Belmont Park - How We Got Here
 As we look ahead to our annual National Night Out events on Tuesday, Aug. 1, we reached out to the Belmont Historical Society for some background on outdoor community events, and they delivered.
According to the novelette "Heritage of the Wooded Hills – A Belmont History" by Ria Elena MacCrisken, our city was home to train travelers from San Francisco looking for a serene park for afternoon recreation.
We can thank longtime Belmont resident and Janke Soda Works proprietor Carl Janke, who was inspired by his Hamburg birthplace's biergarten concept, to create a park experience in Belmont.
From Sixth and Ralston avenues to the Notre Dame School property, Carl and his wife Dorothea put Belmont on the map for city dwellers with the creation of Belmont Park.
Janke even dug a hole to provide water and built a dance pavilion with glassless windows, a barroom, ice cream parlor, and lunchroom—a facility large enough to entertain 300 people. There was a carousel for kids, and parents could also keep them busy with three-legged, ponycart, and foot races. Additionally, there was a shooting gallery for patrons to practice their marksmanship, and live bands and walking paths (apparently set far enough apart that no accidents were reported).
From about 1860 to the 1900s, trains delivered San Franciscans here to experience Belmont Park for themselves. The San Mateo County Gazette covered some of the festivities and published articles about the park's events in its newspaper in 1869. Pictured here is a group photo at the carousel dated to the peak of Belmont Park's popularity.
Eventually, a younger Janke, Carl Ferdinand Janke, took over running Belmont Park, but the elder Jankes are forever part of the Belmont Park legacy; both Carl and Dorothea were initially buried on the property until the family moved their remains to a cemetery gravesite believed to be in Colma.
Find out more about our City’s history, click on the button below or drop by the History Room.
Belmont Historical Society's History Room
10 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
Open Sundays from 1 – 4 p.m. until July 30.
Curious about National Night Out on Aug. 1, 2023? Click on the button below to get involved in this year's free community events.
School District Transitioning to District Elections
On April 20, 2023, the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District Board adopted Resolution #19, in response to the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).
The district intends to transition its Board elections from at-large to by-trustee area Board elections, where each Board member must reside within the designated trustee area boundary, and is elected only by the voters in that trustee area.
The district is holding an online public meeting on July 13 to hear feedback. Residents can also learn how to submit maps of interest. Click the button below to learn about the election process.
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Join the District meeting about the process and learn how to submit maps of interest.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Online Event
Middle Scholars Return - STEAM Learning Opportunities
Looking for some engaging, enlightening and most importantly, fun summer activities for middle school youth? Middle Scholars is back.
Exciting STEAM learning opportunities are lined up, just for you. In partnership with three County of San Mateo agencies, San Mateo County Libraries is highlighting the diversity of STEAM experiences available, in hopes of sparking a lifelong curiosity and interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Discover more about sustainability and resource conservation, insects, biomimicry and engineering.
Local libraries will host at least one STEAM-themed escape room-style challenge for middle schoolers. Check the event listings for exciting programs near you.
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Belmont Library Seed Library - take seeds, donate seeds
Did you know we have a seed library at Belmont Library?
They are free for community members to browse, take seeds from and donate to.
Learn more about this offering and discover titles about seed saving, California native plants and how we can help the climate through gardening.
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Red Cross Pillowcase Project - July 13
The Pillowcase project is an educational program teaching families basic coping skills.
Kids between ages 6 to 11 will receive a sturdy pillowcase in which to build their personal emergency supplies kit.
The project is part of the Library's Summer Learning Program.
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Friday, July 7
2 - 3:00 p.m.
Belmont Library
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont
Belmont Talks: Birding Made Easy
On July 13, join Audubon Society's Doug Brown for a riveting conversation all about birding on the Peninsula.
He will use his 19 years of experience to go over local resources to enhance birding, local birding hotspots, and conservation efforts here on the Peninsula.
This talk will be held both in-person and virtually.
July 13
6:30-8 p.m.
Belmont Library
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont
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Senior Tech Days at the Library Expands
Seniors in Belmont can now take advantage of the Senior Tech Help program at Belmont Library, available every Saturday from 1-3 p.m.
Youth volunteers from Carlmont High School offer personalized one-on-one assistance and guidance on various technology-related topics.
Volunteers will be on hand to help seniors navigate smartphones, tablets, computers, email, social media, online safety, and more.
Whether seniors are beginners or need help with specific tasks, the Senior Tech Help program provides the support needed to gain confidence and thrive in the digital age. The program is free, no reservations required, just drop in with your questions.
Saturdays
1 - 3 p.m.
Belmont Library
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, CA
Looking For A New Start?
Check Out the Jobs We Have Open
We have a diverse selection of job openings and we hope that one is just right for you.
Here’s just a snapshot of the jobs we have available. For complete job descriptions, visit the link at the bottom of this post.
DEPUTY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING - As Deputy Director, you will have the opportunity to provide support and management for development projects, high-profile planning initiatives, both ongoing and long-term. Your contributions will have a significant impact on our growth, progress, and development. Currently, Belmont is evaluating numerous proposals for new Biotech/Life Sciences/Office developments, totaling over 2.5 million square feet. We are also in the process of reviewing a 30-year Master Plan for Stanford's occupancy of the Notre Dame De Namur campus and preparing a Specific Plan for the adjacent 65-acre Unincorporated Harbor Industrial Area. We are seeking your expertise, enthusiasm, leadership, and teamwork.
MANAGEMENT ANALYST I/II - CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Is analyzing data and paying attention to details one of your best traits? Does useful organization of files, proper roll out of procedures, and careful and meticulous process guide you? We have a unique opportunity for a forward-thinking municipal government generalist with a strong understanding of the operations within a full-service city administration. The Management Analyst I/II role delivers critical administrative support to the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney. In this dynamic position you will serve as assistant to the City Manager and provide a wide range of administrative, analytical, and technical support to the City Clerk and City Attorney.
RECREATION SPECIALIST I/II: We are hiring for a full-time entry level position within the Youth and Teen Division. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to start their career in our wonderful world of Parks and Recreation life. If you are an energetic candidate, who has proven abilities to engage the youth and teen population and want to make a positive difference in their lives, this is the position for you.
Advertising Opportunity
Chamber Launches New Community Guide
Chamber San Mateo County is excited to announce the all new Chamber San Mateo County Community Guide and Membership Directory. This is first-ever four-city publication will represent the communities of Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, and Menlo Park.
The guide will include economic demographics, area highlights, and community and civic information, as well as a membership directory.
To secure a marketing space in the inaugural publication or for more information, please email Felicia Basques at felicia@chambersmc.org or Maggie Fahey at maggie@chambersmc.org. Pricing for ad space starts at $600.
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Housing Resources Available
Our growing list of resources can help locate affordable housing, build self-sufficiency, fund energy-efficient upgrades, and more.
Planning Commission Meetings
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month
7 p.m.
Council Chambers
1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont
San Juan Pump Station Slope Repair Project Construction Underway
In February 2019, a small section of the east bank of Laurel Creek eroded and slid into Laurel Creek. To repair the damages, this project will install steel beams and a retaining wall to stabilize the slope.
For this and next week, steel beams are being placed to help stabilize the hillside.
This work, which is nearby the East Laurel Creek Road and San Juan Boulevard intersection, should have no impact to traffic.
The pump station will remain fully operational during the length of the project, which is anticipated to be completed by August.
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Maintenance Work This Week
Improved Parking Stalls
We replaced nine tons of failed asphalt at the newly constructed Americans with Disability Act-project parking stall on Buena Vista by Cipriani Elementary School.
Staff determined that the asphalt deterioration likely was tied to last fall's weather since the cold temperature and high moisture content of the atmosphere have a negative impact on asphalt and thermo-plastic striping finishes.
We responded to the unravelling asphalt this week. Next week, we will fix the striping which has begun to peel along with the parking stalls closer to Monserat Avenue. We intend to restripe the crosswalk at Monserat Avenue this summer.
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Status of Tree Removal Project
The tree removals planned for upper Ralston Avenue this week are almost complete.
The trees at Davis Drive took longer than expected so the tree service company will return next Thursday, July 6 to finish the job.
Thank you, commuters, for your patience and cooperation. Watch for traffic control on site for next week's work.
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Training Time
We have many newer staff on our Public Works maintenance crew and much striping work to get done.
To maximize our training window, we hosted a thermo-plastic striping vendor at the corporation yard to conduct in-house training on our thermo-plastic striping equipment.
With staff now trained, watch for some new striping and crosswalks throughout Belmont this summer.
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Summer Infrastructure Projects
Ralston Avenue Pavement Project on Schedule
You already know that we’re improving the pavement on Ralston Avenue between South Road and Villa Avenue. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
From July 10-12, the most visible – and innovative -- stage of the project will proceed, and we recommend that you avoid this segment of Ralston while the train moves through. Yes, we said train.
Our project is utilizing a sustainable cold-in-place recycled method of pavement rehabilitation (see the image of the ‘train’ in use here).
Using this method, Belmont reduces construction-related waste and landfill usage, contributing to a more sustainable approach to infrastructure maintenance. See drone image here of the project near Villa Avenue.
We’re shortening the project time, too, and keeping our commitment to finishing this improvement before school-related drop offs and pick-ups begin again. Once the train completes its work, we’ll move on to the next stage of the work to complete it on time.
All of these efforts help us to save taxpayer dollars while delivering on our promise for strengthened infrastructure in our city.
Learn more about the Ralston Avenue Pavement Project by visiting the project link in the button below.
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Did you know: The Cold-in-Place method reduces the need for new aggregate and asphalt, resulting in lower material costs and decreased demand for natural resources. We’re also cutting down on truck trips for off-haul and import of material, not to mention reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sewer Rehabilitation Project
We're in the final weeks of our effort to improve our aging sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure and we're in the final weeks of this project.
Next week, the contractor is planning on conducting work on South Road at Debbie Lane and at Miramar Terrace, and in the easement between Alameda de las Pulgas/Villa Ave north of Ralston Avenue.
The work will include pipe fusing, sawcutting, CCTVing, pipebursting, and some open trench work.
Residents have been notified and traffic control is in place.
Until the end of July, expect work crews in various locations in our city performing work on existing pipes, rehabilitating manholes, conducting pipe replacement, and reconnecting service laterals.
For any questions regarding this project, call Senior Civil Engineer Bozhena Palatnik at 650-595-7463 or email at pworks@belmont.gov.
Demolition of Vacant City-Owned Buildings Starts in July
 We’re working to safely demolish the vacant buildings at the north and south corners of Hill Street and El Camino Real, pictured here.
In July, residents can expect to see contractors, Selway Construction, Inc., begin the demolition that will conclude by the end of the year.
Our Public Works team is working with agency partners to address noise, traffic control, environmental concerns, and debris removal.
Neighbors in the area will receive notices in advance of the demolition work which specific hours and dates of planned work. Schedules can change, and we thank our neighbors for their patience and cooperation during this necessary work.
During work hours and while the project is active please drive, walk, or bike with caution when traveling through the work zone.
Did you know: The demolition of the existing buildings is only the first step to seeing an affordable housing development project come to fruition. We are working with a developer (LINC Housing) to develop the parcels into a 37-unit, 100 percent affordable housing project.
We will continue to update you here on the progress of this and other development projects. To learn more about the LINC Housing project, click on the button below.
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