, for, to consider it and get input from the gardeners and the public.”

Commissioners asked staff to summarize the situation. Staff said the city’s current guidelines allow a fee‑in‑lieu option for gardeners who cannot perform volunteer work, but the recent issue is that small private bank accounts held by gardens — rather than city‑managed accounts — are being brought to the city’s attention. Sarah Robicelli, division manager for Open Space, Parks and Golf, told commissioners the city’s guidelines provide the option and that city oversight should include “staff being able to have access and also maintain records.”

Robicelli added that staff will need to coordinate internally and follow up with gardeners to propose an approach that keeps volunteer programs functioning while ensuring city oversight of funds. Commissioners asked staff to return with a more detailed staff report that outlines options for (a) city‑held accounts with City oversight, (b) required recordkeeping and transparent reporting to gardeners, or (c) a hybrid arrangement that preserves local control with city auditing.

Why gardeners want retained local funds

Gardeners said the funds have long been used to buy tools and to pay for infrequent tasks that volunteers cannot accomplish, such as heavy labor or replacements for lost deposits. Arnie said when the city previously lost a $200 deposit the group had to repay, the garden created its own funds to ensure continuity of operations.

Next steps

Staff acknowledged the issue and said staff will investigate options and return to the commission with recommendations, including whether to require gardens to move funds into city‑managed accounts with city accounting and oversight, or to create alternative safeguards that preserve gardeners’ ability to manage routine purchases.

No formal policy change was proposed at the Sept. 23 meeting; the commission asked staff to report back with specific options and required controls before any change is implemented.","Gardeners at multiple Palo Alto community gardens told the commission Sept. 23 they were recently told that funds held in garden bank accounts would be moved into city control; gardeners said the accounts pay for tools and occasional labor and asked the city to solicit garden input and delay any change until alternatives and safeguards are vetted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Palo Alto commission backs updated field-and-court rules, adds 25% residency requirement for USTA teams

Turf study finds trade‑offs; staff recommends synthetic turf at very high‑use fields with measures to limit microplastics and PFAS

Cubberley master plan advances: phased design keeps theater and pavilion, adds recreation center, makerspace and public plaza

Community gardeners urge city to preserve volunteer funds held in private accounts