3 ms·

To clarify, Foothills Park isn't strictly residents only but parking there is. You can hike in from neighboring land.

ebg13 6y ago
The article, linked article, photos of the park entrance, details from the lawsuit, and Palo Alto Municipal Code all indicate otherwise. But really that last one is the only one you need to check: "Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park." - https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-20448 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloal...
- bhickey 6y ago
  Since 2007 hikers from abutting lands, like Los Trancos, have been allowed to enter the park. I don't know if the council ever codified this. When my friend Corey was on the council he tried to open access to non-residents, but there wasn't support for it.
  - ebg13 6y ago
    > I don't know if the council ever codified this. I mean...clearly they did not per the wording of Palo Alto Municipal Code. That basically means that they've just chosen to only station enforcers at the entrance, not that it's allowed. The code says that PA police can charge you with a misdemeanor just for being inside the bounds of the park.
lhorie 6y ago
Isn't that a bit like saying I can technically get into your house from an open window? Even if it's physically possible, I'm quite sure that I'm not allowed to.
cgriswald 6y ago
That's wrong. Here is the ordinance: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-20448 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloal... Here is the complaint: https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/Final_Complaint_for_filing_0.pdf https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/Final_Complaint_f... > Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park.... Upon the request of an authorized city employee or a member of the Palo Alto police department, a person seeking to enter Foothills Park at the main gate or a person within the boundaries of Foothills Park shall provide identification or information to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.... No person shall enter or remain in Foothills Park in violation of this subsection. Violations of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor.
- bhickey 6y ago
  You can read the ordinance: "Foothills Park may be accessible to the general public for the purpose of using the Bay-To-Foothills trails." https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2008/07/29/from-the-bay-brto-skyline-ridge https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2008/07/29/from-the-bay-...
  - cgriswald 6y ago
    I did read the ordinance. You've suggested as long as people don't park there, they are fine. That's wrong and anyone who takes your advice could be looking at a misdemeanor. They are restricted to using the Bay-To-Foothills trails (and entering and exiting at those specific points). > Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park. (emphasis added)
    - bhickey 6y ago
      Except that literally doesn't occur. No one is getting cited for deviating from the most direct ridge trail through the park or entering from Portola Valley. The residency restriction is ridiculous, but this isn't how it works in practice.

The article, linked article, photos of the park entrance, details from the lawsuit, and Palo Alto Municipal Code all indicate otherwise. But really that last one is the only one you need to check: "Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park." - https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-20448 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloal...

bhickey 6y ago
Since 2007 hikers from abutting lands, like Los Trancos, have been allowed to enter the park. I don't know if the council ever codified this. When my friend Corey was on the council he tried to open access to non-residents, but there wasn't support for it.
- ebg13 6y ago
  > I don't know if the council ever codified this. I mean...clearly they did not per the wording of Palo Alto Municipal Code. That basically means that they've just chosen to only station enforcers at the entrance, not that it's allowed. The code says that PA police can charge you with a misdemeanor just for being inside the bounds of the park.

lhorie 6y ago

Isn't that a bit like saying I can technically get into your house from an open window? Even if it's physically possible, I'm quite sure that I'm not allowed to.

cgriswald 6y ago

That's wrong. Here is the ordinance: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-20448 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloal... Here is the complaint: https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/Final_Complaint_for_filing_0.pdf https://www.aclunc.org/sites/default/files/Final_Complaint_f... > Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park.... Upon the request of an authorized city employee or a member of the Palo Alto police department, a person seeking to enter Foothills Park at the main gate or a person within the boundaries of Foothills Park shall provide identification or information to satisfy the requirements of this subsection.... No person shall enter or remain in Foothills Park in violation of this subsection. Violations of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor.

bhickey 6y ago
You can read the ordinance: "Foothills Park may be accessible to the general public for the purpose of using the Bay-To-Foothills trails." https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2008/07/29/from-the-bay-brto-skyline-ridge https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2008/07/29/from-the-bay-...
- cgriswald 6y ago
  I did read the ordinance. You've suggested as long as people don't park there, they are fine. That's wrong and anyone who takes your advice could be looking at a misdemeanor. They are restricted to using the Bay-To-Foothills trails (and entering and exiting at those specific points). > Only residents of the city and regular or part-time city employees, members of their households related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and their accompanied guests are entitled to enter on foot or by bicycle or vehicle and remain in Foothills Park. (emphasis added)
  - bhickey 6y ago
    Except that literally doesn't occur. No one is getting cited for deviating from the most direct ridge trail through the park or entering from Portola Valley. The residency restriction is ridiculous, but this isn't how it works in practice.