Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - March 4, 2026
Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - March 4, 2026
The Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission held a regular meeting on March 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was streamed live via Comcast, the city website, and Zoom. The agenda included the approval of minutes, election of chair and vice chair, annual updates from the Voices youth group, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), and the Youth and Teen Programs division, as well as the Happy Hydrant Centennial Art Project, liaison assignments, and department updates. The commission approved all routine items and heard enthusiastic presentations from youth groups about their service projects and events.
Consent Calendar
- The draft minutes from the January 21, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the community forum or on any agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson: Commissioner Whitmore was elected chair (7-0) and Commissioner Emkin was elected vice chair (7-0).
- Voices Volunteer Outreach Group Annual Update: The Voices group, comprising 24 members who meet twice a month, presented their 2025-2026 activities. Highlights included: Shamrock Scavenger Hunt (March 2025), Egg Adventure Hunt (18,000 eggs hidden, April 2025), Arbor Day tree planting (5 trees at Bellamita Park), Samaritan House holiday kits (95 kits made in November 2025), Santa at the Firehouse (December 2025), and the group's 30th anniversary celebration. Upcoming projects include: care packages for ALS Network (March 17, 2026), Egg Adventure Hunt (April 4, 2026, with 20,000 eggs), Arbor Day tree planting (15 trees at Hidden Canyon Park, April 17, 2026), and a teen-focused playlist for the Belmont Library’s 20th anniversary silent disco (April 29, 2026). The group also participates in the Buddy Meetup program, pairing mentors with youth with disabilities, averaging 24 mentors and 20 buddies per season. Commissioners expressed pride and gratitude for their work.
- Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Annual Update: YAC has 21 members and 8 alternates, meeting twice a month. Their 2025-2026 projects included: Police Forum with Belmont PD, Roots and Roots tree planting (5 coastal live oaks at Hallmark Park with 11 participants), Spelling Bee (43 K-3 students, raised $865 for youth scholarship), Teen Wellness Retreat candlemaking workshop (30 teens), Native Plant Workshop at Belmont Community Garden, Lemonade Day (15 groups, average profit $85), High School and College Fair (14 high schools, 8 colleges, 250+ attendees), YAC Social in Burlingame (8 cities), Breakfast Club Food Drive (350 food donations, partnership with Samaritan House), and Senior Tech Workshop/Rock Painting (16 seniors). Upcoming: Teen Wellness Strategy Session (March 28, 2026) and Youth Spelling Bee (April 25, 2026). Commissioners thanked the group for their community impact.
- Youth and Teen Programs Annual Update: Staff presented growth statistics from 2018 to 2026: Hideout after-school program enrollment increased from 48 to 105 (120% increase); YAC membership from 13 to 29 (123% increase); Voices membership from 19 to 24; Camp SOAR camper signups from 682 to 825 (approaching 900 in 2026); contractor summer camps from 145 to 199; public swim lessons from 443 to 550; summer seasonal staff from 37 to 46; special events from 13 to 46. Specific event growth: Egg Hunt participants increased 700% (from 4,000 eggs in 2018 to 20,000 in 2026); Sweetheart Dance from 144 to 149; Santa event from 379 families to 700 families (about 2,000 attendees); Movies in the Park from 1 movie at 1 location to 3 movies at multiple locations; Boo Bash from 350 to 2,000 attendees. New features: waitlist automation for Camp SOAR and aquatics, adaptive camp (renamed from inclusion camp, expanded from 5 to 6 spots per week), and extended camp hours (8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). The department also reported 105 youth enrolled in the Hideout, 51% sixth graders, 27% seventh graders, 21% eighth graders. The Ready Set Spike volleyball program (free, beginner) sold out with 40 participants. Staff noted the need for a new community center to accommodate growth. Commissioners praised the team’s innovation and dedication.
- Happy Hydrant Centennial Art Project Update: Staff reported two submissions received, but one contained a logo (not permitted per city policy). The remaining submission—a rainbow-colored hydrant design—was approved unanimously (7-0). The design will be submitted to Midpen for final approval. Commissioners encouraged community members to submit designs and check with staff about available paint colors.
- Liaison and Park Committee Assignments: The commission reviewed and updated liaison assignments for the year. New assignments included: Planning Commission (Commissioner Lee and a new volunteer), Senior Advisory Committee (Commissioner Cunha and a new volunteer), YAC (an adult commissioner and youth commissioners), and various park assignments. Commissioners volunteered for several parks and committees, including McDougall Park, Twin Pines Park, and the Oakhill committee (for a consultant recommendation). Assignments were approved by consensus.
- Department Updates: Staff provided updates on senior center field trips (Glowfari at Oakland Zoo), Lunar New Year celebration (packed attendance), BCLC preschool activities, volunteer celebration, MLK Poetry and Essay contest (18-20 finalists, two winners per age group), and upcoming events: Teen Wellness Retreat (March 28), Egg Hunt (adaptive April 3, traditional April 4), Wedding Fair (April 12), Youth Spelling Bee (April 25), and trail maintenance with TrailCenter.org (March 21, 30 spots). Commissioners also discussed the need for more pickleball courts, the potential for a new community center, and the Belmont Belongs project (benches and game table, awaiting donation).
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Consent Calendar: Minutes from January 21, 2026 approved 7-0.
- Election of Officers: Chair Whitmore and Vice Chair Emkin elected, both 7-0.
- Hydrant Design Approval: Rainbow hydrant design approved 7-0.
- Liaison Assignments: Approved as revised, with new volunteers for several committees and parks.
- Next Steps: Staff will continue outreach for Happy Hydrant program, finalize liaison assignments, and proceed with upcoming events and programs. The commission will receive centennial updates in future meetings.
Meeting Transcript
March 4th. This is uh the city council chambers. For public participation in the meeting, you can tune in to Comcast Cable 27. The meeting will also be streamed live via the city's website at www.belmont.gov and via Zoom. Go to Belmontgov.zoom.us, select join, and enter meeting ID 924 83193757. For public comment. Public in the council chamber may present the clerk with a request to speak slip found at the rear of the chamber. If participating virtually, use the raise hand feature to request to speak. For dialing comments, please dial star six seven one six six six six six six six nine nine hundred sixty-eight thirty-three. Your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if star six seven is not dialed prior to the phone number. Enter meeting ID nine two four eight three one nine three seven five seven and press star nine to request to speak. All public comments are subject to a three minute time limit limit unless otherwise determined by the committee chair. To submit a written public comment, em email PR com at Belmont.gov before the commission considers the item. Please indicate the agenda item topic or agenda item number you wish to comment on in the email subject line. Any public comment regarding agenda items that are received from the publication of the agenda through the meeting date will be made part of the meeting record but will not be read during the committee meeting. The chair also has the authority to order any person who willfully interrupts the meeting to be removed. All persons are expected to conduct themselves with civility and courtesy at all times. All persons giving comments shall speak directly to the commission and address issues, not individuals. Personal attacks, cursing, and outbursts from the audience is in support or opposite in support or opposite opposition to a speaker. Gosh, I'm glad this is the last time I have to read this. Support or opposition to the speaker are not tolerated in order to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome to speak. Commissioner Basabada? Here. Commissioner Cunha? Here. Commissioner Whitmore? Here. Commissioner Hill? Here. Commissioner Leifern. Here. Commissioner Lee? Here. Chair Amkin. Here. Youth Commissioner Hallinen. Here. Excuse me. Nara Yana. Here. Okay, item number two. All rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Item number three, community forum. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any city matter within the purview of the commission, which is not on the agenda. The period for public comment at this point in the agenda is limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker. Do we have any speaker slips or raised hands? We do not. And I'm really excited to be part of the Parks and Rec Board and be a part of the community and foster a sense of community. So thank you so much for we're glad to have you. And now are you for commissioners?
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