City approves $178,000 summer park activation program to expand free youth and family programming

The council voted to authorize the city manager to award contracts totaling up to $178,000 to 11 community providers for the 2025 Summer Park Activation series, including organizations such as Bay Area Urban Eagles, Camp Doza, East Palo Alto Razorbacks, Lewis & Joan Platt YMCA and others. The recommendation breaks awards into three tiers (up to $12,000, $16,000 and $18,000) and ties payments to deliverables in three installments (prior to programming, mid-programming on enrollment/registration, and at program completion with surveys and participation reports).

"The first payment will be distributed prior to programming starting to get our vendors some money up front to help with initial costs," recreation program coordinator Vincent Amelio said, explaining the new deliverable-based payment plan. Staff said the programs are intended to be free for residents, run across an eight-week season from early June through mid-August, and include activities aimed at youth, seniors and families such as sports camps, technology pop-ups, swim and safety instruction, and family days.

Council members asked about outreach, the scoring rubric used to evaluate applications, program duration and how to ensure West Side residents can access programs; staff said they maintain a CBO contact list and an open NOFA process, will provide the rubric to council, and noted some transportation strategies can be arranged by providers subject to insurance and contracting requirements. The motion to adopt the recommended awards carried on roll call.