Residents press Sunnyvale council to preserve open space at Los Palmas Park amid cricket-pitch proposal

A vocal contingent of Sunnyvale residents pressed the City Council on May 19 to preserve the open, flexible character of Los Palmas (Los Palmus) Park and to remove a renovation concept that would install a dedicated cricket pitch with stadium lighting, 20–30-foot sports netting and additional courts.

Multiple residents — neighbors who said they have used the park for picnics, birthday parties, daily unstructured play and school events — testified that Option One would convert a democratic public lawn into a fixed sports facility that limits spontaneous use. Karen Gooff, representing the "Save Los Palmus Park" group, presented a petition with 752 signatures and urged the council to remove Option One from consideration. Other speakers described childhood memories, weekly recreational uses and community events that rely on the park’s unstructured layout.

Interim Public Works Director Rahman Chinakotla told the council staff paused the public-outreach process after a March community meeting that did not go well. He said the city has posted a detailed FAQ, responded to all public emails and is bringing on a facilitator to restart engagement in small focus groups followed by broader outreach; conceptual design options will return to council as noticed public hearings. "No decisions have been made," the city manager emphasized.

Residents asked for a pause on moving forward without additional neighborhood involvement and for clearer outreach and surveys; several speakers urged the city to seek alternative sites for a cricket facility to avoid converting the park. Petition signatories and other opponents said the proposed fencing, lighting and nets would create light pollution, restrict informal play, increase nighttime traffic and change the park's character permanently.

Staff said positions for the renovation have been budgeted and that the next public hearing would include conceptual design options for council consideration. The city clerk will accept petition materials and staff will report on the outreach plan and facilitator schedule.

Outcome: No formal decision or vote was taken; staff paused outreach and will re-engage with focused facilitation, then bring options to a publicly noticed council hearing. Residents delivered a petition to the city clerk and staff committed to further community engagement.