San Mateo parks survey: 660 respond; shade, water stations and restrooms top requests

City of San Mateo parks staff presented results of the department’s annual parks survey at the Park & Recreation Commission meeting on Sept. 3, reporting responses from 660 participants and identifying shade, water bottle filling stations and restrooms as top priorities.

Kevin Kobayashi, golf services manager presenting the survey, said, “we had 660 respondents” to the March–June questionnaire and described the top three parks visited as Central Park, Beresford and Seal Point. He summarized key usage and sentiment data: 81% of respondents visit parks once or twice a week or almost daily; 95% agreed that San Mateo parks play an important role in their lives; and roughly 85% agreed parks meet their physical access needs.

Survey respondents identified walking paths, open grass space and playgrounds as the most-used amenities; top requested improvements were shade structures (47% of respondents) and water bottle filling stations (44%). Restrooms and dog off‑leash areas were also frequently requested. Kevin said staff are balancing long‑term, ecological options (tree planting) with short‑term shade solutions and noted the department planted 100 trees in parks this year.

On safety, Kevin said 87% of respondents said they feel safe in San Mateo parks. The open‑ended responses most commonly cited concerns about alcohol and drug use, an increase in people experiencing homelessness in parks, and dogs off leash. Kevin noted the ranger program’s coordination with the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team: “We do work with our rangers, work with our, HOT team, which is our, homeless outreach team that is, part of our police department.” He added that the department has expanded ranger visibility and added equipment, such as an additional ranger vehicle and new park cameras intended to deter vandalism.

Survey demographics showed most respondents completed the survey in English; Spanish translation was available and staff said they will consider broader language outreach if future responses indicate need. Commissioners asked whether the sample mirrored city demographics and whether the survey could include more granular questions — for example, a separate count for visitors to the Japanese Garden in Central Park — and staff said they can analyze raw survey data for correlations and consider adding targeted questions in future surveys.

Recreation interests surfaced in the open responses: pickleball demand remains high and respondents requested more dog space downtown. Kevin said the survey results guide priorities for capital and maintenance work — for example, playground replacements at East Hillsdale and Central Park, replacement parts at Sunnybrae, and a new water station at Sunnybrae — and inform communication with neighbors about construction impacts. He closed by noting the department will present the facilities condition assessment to City Council at a study session scheduled for Oct. 20.

The presentation received questions from multiple commissioners about outreach to non‑English speakers, accessibility for people with mobility limitations and the feasibility of more inclusive park pathways; staff said they are prioritizing concrete pathways and ADA considerations when budgets permit.