Palo Alto parks staff preview tree lighting, toy drive and update Mayfield turf progress

City staff delivered a monthly departmental update, highlighting upcoming holiday and community events and several active capital projects.

Events: Sarah Robustelli, division manager for Open Space, Parks and Golf, asked commissioners to note the Litton Plaza tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 5 (5:30–7 p.m.), and detailed an ongoing toy drive through Dec. 14 accepting unwrapped toys, books and gift cards at Mitchell Park Community Center, Lucy Stern Community Center, Palo Alto libraries and fire stations.

Event recaps: Staff reported the 41st annual Moonlight Run (Oct. 3) drew approximately 1,600–1,700 participants; Petpalooza was held on Cal Ave. and drew roughly 150 attendees with 30 animal entrants; and the Jack O’Jaunt pumpkin carving and display attracted hundreds of visitors.

Capital projects: Coverly — staff said the Coverly gym project is advancing; community polling continues and staff expects to return with a preferred concept. Mayfield (Stanford Palo Alto Community Plainfields) — installation is underway, with the north field complete and sand/cork infill ongoing; PFAS testing and replacement of safety netting and goals are scheduled and staff expects completion in December. Valley Water tide-gate seismic retrofit work is underway in the Palo Alto flood basin with construction extending into the next season and public outreach via Nextdoor and on-site signage ongoing. Public Works completed paving at Baylands Golf Links maintenance yard and will pave the service road.

Staff offered to answer commissioner questions and took direction on outreach and timing for community polling and future project presentations.