In an effort to protect the community from COVID-19, the following park amenities are closed:

• All Playgrounds
• Drinking Fountains
• Dog Parks (Opening 6/5/20)
• Picnic Tables, benches and BBQs.

We welcome you to enjoy a walk in a park or an open space preserve while maintaining social distancing of more than 6 feet from persons outside of your household. It is essential that we stop the spread of the virus by not having in-person social interactions.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan - Approved Master Plan

Gamble Garden: Landscape of Optimism

Baylands Comprehensive Conservation Master Plan - Community Input needed

Park Services

Park Services is responsible for the maintenance of 162 developed acres of urban park lands. Individual parks range in size from under two acres to large community parks such as Rinconada Park, Mitchell Park, and Greer Park. In addition to maintaining urban parks, Parks Services is responsible for landscape maintenance of libraries, community centers, business districts and utility sub-stations.

Park Services maintenance programs include the maintenance of landscape plant materials, irrigation systems, turf management, tennis courts, soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, playground equipment, picnic facilities, dog runs, basketball courts, and a lawn bowling green. Park Services also maintains school athletic fields and tennis courts at all elementary and middle school sites.

Hours for City Parks
Per Municipal code 22.04.320

Parks closed, 10:30 p.m. to sunrise.
Except as provided under this code, no person shall use, remain in or enter any park or building between ten-thirty p.m. and sunrise, other than a duly authorized city employee or persons participating in city-sponsored activities or other activities for which the city has provided written permission to utilize a park beyond the closing time, provided however that the closure of specific facilities during portions of the day or the year may be specified by park regulation.

(Ord. 4368 § 2 (part), 1996)

Palo Alto's Open Space

The City of Palo Alto has almost 4,000 acres of open space to explore, recreate and relax in. Whether you are looking for a place to picnic with your family, a site for a wedding, or trails that will help you to escape to nature, there is a broad assortment of open space areas to enjoy!

View the Interactive Parks map.

Parks Search

Open Space, Parks and Golf Administration
Municipal Service Center
3201 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303 
Phone: 650-496-6962
Fax: 650-496-5925 
parks@cityofpaloalto.org

Parks Contract Maintenance
Phone: 650-496-6910

Parks Emergency Irrigation Issues
Phone: 650-496-6918

Community Gardens
Phone: 650-496-6962

Picnic Reservations
Phone: 650-463-4900

Athletic Field Closure Hotline
650-329-2697

Athletic Field and
Tennis Court Reservations
650-463-4905
playingfields@cityofpaloalto.org

Memorial Bench/Adopt-A-Park Inquiries

Park Rules & Regulations

Parks and Recreation Commission
parkrec.commission@cityofpaloalto.org

Donate to the Friends of the Palo Alto Parks:

www.friendsofpaparks.org

Help us learn more about our parks and how we can improve them.

Palo Alto Parks Survey