Millbrae public comments split over proposed Hanyu Friendship Garden, council directs continued design work

Hundreds of residents and community volunteers addressed the Millbrae City Council on Sept. 9 over a proposed friendship garden on the Hillcrest spur trail honoring the city—s relationship with Hanyu, Japan.

Supporters told the council the Hanyu Friendship Garden would celebrate a two‑decade relationship, add new public green space and mirror other sister‑city amenities in Millbrae. Opponents said the project was being funded from the city—s impact fee account, urged a more inclusive name, or asked that private donations rather than impact fees pay for the work.

The dispute drew speakers from both sides during the public comment period and multiple advisory commissions. Jean Wong, a longtime resident and chair of the Sister Cities Committee, urged the council to approve the garden and said it would —reaffirm Millbrae—s commitment to sharing and celebrating different cultures.— Other residents, including Nien Hua Cheng and Jennifer Chang, said they supported a more broadly themed —Millbrae— or —Unity— garden that would represent the city—s many communities. At least one speaker said she had collected about 400 petition signatures asking for a name change.

City staff said the project has moved through the Sister Cities Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission and that further design work will continue at the direction of council. City Manager Tom Williams told the council the project would be brought back to the council as design evolves. No final vote on construction or naming was taken at the Sept. 9 meeting.

Speakers on both sides raised funding questions and process concerns. Several commenters said the proposed funding source was —impact fee— or —developer fee— funds — money intended for park and recreation infrastructure — and said the council should make clear how those fees would be spent and whether private donations could instead cover the garden. Others pointed to the project—s multi‑year planning and the Parks and Recreation Commission—s unanimous recommendation in prior meetings.

Multiple speakers requested more community outreach and a public forum or survey to decide the name and final features. Parks and Recreation and Sister Cities commissioners who spoke said the plan had been vetted at advisory meetings; at least one parks commissioner later asked for more public input after residents raised objections. Council members and staff repeatedly emphasized the need to follow the city—s public‑engagement process and noted prior council direction to continue design work.

The council did not approve construction or a final name on Sept. 9. The city manager said staff will continue design work and return to council with updated plans and community‑engagement steps. Timing and final project budget were not specified at the meeting.

Members of the public and the council also discussed related site issues, including trees along the spur trail and whether the garden should include cherry trees, multilingual signage and programming for youth and seniors.

The council—s next steps, as described at the meeting, include continued design work, a forthcoming memorandum of understanding for any funding responsibilities and future public outreach led by Parks and Recreation staff. Staff said a community engagement process similar to previous Millbrae park projects would be used when the design and budget are ready for council consideration.