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Sunnyvale residents urge preserving Las Palmas Park as multiuse open space; suggest Baylands for new sports fields
Summary
Speakers at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting urged the city to preserve Las Palmas Park’s open, multiuse character, questioned outreach and data behind proposed renovations, and suggested routing new regional sports fields (including cricket) to Baylands; one speaker cited a deed covenant he said prohibits a dedicated cricket pitch.
Residents, neighborhood advocates and park users pressed the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission on July 1 to keep Las Palmas Park an open, multiuse space and to move proposals for large, structured sports fields to the Baylands.
Paula Jinbo, speaking for a grassroots “Save Las Palmas” group she said represents more than 1,200 park users, told commissioners the previous outreach “went badly” and left the community frustrated. She urged the city to base decisions on verified user data and to prioritize maintaining the park’s open, flexible nature rather than converting large areas to reservable fields: “Let’s route those regional, sports fields to Baylands, and then together, we can upgrade Las Palmas Park while keeping the open and flexible nature that everybody loves so much,” she said.
Angie Hinson, representing Las Palmas Green and Serene, framed her remarks in local policy language and told commissioners the park design must balance active and passive recreation. Citing Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 9.62.0.010 and Sunnyvale General Plan policy CC‑110.1, Hinson said proposed fencing and lighting would “strip away passive enjoyment” and asked the commission to support the community’s preferred survey option to preserve multiuse space.
Other speakers asked the city to study actual, informal park use before adopting design choices that could preclude spontaneous activities. Darryl Jamgochin recommended that the city expand the turf study and add a decision‑point that specifically asks whether proposed restrictions associated with artificial turf and fencing would exclude current users who walk dogs, picnic or play informally.
At least one public commenter, identified as AJ, asked staff to review property deed language and covenants for Las Palmas, saying his review of the deed suggested the land was conveyed with a covenant limiting use to “an open field used for everybody, not a specific sport,” and that the covenant “does not allow a cricket pitch.” That assertion was presented as a call to examine the legal documents before moving forward; staff did not provide an immediate legal response during public comment.
Deputy Director of Public Works Jim Stark told the commission that a new round of public outreach for Las Palmas is slated to begin in late August and that the city intends to run a robust program of focus groups and meetings to address concerns about access and design. The commission did not take action on the project during the study session; staff said the process will restart with expanded outreach.
What’s next: Staff told the commission the next round of public input on Las Palmas is expected in late August; any design changes would follow additional outreach and analysis of park usage data and legal constraints.
