Posted by Read my lips
a resident of another community
on Oct 10, 2017 at 6:40 pm

(side note: thank you for the particularly excellent articles of late!)

"A public gate also leads to the park from Felton Gables Drive."

If you're referring to the gate next to the tennis courts, then I wouldn't really call that 'public.' The last time I looked, that gate was locked by a key on both sides. It appears only private Felton Gable residents have access through that 'public' gate to a public park.

If that has changed, I welcome hearing it.


"Councilwoman Elizabeth Lewis said the council agreed years ago to gradually phase out private access gates by constructing a public gate"

Personally, I think the homeowner gates to the park are a non-issue provided the Felton Gables residents abide by the same rules as everyone else.

That said, a public gate on the Felton Gables side of the park is the right thing to do.

Question: who put up the existing concrete fence between the park and Sussex Place (the dead-end road in Felton Gables that dead-ends at the concrete fence)? That would be the perfect location for public access to the park from the Felton Gables side of the park.

Posted by George Rodericks
a resident of Atherton: other
on Oct 11, 2017 at 8:48 am
George Rodericks is a registered user.

@Read my Lips -

"A public gate also leads to the park from Felton Gables Drive."

The gate referred to is the locked gate next to the Tennis Courts. It is referred to as the "Felton Gables Gate" and is the product of an agreement between the Town and the Felton Gables Homeowner's Association limiting public access through the Felton Gables neighborhood across a private easement and managing access into the Park from a rear property line. The Agreement was originally executed in 2004 and updated in 2012. The Agreement allows the Town to provide keys to Atherton residents to access the gate and travel through the Felton Gables Neighborhood across a private easement - primarily for Safe Routes to School. Keys are limited to Atherton residents that live in the Menlo Park City School District between El Camino Real and Middlefield Road - those that would likely walk to school.

"Question: who put up the existing concrete fence between the park and Sussex Place (the dead-end road in Felton Gables that dead-ends at the concrete fence)? That would be the perfect location for public access to the park from the Felton Gables side of the park."

The previous access location at Sussex Place was boarded up back over 20+ years ago. There were continuous complaints from the residents in Felton Gables that users of the Park would park vehicles on Felton Gables neighborhood streets clogging up already narrow streets, trek across private property (Sussex Place is a shared private driveway for two properties), and access the area at all times. The access way was sealed off to prevent continued impact. The Town has approached the two property owners along Sussex Place to determine if there is any interest at re-opening the access way. The property owners were not interested in doing so.

Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me direct at (650) 752-0504 or grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us.

Regards,

George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton