Los Altos park commission approves 2026 work plan after debate over environmental priorities and park expansion

The Los Altos City Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved its draft 2026 work plan on Jan. 20, 2026, after extended discussion about whether to add explicit environmental language and how to treat expansion or acquisition of new park space.

The vote followed public comment from Maria Batista, who urged the commission to prioritize community input and to favor natural materials in playground design. "One of my favorites is tunnel tops in San Francisco, which use all natural materials," Batista said, urging greater coordination with the Environmental Commission and active involvement by the Park Commission in upcoming park renovations.

Staff described the draft as a consolidation of ideas from previous meetings and said the commission should finalize it for a joint meeting with the City Council. Director Hernandez said the joint presentation was rescheduled from Feb. 10 to Feb. 24, 2026, and cautioned commissioners to prepare concise remarks: "You will have approximately at least as of last year 15 minutes to speak with council," Hernandez said, adding that council members may ask targeted questions and may ask for modest edits.

Commissioners spent the bulk of the meeting refining objective language. After debate, they settled on wording that directs the commission to "identify projects that can expand parks and the use and appreciation of existing parks" while noting the "potential for added park space." Commissioners discussed whether to require the commission to partner with specific other commissions or instead to "consult appropriate commissions per project"; the group chose the latter approach so staff can coordinate consultation where relevant.

Several commissioners volunteered as point persons for specific projects (public art partnerships, summer concert tabling, outreach at the farmers market and evaluation of public-art maintenance needs), with staff noting point persons serve as coordinators supported by departmental staff. Staff will finalize timelines and anticipated completion dates and transmit the approved work plan to the city clerk for City Council distribution.

The final roll-call vote on the work plan recorded affirmative votes from Chair Morris, Vice Chair White, Commissioner Stout, Commissioner Sangani, Commissioner Dolich and Commissioner McDonald. The commission will present the plan at the Feb. 24 joint meeting with the council.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.