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Palo Alto parks report: holiday events, volunteer plantings and Baylands flooding response
Summary
Community Services staff summarized recent events and projects, including a well‑attended pumpkin event, Veterans Day partnership with Stanford, holiday tree lighting, volunteer plantings at Fred Eyerly Tower Well Park, dog‑park renovations at Mitchell and an emergency response and repairs after substantial Baylands flooding.
Community Services staff updated the commission Dec. 18 on recent parks events, projects and staffing changes, detailing volunteer efforts, playground and restroom installations and an emergency response after an unusual high tide and storm flooded portions of the Baylands.
Events and volunteers: staff highlighted a Jack O’Jaunt pumpkin event at Litton Plaza that drew more than 300 attendees and strong youth involvement, and a Veterans Day recognition in partnership with Stanford University at MacArthur Park. A holiday tree lighting at Litton Plaza was also well attended.
Volunteers planted more than 150 native plants at Fred Eyerly Tower Well Park in one three‑hour volunteer day organized with Salesforce, staff said. Mitchell Dog Park work is underway: staff graded areas, planted 13 native trees, added decomposed granite surfacing, and installed fencing; staff expects the dog‑park renovation to finish in January 2025.
Park facilities: Bulwer Park artwork was installed and staff said construction is scheduled for completion spring 2025. A Coverley restroom module was slated for delivery Dec. 19, with a phased installation and sewer connection expected to take a few additional months; staff estimated a two‑to‑three‑month closure of some Coverley fields for related work.
Baylands flooding response: Steve Castillo, assistant director for Community Services, described a high tide/major storm event on Dec. 14 that overtopped levees and flooded numerous Baylands trails and boardwalks. Staff and rangers evacuated a few stranded visitors, sandbagged in advance of the tide and, after the water receded, inspected and repaired levee and trail damage and completed facility checks. Castillo said repairs were completed and the park reopened the following day; design and permitting for more permanent levee repairs and sluice‑gate work are planned (staff will pursue permits with environmental agencies before contracting for longer‑term repairs).
Staffing and other matters: staff announced current staffing vacancies for a park maintenance worker, an inspector of field services and an upcoming recreation coordinator vacancy (Javad’s position). Staff thanked Javad for seven years with the city and two years serving with the commission; commissioners offered public appreciation.
Other updates: staff said they are continuing work on a draft long‑term term sheet for a First Tee partnership and working on golf course mitigation; purchasing for the Mayfield turf replacement and an RFP for a soccer‑field study were discussed, with staff anticipating the RFP item to go to council Jan. 13 for approval.
Ending: staff told the commission that much of the project detail is in the full packet and that they will bring additional detail to future meetings when available.
