Fremont Park concert sprinklers update
On July 18, The Almanac reported the Menlo Park Summer Concert on July 16 was canceled due to sprinklers malfunctioning and public works was investigating the issue.
Since then, Menlo Park spokesperson Kendra Calvert said the unscheduled activation on July 16 was caused by a longstanding issue with the irrigation controller that causes the sprinklers at the park to turn on in the afternoon instead of at 11 p.m., like they are scheduled to.
The public works department has been working with a consultant to create a request for proposals to upgrade all irrigation controllers in city parks. The work is scheduled for this winter and Fremont Park will be prioritized.
Until then, public works will manually turn on the sprinklers while maintaining the parks around 6 a.m. The sprinklers will not run Tuesday or Wednesdays before the summer concert to ensure the grass is dry.
The next summer concert is on July 23 featuring The Refugees, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band.
Mike is on the mic
San Mateo County residents have a new way to see behind the scenes of county government: San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy’s new podcast.
“Open Mike,” hosted by the head of the county, will bring listeners behind the scenes of San Mateo County’s mission to “ensure everyone has the opportunity to live safe, healthy and prosperous lives,” according to a press release.
Its first episode debuted on July 24 and featured Parks Director Nicholas Calderon discussing changes in the county’s 100-year-old park system while in Edgewood Park, Redwood City.
The county teased the launch on YouTube shorts, with clips from Callagy and Calderon’s discussion about how modern parks have changed since he was growing up. The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Callagy isn’t the first politician in California to launch a podcast. California Governor Gavin Newsom launched his podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” four months ago.
— Arden Margulis
Historic walking tours in Woodside
Join the town of Woodside for free tours of the Woodside Town Center from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 2 and a tour of Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park at 10 a.m. on Aug 3. No reservations are required for the tour.
The tour of Woodside Town Center will be hosted by the Woodside History Committee and will start at the Woodside Community Museum. The 30-minute walk will explore the town’s commercial district buildings including the Pioneer Saloon and Independence Hall.
Visit Wunderlich Park to learn about the Folger Estate Stable Historic District’s stone walls, blacksmith barn, dairy house and more. The tour will also explore the history of the property, the development of the Folger Coffee Co. and the influence of horses to Woodside’s history. The tour will begin at the Wunderlich Park parking lot at 4040 Woodside Road.
The walking tours are part of the San Mateo County Historical Association’s Victorian Days, featuring walking tours across the Peninsula. For more information on walking tours visit history.smc.org/victorian-days-walking-tours.
— Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Most Popular
Velagapudi widens advantage over incumbent Combs in Menlo Park City Council electionNovember 6, 2026 11:26 am
