What type of park is Las Palmas Park?
Las Palmas Park is designated as a Community Park, meaning it is intended to serve residents citywide and include a broader range of amenities than smaller neighborhood parks. The City’s Community Parks include: De Anza Park, Fair Oaks Park, Lakewood Park, Las Palmas Park, Ortega Park, Ponderosa Park, Raynor Park, Serra Park, and Washington Park.
Will the park become a dedicated cricket facility?
No.
None of the design concepts would convert Las Palmas Park into a single-sport facility. All proposed fields are flexible, multi-use, supporting activities including but not limited to soccer, softball, volleyball, and cricket.
Will the field be open to the public or by reservation only?
The field will be open to the public. Reservations are only required if a group wants exclusive use of the space. If there is no reservation, the space is open for anyone to use. This system applies to all of our parks with reservable fields.
Is the City installing artificial turf?
No.
None of the concept plans shown for this renovation project have included artificial turf. The field will remain natural grass.
Has the City decided to install field lighting?
No.
Field lighting is included in one concept only and is still under consideration. No decisions have been made.
Will field and tennis court lights be turned on every night until 10 p.m.?
At parks with field lights, the lights are only operational during the time specified for a field reservation. Renters are responsible for turning the lights on and off. The lights shut off automatically when the park closes. Tennis courts outside the Tennis Center do not require reservations and users can turn on the court lights. The lights are on a timer and automatically shut off every hour or when the tennis courts close.
Will there be tall fencing or sports netting?
Not decided.
Where shown, fencing or netting is proposed for safety, particularly near active play areas close to walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas. This element is still under evaluation.
Will netting prevent access to the field?
The proposed netting would not be locked and would have multiple openings to enter and exit.
Why are these features being considered at all?
The design concepts reflect community input from multiple sources, including:
- A 2024 citywide parks and athletics survey (nearly 4,000 total responses)
- Community meetings, surveys, and on-site outreach specific to Las Palmas Park
This input identified a need for improved recreation amenities, including flexible, multi-use spaces.
What is the difference between the two design concepts?
Both concepts include:
- Recreation building and restroom improvements
- Upgraded picnic areas
- Renovated sports fields and lawn space
- A smaller pond with more open space and shade
Concept 1 includes:
- Field lighting
- Additional walking paths
- Games and exercise equipment
- Tennis courts (with lights)
- Multi-use field including cricket pitch
Concept 2 includes:
- An additional restroom
- A water play feature
Has the City approved a final design?
No.
The City Council will select a preferred design after additional community input. A public hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Will there be more opportunities for public input?
Yes.
The City is planning additional outreach this summer and is hiring a professional facilitator to support more effective and inclusive community engagement.
What happened at the March 2026 community meeting?
We recognize the meeting did not meet expectations.
- The format and tools (including live polling) were not as effective as intended.
- We heard the concerns raised by attendees.
- We are improving future engagement and allowing more time for input.
Were the live poll results a final vote on the project?
No.
Results from surveys and live polls were informational only. A final decision has not been made.
Could people submit multiple poll responses?
Both the survey and live polling software are designed to limit duplicate responses by device or IP address even when responding anonymously. Users attempting to respond more than once from the same device or IP address are prompted to review their original response.
Do the design concept labels indicate a preferred option?
No.
Labels (letters or numbers) are arbitrary and do not reflect priority or a recommended design.
What environmental review will be done?
The project is still in the conceptual phase.
Environmental review (under CEQA) will occur after a preferred design is selected and a project description is finalized.
Will traffic and parking be addressed?
Yes.
- A traffic calming project is underway on Hyde Park Drive between Rubis Drive and Spinosa Drive.
- Parking needs will be evaluated as part of the design process.
