Menlo Park – San Mateo County Parks boasts many jewels: Memorial amid the redwoods, Coyote Point overlooking the bay, Devil’s Slide perched hard on the edge of North America.
Now add Flood Park to the crown.
Flood is poised to become a destination of its own thanks to a multi-year renovation that reimagines the 21-acre site with something for everyone.
How about sand volleyball, pickleball, tennis and basketball courts? Check. Walk, ride or glide under shady oaks? Check.
Play on multi-use fields, take a spin on a pump track and enjoy a leisurely get together at new picnic tables next to custom charcoal barbecues? Let the kids explore (and climb on) fallen trees and hunt for insects among oak woodland? Check.
Check it all out this Saturday, June 7, at the opening of new features and the groundbreaking for a new playground. The free and fun festivities begin at 10 a.m. at 215 Bay Road, Menlo Park.
When construction fencing comes down Saturday, visitors will see the most extensive renovation Flood Park has undergone in 40 years, a major public investment designed to serve residents of Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto.
“As a grandmother who takes a 4-year-old to the park, I know the importance of having a park that is accessible and is inviting to everyone,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, whose District 4 includes Flood Park. “Little kids to teenagers need an inviting place to be able to go outside and play or a place to gather. This is going to be a gathering place for the region.”
San Mateo County Parks Director Nicholas Calderon said, “We set out to create a park where visitors can connect with nature and have a variety of recreational experiences with family and friends. We’re proud of what’s been accomplished in the first phase of renovations and what we’ll provide to the community for generations to come.”
Saturday’s celebration represents a major milestone in Flood Park’s long history as it launches a second phase renovations. This next phase includes a new playground with climbing towers, bridges, multiple slides, zip lines, swings and an area for children ages 2 to 5.
The park renovations are primarily funded from the County’s half-cent Measure K sales tax and general funds, with additional support from Santa Clara County.
Flood Park’s roots stretch back centuries. The land was once inhabited by the Ohlone people before becoming part of an estate owned by James Flood, a 19th century silver baron.
In the 1930s San Mateo County used funds from a special parks tax and opened it as one of the County’s earliest parks.
Long considered ripe for an update, a 2015 assessment revealed that age as many features as well as facilities like picnic tables and restrooms needed repair or replacement. Community demand also grew for additional uses and sports fields.
As a result, San Mateo County Parks launched Reimagine Flood Park, a multi-year community engagement effort to identify priorities for the park’s redesign. The process focused on preserving the historic oak woodland while introducing new uses to better serve the community.
One more reason to visit: with the vehicle fee eliminated, entrance to the park is free and easy.
“There’s a lot that we have to do” to prepare for Saturday’s festivities, Parks ranger Joshua Smith said as he fires up the new grills to burn off any residue. “By doing the best we can to keep them clean, we encourage visitors to use our grills instead of their own, and reduce the risk for fire.”
Carla Schoof
San Mateo County Parks
cschoof@smcgov.org