Tag: places to go

Places to Chill – It’s HOT Outside!

Stafford Park water feature

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It. Is. HOT. It’s not even summer yet and we are scrambling for ways to beat the heat!  Herkner Pool won’t be open until June 17th- when our Summer staff is hired, trained, and of course, out of school, but in the meantime, we have plenty of other places to go and “chill.”

Stafford Park Snail

1. Stafford Park

King St./Hopkins Ave. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.

It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Tot lot, Picnic Area, Grass Play Area, BBQs and Restrooms

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2. Andrew Spinas Park

2nd Ave./Bay Road (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Picnic Area, Play Area, Basketball Court, Lit Tennis Court and Restrooms

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Fleishman Park Water Feature

3. Fleishman Park

Locust St. / McEvoy St. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Picnic Area, Play Area, BBQs and Restrooms

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Maddux Park Frogs

4. Maddux Park

Maddux Dr./Kensington Rd. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Tot Lot, Picnic Area, Restrooms & nice, Grass Play Area.

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Stulsaft Water Play

5. Stulsaft Park

3737 Farm Hill Blvd. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Hiking Trails & Creek, Playground, Tot Lot, Picnic Area, BBQ pits, Soccer Field & Restrooms

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Camp FairAlso, don’t miss our Parks Alive! Camp Fair! (click for info) tomorrow (5/4) at Red Morton Community Center from 1:00-4:00pm!

Meet our camp providers, ask as many questions as you desire, and let your kids play in our inflatable play area or get acquainted with the staff by experiencing some of the hands-on activities available for them to try.

Meet Camp Directors from: Camp Kaboom, Camp Whatchamacalit, Camp Polliwog, Junior & Mighty Mountaineers, Explorers, High-5. In addition, these camp vendors will also be available to answer your questions: Mad Science, Skyhawks Sports Camps, Celebrate Art!, Play-well Teknologies, Freshi Media, San Carlos Children’s Theater, Bayshore Elite Gymnastics.

Why did I include this in our cooling off post? Well, we have air-conditioning!

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Visit our website for more information about Summer Swim at  Herkner Pool, located at 1315 Madison Avenue in Red Morton Park,  Click here for information about our 2013 Aquatics program!


Spring Beauty in Redwood City – Photos

Have you taken your walk today? I needed some fresh air and decided to step out of my office at the Community Activities Building.  I was immediately captivated by all of the beautiful colors surrounding Red Morton Park, so much so, that I was compelled to snap some photos and share them with you!

These cheerful blooms are the work of our talented Landscape Team who continue to amaze us with their wonderful upkeep of our Parks, Planters, Medians, you name it!  In addition to being great at what they do, they are more than happy to share their knowledge with you. If you have any questions about something they are working on, or are just wondering why your Rhododendrons are not flourishing like ours, just ask!

By the way, the Rose Garden adjacent to the Community Activities Building is about to explode with blooms!  Make sure to add it to your walking route in the near future.

Lastly, are you snap-happy with your cell phone? Make sure to follow us on Instagram @rwcparks. Hashtag your shots with #rwcparks or mention us in your posts so we can see what you see.

Get Moving! It’s National Walking Day!

jen_route

We had 25 people – including some of our City Staff, members from our Senior Walking Club, Parents, Children, and one dog (Awww), show up to walk with us today to commemorate the American Heart Association‘s National Walking Day! This crew was lead by our fitness enthusiast Intern, Jennifer Schultz, on a stroll through our lovely Red Morton Park!  Thank you to those who came out to make their commitment to health with us on this somewhat brisk and foggy Bay Area morning!

You too can improve your health, wellness and reduce risk factors by walking just 30 minutes a day! Walking is probably the easiest physical activity to achieve, and can be a great way to socialize (face-to-face!). You don’t need expensive equipment, you don’t have to pay for a membership, and you can just step out the front door and get started! No excuses!

Our nation is becoming more sedentary by the minute. We are spending more time at work than ever before, as well as many of us are glued to our electronic devices (guilty!). The American Heart Association states that these increased levels of inactivity can double our risk of heart disease!

Here are some of the consequences per the American Heart Association: [1]

  • More of us are overweight.
    Adult (and childhood) obesity/overweight level continues to increase: 65% of all Adults are obese or overweight.
  • It is more difficult today to create an active lifestyle.
    People are less active due to technology and better mass transportation; Sedentary jobs have increased 83% since 1950; Physically active jobs now make up only about 25% of our workforce. That is 50% less than 1950.
    Our average work week is longer. Americans work 47 hours a week – 164 more hours a year than 20 years ago.
  • Extra weight costs us physically and financially.
    Obesity costs American companies $225.8B per year in health-related productivity losses.
    The average healthcare cost exceeds $3,000 per person annually. An obese employee costs employer additional $460 to $2,500 in medical costs and sick days per year.

As you age, your body is slowly wearing down, and without physical activity, this process is accelerated. Did you know that for each hour you exercise, you can gain about 2 hours of additional life expectancy? [2] Sounds like a good deal to us! Also, exercise greatly improves your quality of life, positively effecting: circulation, weight, blood pressure, mental health, self-image, strength, bone loss, heart disease, you name it! The benefits are endless. Do you need more reasons? Click here.

Lastly, we have so many ways for you to get moving in Redwood City! We have Fitness Classes, a Drop-In Fitness Center, and Open Gym times to name a few. In addition, here is a list of parks with trails in our immediate area that will help you to ignite your walking addiction!

1. Stulsaft Park

2. Red Morton Park

3. Edgewood Park

4. Huddart Park

5. Wunderlich Park

6. Redwood Shores – part of the Sand Francisco Bay Trail

Did we not list your favorite place? Where do you like to walk? Let us know in the comments!

1. American Heart Association: The Price of Inactivity
2. American Heart Association: Physical Activity Improves Your Quality of Life

It’s GO Skateboarding Day!

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It’s Go Skateboarding Day!

Every year on June 21, skateboarders around the world drop everything to embark on one of the most popular sports around, and  go skateboarding!

Redwood City loves skateboarding and loves our local riders. Here are some quick facts about our Skate Park:

  • Our skatepark was designed with the help of our local skateboarding community.
  • Phil Shao Memorial Skatepark was named after local pro-skating legend, Phil Shao. Phil was raised in Redwood City, a graduate of UC Berkeley and a mentor to many young skaters in the area.
  • Just before Phil’s untimely death, at the hands of a drunk driver, he was named as the next editor of  Thrasher Magazine.
  • Thrasher Magazine rated our skatepark an 8.5 out of 10 – not too shabby!
  • We offer Skateboarding lessons & camps!
  • Hours of operation: dawn to dusk; except when the sport lights are on, when the skate park closes at 10:00 pm (same hours as the entire park).

Skate Camps & Programs!

Coincidentally, we happen to have Skateboarding Camp running this week! We planned that…right?  Society Skate Shop has provided us with their awesome instruction for several years now, and this summer is no exception! Kids have been shredding, ollying, dropping-in and kick-flipping since Monday of this week!  Do you have a little X-Gamer in the making that would have enjoyed this camp? Have no fear! We have 3 more weeks of camp, with openings, that you can sign up for! Click here to get started!

Check out our slideshow above! Many of these kids had NO BOARDING EXPERIENCE and are already skating in the bowl! Plus, Society Skate Shop will give registered participants 10% off at the shop to get them hooked-up with safety gear!

So drop everything, grab your board (helmet & pads too) and hit the Skatepark today, in honor of “Go Skateboarding Day!“

Music in the Parks = SUMMER’S HERE!

Before we had the Community Living Room – a.k.a Courthouse Square, we had our Parks. The Stafford Park Concert Series always signified the beginning of Summer to me and many of our supportive Mt. Carmel neighbors. What’s better than sitting outside and listening to music, a picnic dinner, meeting your neighbors, having a safe place for your kids to play, all while soaking up some of the best weather in the world? NOT MUCH! And yes, I said it…THE WORLD!

Music in the ParkThis fantastic community event, now known as Music in the Park, begins tonight (6/20) from 6:00-8:00pm at Stafford Park. We’ll open the series with Sinister Dexter, a “ten-piece soul machine that brings the unique sound of the great funk horn bands!” So bring your family, a picnic dinner – or cash for the Optimist Hot Dog & Hamburger Cart (proceeds support Music in the Schools!), a blanket or low lawn chair and whatever attitude you are wearing…because you will leave happy. Promise!

Sounds of the ShoresIn addition to Music in the Park, Sounds of the Shores – our Marlin Park series starts this coming Sunday, June 24th! Local rock band Stealing 3rd, will open our series and get the crowd going on our new day and time! Shows are now on Sundays from 5:00-7:00pm so you can bring the whole family to enjoy this wonderful event!  We’ve not only made the day and time more accessible, but we have your picnic dinner taken care of too. This year, we’ve added FOOD TRUCKS to our event. Capelo’s Hill Country Barbeque will be out there with BBQ sliders, sandwiches, hot dogs, ribs, vegetarian sides and more!! We are looking forward to an AWESOME Sunday in the Shores!

For more info about our bazillion events in Redwood City, the Peninsula’s Entertainment Capital, visit www.redwoodcityevents.com!

Happy Summer y’all!

Baby, It’s HOT Outside.

Stafford Park water feature

It. Is. HOT. It’s not even summer yet and we are already trying to beat the heat. Herkner Pool won’t be open until our Summer staff is hired, trained, and of course, out of school… but we have plenty of other places to go to cool off (okay, and some unfortunate maintenance issues to report).

Stafford Park Snail1. Stafford Park
King St./Hopkins Ave. (map)

(Update 5/17 – we have found a  temporary fix so we are now open!)

Here is the info for when we re-open:
Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Tot lot, Picnic Area, Grass Play Area, BBQs and Restrooms

2. Andrew Spinas Park
2nd Ave./Bay Road (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Picnic Area, Play Area, Basketball Court, Lit Tennis Court and Restrooms

Fleishman Park Water Feature

3. Fleishman Park
Locust St. / McEvoy St. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Picnic Area, Play Area, BBQs and Restrooms


Maddux Park Frogs

4. Maddux Park
Maddux Dr./Kensington Rd. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Playground, Tot Lot, Picnic Area, Restrooms & nice, Grass Play Area.

Stulsaft Water Play

5. Stulsaft Park
3737 Farm Hill Blvd. (map)

Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm.

Amenities: Hiking Trails & Creek, Playground, Tot Lot, Picnic Area, BBQ pits, Soccer Field & Restrooms

And of course we have Herkner Pool, located at 1315 Madison Ave, in Red Morton Park. Click here for information about our 2012 Aquatics program!

Stay Cool!

WANTED! Have You Seen This…CAT?

Where did my socks go? Sometimes it’s the dryer, but maybe… it’s this little guy!


Dusty the Klepto Cat
Dusty the Klepto Cat's Mug Shot


Dusty the Klepto Cat   is one of our local celebrities and possibly San Mateo County’s Most Wanted Crook! Dusty has appeared on Animal Planet, The David Letterman Show, CNN, KGO and will now be riding through the 10th Annual Pet Parade this Saturday, along with many of the items that he has stolen from his neighbors throughout the years. You can see Dusty in action on You Tube (of course)  stalking his neighborhood for goodies, courtesy of Animal Planet. So if you cannot find your left running shoe, your child’s stuffy or your UNDERWEAR, you may want to rethink… “Did I lose that?” or was it “DUSTY THE KLEPTO CAT!?”


More Information About the Pet Parade…
THIS WEEKEND!
10th Annual Pet Parade
Saturday, May 21 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
on Courthouse Square – 2200 Broadway St. Redwood City (MAP)

The parade itself starts at 12:00 pm, but you should definitely show up at 11 am for this wildly popular annual event. There are going to be over 90 vendor booths and a lot of fun activities – this just might be the biggest Pet Parade event ever! We will be calling the Guinness Book!

Pony rides – petting zoo – Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual aquarium builder –  a Game Truck full of video games and other activities – the performing Sky Dogs – Peninsula Humane Society mobile adoption van – photos with your pets with Posh Pooch Portraits – caricature artists – paw print art projects – a how-to for throwing a party for your pet (!)- food and beverage vendors – lots of booths with great stuff for you and your pet (how about matching outfits?) – a variety of pet rescue groups – and don’t forget the great Downtown restaurants all around!

The entire community is invited – children, adults, and families can enjoy the fun events and festive atmosphere, and sign up (in advance, or by 11:30 that day) to show off their pets, whether furry, feathered, or scaled, vying for a $100 Grand Prize for the top winner.

Get your registration form at RedwoodCityEvents.com, or contact: Jeri Joseph-Hover at 650.369.9010 or brightonrwc@aol.com. There is a $5 entry fee for each pet to be judged in a contest, but there is no fee to walk along and be part of the Pet Parade.

This event is sponsored by Redwood City Parks and Recreation Department, Redwood City Redevelopment Agency, and the Civic Cultural Commission.

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Parks Make Life Better!

And now a message from our fearless leader…

DIRECTOR, CHRIS BETH! YAAAAAAY!

An extensive research study asked California citizens and public officials “Why are parks important to you?”  The research, sponsored by the California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS), a nonprofit, professional and public interest organization with more than 4,000 members, was used to develop the first-ever brand of the profession. “Parks Make Life Better!” is now being launched by CPRS members statewide, including the City of Redwood City. 
Overwhelmingly, survey respondents value parks and recreation as an essential community service.  Virtually every California household (98%) reported visiting a park during the past year. Forty-two percent visited a park at least several days a week; 26% visited at least once a week, and 68% visited at least monthly. Of these, 55% go with spouse or partner, 53% with kids, 48% with family, 46% with a friend. Only 5% of the users indicated they go alone.

CPRS used the research findings to develop the first-ever brand promise and brand identity for parks and recreation. The brand promise incorporates the benefits Californians reported as most important; the many ways parks and recreation make their lives and communities better. Specifically, parks and recreation make life better now and in the future by providing:

  • Access to the serenity and inspiration of nature
  • Outdoor space to play and exercise
  • Facilities for self-directed and organized recreation
  • Positive alternatives for youth which help lower crime and mischief
  • Activities that facilitate social connections, human development, therapy, the arts and lifelong learning

In short, parks and recreation services make Californians’ lives better.

How does parks and recreation make your life better?

play PLAY
Safe, outdoor space
For us, the biggest benefit is a safe, outdoor play space for our kids today…and as they grow.
nature NATURE
Beauty and serenity
Being in nature makes one feel alive.  We’re very fortunate to have beautiful spaces so close to home.
exercise EXERCISE
Healthy movement
Parks are made for moving at your own pace.  And, recreation programs make it easy to stay healthy.
POSITIVE SPACES
Free-time fun
Neighborhood parks are an escape, a place to run around and play.
GATHERING PLACES
Socializing and learning
Parks are like holidays, bringing us together to share good times.  They are the common ground that connects us all.
FOREVER
Valued today and always
Parks enrich our lives.  They add value to our homes and neighborhoods.  Individually and as a community, we’ll always have that need.
Come out and enjoy any one of Redwood City’s 30 parks and hundreds of recreation programs and services that are offered by our Department.  Please go to www.redwoodcity.org/parks for more information.

PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER!

Top 5 Reasons Redwood City LOVES Andy Z!

 
How AWESOME is Andy Z &  The Andyland Band’s, Pumpkin Patch video? Show it to your kids and get them revved up for Saturday’s Concert (see below).
 

If you are saying to yourself…”WHO IS ANDY Z?” our guess is that you do not have a young child.  That aside, Andreas Zamenes, aka Andy Z, has been entertaining children up and down the Peninsula, around the Bay Area, at Birthday Parties galore and more recently over the airwaves of internet radio, Pandora!  Whether he’s gracing us with his repertoire of “Kindie” Rock, with hilarious original songs influenced by the likes of Smashmouth and Bob Marley or leading a group of exuberant little fans around our Courthouse Square akin to a modern day Pied Piper, Andy Z is sure to not only entertain your family, but bring out your inner-child.

Why do WE love Andy Z so much?

  1. He takes our children away from our their iPads and Televisions and into the imaginary world of Andyland.
  2. He gives us songs that can bridge the gap between classic childrens music and something we actually might CHOOSE to listen to!
  3. Getting into an Andy Z show is much easier than landing tickets to American Idol…oh and did I mention…usually FREE!
  4. Andy z and The Andyland Band don’t just sing songs, but put on a REAL INTERACTIVE SHOW, complete with kids in costume and dare I say Mob Dances? Well maybe that is a little extreme, but his Rendition of Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum sure gets those kids up and moving!
  5. And lastly…HE’S FROM REDWOOD CITY!

Not to worry! The word on the street is that he is expanding his reach to “Tweeners” (kids ages 8-12) with his newest Halloween Adventure themed album, due out on October 1, 2011. You can look forward to many many more years with Andy Z!

See Andy Z and the Andyland Band this Saturday, May 7,  from 11am-1pm on Courthouse Square in Redwood City! Families will enjoy a fun kid’s concert, an inflatable playland, and can also create a Mother’s Day Gift in the craft area. Bring sunglasses for you and the kids, it is sure to be a bright and beautiful day on the Square!

This concert is sponsored by the Redwood City Mother’s Club, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, and the Redwood City Redevelopment Agency.

Update on Sand Play Replacement Project

Frog feature at Maddux
Ribbit! Meet our new pet at Maddux Park!

Kids playing on new equipment

We take safety very seriously. When we were made aware of a potential problem in our sand play area at Stafford Park back in January of 2009, we addressed this issue head on. Collectively, our staff felt that the right thing to do was to test the sand to see if indeed there was a problem. We found out there was – presence of what we considered high levels of e.coli – and we closed that portion of the park to correct it. We even went so far as to test other sand areas in our parks to ensure that these were safe. Most were, but we did find that we had an issue at Maddux Park as well.

We focused on these two parks by removing the sand and replacing it with large coarse sand, and when e.coli returned, we tried different approaches. From changing the drainage, treating the sand, turning off the water, and incorporating daily screening of the sand, high levels of e.coli returned inconsistently over the past two years. We felt that it wasn’t fair to our park users to come to a park where a portion of it was often closed. We needed to replace the sand play areas at these two parks with something else that still had a “high play value” for children.

The result after two community meetings held at each park was to transform the sand areas into tot water play areas.

We’re happy to report that Maddux Park is now re-opened! The initial reports for our little users are clear through their smiles as they run through the “spitting frogs”.

We’re also very close in re-opening the tot area at Stafford Park. The contractor is finishing up the “punch-list” items and we’ll open as soon as our high standards are met (again, it should be opened soon!).

Thank you for your patience through this project.

CHRIS BETH
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director