Editor’s note: A previously published version of this article mischaracterized commissioner Jeff Greenfield’s comments.
Palo Alto Parks and Recreation commissioners have suggestions on ways to improve pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians in designs for the new Cubberley Community Center.
The city is hoping to build a new performing arts studio, sports facilities, a pool and more at the rundown community center at 4000 Middlefield Road.
Commissioner Jeff Greenfield made a handful of suggestions for bike paths throughout the plans for the new community center, but needed more clarity regarding the meandering bicycle and pedestrian paths and whether they would conflict with the seating for the amphitheater.
“Bikes and pedestrians, they want to go the shortest route,” Greenfield said at the Sept. 23 meeting, suggesting that some of the meandering paths, as he put it, could be reduced to make clearer-cut paths and increase the green space.
Greenfield also suggested that there be covered paths specifically for bikes and pedestrians in the parking area, so if it is raining, they will be able to stay out of the rain, similar to the covered breezeways at the current community center.
The project has been revised after a recent community meeting to have a recreation and wellness center, performing arts, visual arts, community services and a new theater, according to Amanda Deml, assistant director of community services.
There was no vote on the plans for the project at the Sept. 23 meeting, all commissioners gave feedback on the plans so far.
Commissioner Shani Kleinhaus said to think about the shortcuts people will be taking to design the paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Think about the shortcuts because that’s where the people will go,” Kleinhaus said.
The recreation center would have tennis, basketball, volleyball courts, classrooms, studio spaces and an outdoor swimming pool, Deml said. There would also be space for yoga, pilates, a preschool daycare, martial arts and office spaces, Deml said.
The project will protect all existing trees and plant additional ones on the site. There will be pathways and a bike road and a parking structure, Deml said.
Kleinhaus said she was concerned about the center having to compete with other places that may provide the same services, like the pool.
Kleinhaus said there are pools like Elks Lodge at 4249 El Camino, which offer outdoor and indoor hot tubs and a gym and is seven minutes away from the center. She also said the YMCA, which is four minutes away at 3412 Ross Road, and the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center at 3921 Fabian Way, which is three minutes away from the center, would be the competition for the project.
The city is working on the 15-acre project alone and will be working on it in phases. The city purchased seven acres from Palo Alto United School District in 2024 for $65.5 million, and they will be vacating the current space they are using when construction starts, Deml said.
Commissioner Nellis Freeman said he was concerned about how services at the center would continue working during the second construction phase. Deml said it will be planned around ongoing activities to avoid impeding any other services that require special rooms or equipment, like dancers who would need rooms with mirrors.
City council will be reviewing the plans on Oct. 20 for feedback, and a final plan is projected to be made by December, according to Deml. City officials have discussed putting a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to rebuild the community center.
Cubberley was built in the 1950s as the Palo Alto Unified School District’s third high school and closed in 1979 after enrollment fell.
The space is now used for holding events for nonprofits, artists, sports and programs for kids.
The Palo Alto City Council will review the proposed plans for the new Cubberley at its meeting on Monday (Oct. 20).
None of this will ever happen. Parks and Rec wasted its time. Council will throw out this recommendation and do something on their own. Council has gone through dozens of plans for Cubberley and thrown them all out. I’d feel sympathy for Parks and Rec, but they’re as insufferable as the council members, thinking what they do is somehow important. A consultant will come up with the final plan, and it will happen at the last minute, when nobody is able to recommend any meaningful changes. The Post shouldn’t have wasted its time covering this; it’s so inconsequential.
We need to start organizing a commemoration: celebration/ memorial event for the 15 June 1969 50th anniversary of Palo Alto’s inability to decide what to do with Cubberley HS. We could call it Palo Alto Bureaucrapic Ineptitude Day. Except that City Hall couldn’t possibly succeed in naming the event in time.