by Carla Schoof, SMCo Parks Department
For close to 80 years Flood County Park has been considered a neighborhood park to the residents of Menlo Park, south-east Redwood City, East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. It is nestled along the borders of those communities and is rich with history, including once a part of the Flood family estate and a project of the Work Progress Administration in the 1930s. In recent years, Flood Park has been the preferred location for family reunions, milestone celebrations and school and corporate events.
In the 1980s, the Park underwent a modernization process with a focus on facilities that are designed to accommodate visitors with physical limitations. At that time, the design focus, which included play structures, was an example of what could be done to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
It is now time to reimagine Flood Park, to hear and learn from the community about what their dreams are for their park and how new park use and concepts may be incorporated into an overall design.
Take a look at the Reimagine Flood Park project site! You will see an overview of the project. Please take the short survey to share your preferences for the park.
The first meeting was held in Menlo Park on May 20th and over 60 people attended. The next meeting is scheduled for June 23rd at the Fair Oaks Community Center, 2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. The design firm Gates and Associates along with San Mateo County Park staff will guide participants through several idea-gathering and sharing exercises. Translation and child care services will be available on site. On-line surveys will follow the meeting to continue the engagement process. At least one more community meeting will be held sometime in August. Stay tuned!
To receive regular updates about Flood Park redesign and other park information send a request to cschoof@smcgov.org.