Parks and Recreation Commission - December 16, 2025

Baylands tree ordinance advances with added ecological commitments

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the City Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance for potential tree removals at Baylands Athletic Center tied to the 2100 Geng Road housing development. Commissioners added a proposed City commitment to use Baylands-specific replacement species and provide canopy and ecological value equal to or better than the removed trees near the affected area.

The project would replace four office buildings with 145 for-sale townhomes, including 19 below-market-rate units, and requires raising the flood-zone site. A retaining wall along the shared property line could affect up to 45 City-owned blue gum eucalyptus trees. That figure is a maximum, not a final removal count; an updated arborist report submitted with grading plans would identify trees with a low likelihood of survival.

Under City replacement values, 292 replacement trees are required across the project, while the applicant proposes 648 new trees on the development property. For required City-tree replacements, staff described an in-lieu contribution of $1,250 per 24-inch-box tree, allowing the City to select, plant and maintain replacements on or near the Baylands. Bing Wei supported an approach that considers canopy, climate resilience and the survival and maintenance of replacement trees.

Public commenters raised concerns about the broader development’s flood-zone grading, construction emissions, mature-tree loss and airport-influence-area review. Staff will develop language for the added ecological commitment before the ordinance goes to the City Council, which is tentatively expected to consider the project in March 2026.

Cubberley phase one is projected at $392 million as tax options are studied

A council liaison report put the projected cost of Phase One of the long-term Cubberley Community Center effort at about $392 million. Potential tax proceeds discussed at the meeting—about $100 million from a parcel tax or just over $200 million from a general sales tax—would not cover the full estimate. No funding decision was made.

A parcel tax would require approval from two-thirds of voters, while a general sales tax would require a majority. The second of four planned community polls was conducted in November with just over 400 participants and showed support at some funding level, although no detailed result was provided.

Planning and funding work will continue as the remaining polls are conducted. Development impact fees and possible third-party partnerships are also under consideration to help close the projected funding gap.

Mayfield fields reopen; 12 Arastradero eucalyptus are slated for removal

Mayfield’s two fields and practice area reopened Dec. 5 after a turf-replacement project costing roughly $3.2 million. Staff said the work, which began in July, was delivered on time and on budget. Final punch-list work remains, but the fields are open for public use and staff reported positive early feedback from local clubs.

Staff also reported that 12 eucalyptus trees along Arastradero Road are scheduled for removal because of roadway, pedestrian and fire-risk concerns. The work was expected to be completed by the end of January, with one-for-one mitigation planting planned nearby rather than at the removal site.

Aquatics seasons expand, with 878 lesson scholarships reported

An annual aquatics report showed youth group swim lessons expanding from 22 weeks in 2024 to 33 weeks in 2025, while recreational and open swim grew from 16 weeks to 34 weeks. The operator provided 878 swim-lesson scholarships, with participating families paying $5 per 30-minute lesson. The commission heard the report without taking a vote.

The facility recorded 74,234 visits in 2025. From January through October, the operator reported $1,263,073 in total income and a $12,631 revenue share. Eighty-six percent of survey respondents said they were satisfied to extremely satisfied.

The operator plans to offer swim lessons close to year-round in 2026 and reduce summer swim-camp fees. Winter lessons were scheduled to begin Jan. 5, with early-bird summer-camp registration running through the end of March.

Pickleball and tennis court-use recommendation is expected in February

Staff is collecting and analyzing tennis and pickleball court-use data for a comprehensive policy presentation and recommendation expected in February. Commissioners will also receive materials from earlier court-policy discussions. No formal action or policy change occurred at the December meeting.

Staff will examine memorial park request; parks group announces $50,000 donation

A public commenter asked the City to preserve and formalize a memorial park said to have been established in 1974 at Ventura Elementary School, noting that the site may never have received official park status. Staff will investigate the request and work with the commenter on next steps.

Separately, Friends of Palo Alto Parks announced a $50,000 donation to support parks and open-space improvements. Specific project allocations had not been identified.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet