Quick Win Park Projects

Overview

City Council has approved funding for several park and facility improvements that reflect priorities identified by our community. Following the completion of East Palo Alto's first-ever Parks Master Plan in 2023, residents shared a vision for safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant public spaces.

These investments are an important step toward bringing that vision to life. While some improvements are large-scale capital projects that will take time to plan and complete, we are actively moving forward with projects that can be implemented now. Together, these efforts will enhance our parks and facilities and continue creating spaces where residents of all ages can gather, play, learn, and connect.

Below is a list of projects that City Council has prioritized for implementation during Fiscal Year 2025–26.

Park Projects 

Scoreboard Replacements 

(Timeline: Spring 2026)

Updating the scoreboard systems at Jack Farrell and Martin Luther King Jr. parks will allow our current sports programs and all others access to functioning systems so that they can have invite other leagues and host games the way that they should be. We will also be updating the scoreboards so that more sports can benefit. 

Cooley Landing A/V Upgrades

(Timeline: Spring 2026)

Cooley Landing was originally intended to only be an Educational Center for others to learn about the surrounding environment and how it has adapted. Currently, it is being used for that and a space for community members to celebrate moments together. 

Park Lighting 

(Timeline Winter 2026)

The city is making a significant investment to ensure our residents have adequate lighting. There will be a Citywide Lighting project taking place under the lead of the Engineering Division and this will also include an independent look at all of the parks to address safety concerns and visibility. 

Pilot Dog Park 

(Timeline Winter 2026)

There has a prolonged community desire for a space that the community can congregate with the beloved furry family/friends. The city will be launching a pilot space for residents to bring the dogs at Martin Luther King Junior Park. Based on how this space is used, we will seek community feedback on if it should be a permanent structure.

Sports Lighting @ MLK Jr. 

(Timeline Winter 2026)

We will be installing sport lighting at our flagship recreational park as a part of the larger Martin Luther King Junior Park Specific Design Plan (see HERE). In order to provide the opportunity for additional programming at this park sooner rather than later, City Council saw fit to upgrade this amenity this year to benefit our existing programs and all residents.