Support the Los Altos Hills Open Space Initiative
Posted October 1, 2002 / Updated September 12, 2010

The Committee for Green Foothills supports the Los Altos Hills Open Space Initiative.

NEWS FLASH: The Town Council voted unanimously on December 17, 2002 to adopt the initiative! Read more...

Purpose of the Initiative
The purpose of this initiative measure is to assure the long-term preservation of Town-owned open space and recreational properties. The unique character of the Town of Los Altos Hills and the quality of life of its residents depend on protecting the significant environmental, aesthetic, scenic, and recreational benefits that these lands provide to the community.

Indeed, the existing General Plan of Los Altos Hills states:

"All residential areas should have public land available for recreation within approximately one-half to one mile distances. Th(is) requirement... may be met by open space preserve land in public ownership and public recreation areas."

The combined 157 acres, approximately, of Byrne Preserve, Juan Prado Mesa Preserve, the O’Keefe Property, Murietta Ridge, Rhus Ridge Properties, Little League Fields, Westwind Community Barn and its facilities, and Edith Park constitute some of the most valued land in the Town and are critical to preserving this mandate.

In addition, requiring a vote of the people before any proposed redesignation, sale, abandonment, or other disposition of these parcels, would give the electorate an opportunity to act as good stewards of these resources for future generations.

What you can do

1. Become informed.
Find out more details about the future of Los Altos Hills open space. Visit the Los Altos Hills Open Space website.

2. Sign the petition to qualify the Los Altos Hills Citizens' Initiative for Open Space for the ballot.

3. Let the Town Council know that you want them to adopt the Citizens' Initiative and provide real open space protections without a special election.
Mr. Bob Fenwick, Mayor - rbfenwick@aol.com
Ms. Emily Cheng, Mayor Pro Tem - emily888@pacbell.net
Ms. Toni Casey - tonicasey@aol.com
Mr. Steve Finn - sfinn@trustamerica.com
Mr. Mike O'Malley - cheval650@msn.com

3. Write a Letter to the Editor.
San Jose Mercury News - Fax (408) 271-3792 - letters@sjmercury.com
Los Altos Town Crier - Fax (650) 948-6647 - bruceb@latc.com
Palo Alto Weekly - Fax (650) 326-3928 - letters@paweekly.com
Palo Alto Daily News - Fax (650) 327-0676 - editorial@paloaltodailynews.com

4. Get more involved.
Contact:
Nancy Couperus - (650) 941-4808 - couperus@mindspring.com
Val Metcalfe - (650) 941-7481 - metcalfes@worldnet.att.net