Open‑space rangers report 1,000,000+ annual visits, staffing limits and expanded wildfire mitigation
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Summary
Open‑space supervisors reported just over 1,000,000 visits in 2025, revenue of about $390,000, expenses of $3.3 million, limited ranger staffing (two supervisors, six full‑time rangers) and ongoing fire‑fuel mitigation work covering roughly 485 acres per year.
Supervising Park Ranger Michael Warner and supervising ranger Lisa Myers presented the 2025 open‑space annual update on Feb. 24.
Warner reported total visits to Palo Alto open space preserves in 2025 of just over 1,000,000, with the Baylands receiving the most visits (around 500,000) and Foothills Nature Preserve receiving just under 300,000 visits (about 102,000 vehicles). The open‑space division reported roughly $390,000 in revenue in 2025 and expenses near $3,300,000, driven largely by utilities and personnel costs.
Ranger operations and safety were a focus. Warner said the rangers responded to 173 calls for service in 2025, including 36 medical calls, three suicidal attempts, vegetation and vehicle fires, an aircraft crash, and other incidents. Enforcement figures included 36 citations, 246 written warnings and 210 parking citations (mostly for nonpayment at Foothills).
Warner described equipment and staffing changes: a small electrification effort (15 vehicles with about 13% electric), rental of a remote controlled forestry mulcher used on Page Mill fuel‑break work, and an electric‑assist mountain bike used for patrols that logged 700 miles. He summarized annual fire‑fuel management of about 485 acres and a December 2025 removal of 12 eucalyptus trees along a preserve road to reduce fire risk. Warner said rangers are trained in search and rescue, medical response and wildland fire roles.
Warner also described large‑event planning lessons from the Perseids meteor shower and other peak visitation events, noting success when nearby lots were opened to reduce roadway parking and that mutual aid for park rangers is limited. Commissioners discussed volunteer options and funding constraints; staff said prior volunteer programs have been inconsistent and that the most reliable remedy is additional paid staffing, but budget pressures make new hires difficult without external funding.
Warner and Myers said many operational efforts rely on partnerships with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Palo Alto Fire and Police departments, and environmental volunteers. No commission motion or vote was taken on the update.