The Almanac
February 22, 2006

Guest Opinion: Vision for downtown, and for bay views

At their February 7 meeting, the Menlo Park City Council unanimously endorsed a new vision for El Camino Real.

This vote was noteworthy as the oft-divided council found ideological common ground. The council should, likewise, unanimously support the unique role that Bayfront Park - Menlo Park's only open space park - will have in the rebirth of the city's shoreline, reaping great public benefits from the restoration of the South Bay's salt ponds.

El Camino Real (the King's Highway in Spanish) began as a 600-mile footpath linking California's missions from San Diego to Sonoma. In contrast to those historic beginnings, much of El Camino is now made up of shabby strip malls, auto malls, parking lots, and take-out restaurants, hardly a shining example of "progress." The automobile has overwhelmed the place.

A new initiative envisions El Camino as "The Grand Boulevard" with new shops, affordable housing near convenient public transportation, community services, parks and active public spaces. The unique identity and history of each town or city would be celebrated while linking with its neighbors and realizing its potential for becoming an attractive, valued place.

Menlo Park now has a golden opportunity to guide the future of several key vacant or underutilized parcels along El Camino and ensure that new development is inviting, attractive, pedestrian friendly, and provides public benefits.

While moving forward to revitalize Menlo Park's transportation and business artery, the City Council majority should drop their ill-advised pursuit of an executive golf course at Bayfront Park and reaffirm the park's exceptional value as public open space accessible to all.

Originally baylands and salt marsh, Bayfront's prominent hills were created out of trash. In order to gain approval from agencies dedicated to protecting our baylands, in 19xx? Menlo Park committed to create:

"A hilly, bayview, regional park with natural groundcover, wildlife enhancement and passive use, providing public access to the Bay and an opportunity for people to enjoy peace and quiet" after completion of the landfill."

Menlo Park's open space promise at Bayfront Park is now enjoyed by people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Walking its eight miles of trails, you will hear many languages spoken in addition to the universal language of children's laughter. There are breathtaking views of the adjacent Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge; on a clear day you can see seven counties.

An executive golf course, driving range, clubhouse, and associated parking would consume the heart of the park and leave mere scraps around the edges. Filling the tidal pond for ballfields is not a feasible idea, either. There are other ways for the city to pay for the park's small annual maintenance costs when its sinking fund is depleted several years from now.

As the exciting and ambitious project to restore the South Bay's former salt ponds to baylands becomes a reality, Bayfront Park's hills and vistas will provide a unique opportunity for public enjoyment of this incredible resource in our front yard- San Francisco Bay.

The entire City Council should embrace the Grand Bayfront vision, just as they have embraced the Grand Boulevard.

Lennie Roberts, legislative advocate
Committee for Green Foothills

Melissa Hippard, chapter director
Loma Prieta Chapter, Sierra Club

Eileen McLaughlin, project director
Wildlife Stewards

Michele Beasley, field representative
Greenbelt Alliance

Page last updated September 13, 2010.