Throughout the year, needs come up in the parks that cannot be met through a park district’s tight budget. Park rangers are essential workers who make sure parks are open every day. Rain or shine, they are working to ensure safe trails, well-stocked bathrooms, and accessible amenities that make your visit more enjoyable. Rangers submit grant requests to the Parks Foundation which are approved on a rolling basis. Below are some of the tools and projects we have funded over the last few years.
Tools
A dual slope laser level which allows the maintenance team to easily and accurately complete projects that require precise slope and grades such as building foundation pads, grading roads, and installing adequate drainage on roads.
A wood planer for milling a board to a uniform thickness from rough-cut lumber for things such as benches and picnic tables.
A valve exercising program to exercise all water valves at Coyote Point for proper function and operation. The project benefits the park by allowing park rangers to shut off water valves quickly, reducing the amount of water loss due to breaks, and saving infrastructure from excess water damage.
A water line locator kit is a specialized and sophisticated method of detecting and tracing the path of underground water lines. It utilizes cutting-edge technology and equipment to pinpoint the exact location and depth of water pipes, thereby reducing the need for extensive and costly excavations or damage.
Battery-powered equipment such as pole saws, trimmers, circular saws, hand blowers and angle grinders to phase out gas-powered tools.
Trails and Access
The Lawler Bridge serves the equestrian community by connecting the east side of 280 to the west side and nearby parks and trails maintained and operated by the San Mateo County Parks Department. Funding was used to purchase new redwood lumber and hardware to rebuild this bridge and make it stronger than before.
Located near Greer Road in Huddart Park, the service road bridge was showing damage to the decking, and some of the main floor beams needed replacement. Woodside Fire uses this entrance into the park, but they did not want to drive their fire truck across the bridge until it was fixed.
The Crocker Gate entrance at San Bruno Mountain was a quick and easy access improvement project that made a difference in people’s lives right away. The widened and smoothed trail now allows people in wheelchairs access to the park from neighborhoods to the northwest.
Before and After of the Crocker Gate improvement project
Other Projects
ADA compliant drinking fountain with a water bowl for dogs at Junipero Serra Park.
Edgewood Farms planter boxes for the Friends of Edgewood’s demonstration garden. Edgewood farms was created to help cultivate more native plant seeds.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Grey Whale display
Grey Whale display at FMR