Distinguished Council Members,
 
I apologize for not submitting a proposal for the Bayfront Park
development earlier in your process, but I really thought the
environmental impact would be found unacceptable.
 
Please consider reserving 0.5-1 acre of open space for development as a
suburban 4-H Club "farm". Many of the San Mateo County 4-H clubs have
small "farm" areas (on land leased from various sources) where members
can raise livestock animals for exhibit and sale at the County Fair.
These members would otherwise be unable to participate in livestock
projects due to zoning restrictions on the types of animals that can be
kept in city limits. Most of these farms are open to 4-H Club members
from April or May until September (after the San Mateo County Fair is
over and the farm is cleaned) though a few are kept open year-around.
The space is entirely operated and maintained by the 4-H Club members
and parents, and entry is restricted to Club members. The types of
animals that are typically raised on a 4-H Club farm can include lambs,
goats, calves, poultry, and pigs, but in some cases includes vegetable
gardens as well.
 
 
Given the sensitivity surrounding development of this vestige of open
space, converting a small amount to agricultural use can represent a
half-way point between preservation and full-on development. This would
also provide a most unique opportunity for Menlo Park residents to
participate in the vanishing agricultural trades, as I am not aware of
any location in Menlo Park that allows one to keep large or small hoofed
livestock on private property. 4-H Club members must be 5 -19 years of
age in order to raise livestock, and at least 9 years old to exhibit
anything larger than a goat at the Fair. Providing a 4-H farm in
Bayfront Park is a creative way to address interests of a distinctly
younger age group than that likely to utilize a golf course, and may
provide an acceptable offset to objections to that type of development.
 
I would happily work to provide a formal proposal to the City for
inclusion of a 4-H Club farm in Bayfront Park. Please provide a contact
for me to use for guidance in preparing such a proposal. The closest
facilities of this type are located in San Carlos to the north, and
Cupertino to the south, making it too inconvenient for children in Menlo
Park to use. Contrary to popular belief (or rather, no thought at
all!), 4-H in San Mateo County has an growing membership, and the
Bayfront Park represents the best and possibly only opportunity to bring
these unique and enriching experiences to the families of Menlo Park.
 
Regards,
 
Julie Figliozzi Wong
271 Hedge Road
853-1305
 
Received on Tue Nov 1 17:04:54 2005