Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – October 7, 2026

The Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission met on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane. The meeting was broadcast on Comcast Channel 27, streamed on the city website and Zoom, and open to in-person attendance. The Commission approved the consent calendar, approved centennial hydrant and utility box designs, discussed the Barrett Community Center off-leash dog program, and received department updates.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission approved the minutes of the September 2, 2026 meeting by a 6-0 vote, with one commissioner absent. The agenda referenced the minutes as an attachment, but no separate minutes text was included in the source packet.

Public Comments & Testimony

• There were no public comments during the community forum or on the hydrant/utility box item.
• Five residents spoke in strong support of the Barrett off-leash dog program: Valerie Newhouse, Maggie Diab, Rachel Isola, Mark Narr, and Catherine Burns. Speakers described Barrett Field as a valuable, scarce grass space for dogs, a community-building third space, and a place that creates well-socialized, quieter dogs. Several asked the Commission to keep existing hours or extend them; one speaker also raised a concern about possible chemical use and safety at Cipriani Dog Park.

Discussion Items

Centennial Hydrant and Utility Box Designs

• Staff presented a new Happy Hydrant design by artist Jennifer titled You Are Not Alone, featuring colorful stripes, white hearts, and uplifting messages, along with alternative versions with less or no lettering. The Commission supported keeping the inspirational wording if feasible, suggested using stencils or practice painting, and offered design feedback on letter placement.
• Staff presented a utility box design by Veronica, a Carlmont High School graduate and art teacher, depicting local California birds: chestnut-backed chickadee, great horned owl, and lesser goldfinch. Commissioner Cunha, absent, had submitted support for both designs.
• The Commission approved the Selection Committee's recommendations as presented by a 6-0 vote, with one absent.

Barrett Community Center Off-Leash Dog Program

• Staff reviewed the program history: an off-leash pilot at Barrett multi-use field began in 2018; weekday morning hours are 7-8 a.m. from March 1 through November 30, with summer evening hours from 7-8 p.m. from June 15 through August 7. Cipriani Dog Park, built in the mid-1990s, is Belmont's only dedicated dog park, with fenced small and large dog areas on decomposed granite and open sunrise to sunset. Staff also noted that Cipriani was temporarily closed for storm drain cleaning and expected to reopen Friday.
• Challenges discussed included barking and noise near adjacent homes, owners staying past hours, enforcement difficulties because park staff are not always present, signage that is wordy or confusing, maintenance of the grass field, and the absence of a formal definition of excessive barking. Staff noted police response data had declined, with roughly four calls responded to over a recent six-month period, compared with earlier figures cited by a commissioner from 2023 of 48 police checks and one citation.
• Staff reported that usage numbers are not currently tracked, and field conditions are generally good, but digging and uncollected dog waste are recurring maintenance concerns. In response to a public comment about chemicals at Cipriani, staff stated all products have safety data sheets and can be provided on request, but are not currently on a public-facing website.
• Commissioners voiced broad support for maintaining the off-leash hours and described the program as a valuable community space. They discussed a potential dog-owner ambassador program focused on education rather than enforcement, possible hour extensions, and the need for better data before changing hours. For future Barrett community center planning, staff and commissioners discussed designing the planned dog run so it serves larger dogs; one commissioner noted placement near businesses could reduce noise impacts.
• The Commission moved to recommend that staff form a committee to gather use and neighborhood-impact data, including information on hours, enforcement, noise, and a possible ambassador program pilot. The motion passed 6-0, with one commissioner absent.

Department Updates

• Senior Community Center: remediation work is complete, including removal of flood-damaged flooring, drywall, and bathroom fixtures; the tile floor was tested and found to have normal bacteria levels. The City Council is scheduled to consider appropriating reconstruction funding on the following Tuesday.
• Water Dog Run: the event set a record with 1,087 registered participants for the third consecutive year; roughly $407 in centennial merchandise was sold.
• Movies in the Park concluded with Zootopia 2, The Incredibles, and School of Rock.
• The chatty bench and time capsule plaza area is nearing completion; a centennial ceremony is planned for October 24, with time capsules to be buried later beneath commemorative rocks and plaques.
• Upcoming events: high school/college fair on October 15, preschool fall festival on October 16, centennial celebration at Twin Pines Park on October 24 from 2-7 p.m. following a 1 p.m. parade, and Boo Bash/Trunk or Treat on October 28 from 5-7 p.m. Volunteers can sign up through Belmont.gov/hundredyears.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar minutes approved 6-0, one absent.
• Centennial Happy Hydrant and utility box designs approved 6-0, one absent, with hydrant feedback to the artist.
• Commission recommended formation of a committee to study the off-leash dog program and an ambassador pilot; motion passed 6-0, one absent.
• Staff will return with dog program data and update the Commission as the senior center reconstruction and centennial events proceed.
• The meeting adjourned after department updates and commissioner comments.