On the outskirts of East Palo Alto lies a rare slice of nature. Cooley Landing is a peninsula that cuts through tidal marshes and offers rich biodiversity, stunning views, an education center, and plenty of places to rest. However, this park was not always so serene.
Cooley Landing sits on the ancestral land of the Puichon Ohlone people, who lived there for over 2,000 years, hunting and harvesting salt in the thriving marshlands.
When settlers displaced the tribe, the land became a critical point of economic growth. In 1848, it developed into a wharf as part of bank owner Isaiah Woods’ plan to build “a new San Francisco.” In 1867, Lester Cooley, the former mayor of Menlo Park, purchased the territory. Under Cooley a successful ranch and transportation system emerged, with farm products and bricks from a local plant being shipped back and forth from San Francisco.
The most dramatic change to the landscape came in 1932, when Cooley Landing became the county landfill. For years, Bay Area residents dumped and incinerated their trash at the marsh. Over time, this trash piled up and created the peninsula we see today. “We actually have some board members who were alive when [the dump] was still open, so they remember throwing trash in the Cooley Landing space,” Paola Bueno, Project Lead at Cooley Landing for Grassroots Ecology, said. When the dump closed in 1960, Carl H. Schoof purchased the land and established Palo Alto Boat Works along with a new wharf.
With the help of passionate community members and organizations, Cooley Landing has been completely transformed. The toxic leftovers from the dump have been almost completely capped by soil. Three years after the park officially opened, the nonprofit Grassroots Ecology has led multiple restoration efforts. Grassroots Ecology worked to install a bioswale, helping filter runoff water and keep the bay clean. There is now a sleek educational center that serves as a popular community gathering ground. Volunteer programs at Cooley are also in full swing, giving people the chance to connect deeply with the environment. “Each year, there’s more support and people who are interested in volunteering at Cooley or just learning more about the space,” Bueno said.
Over time, the wildlife has recovered too. There are over 15 native plant species, some of the most notable being hummingbird sage and buckwheat. Invasive species largely overran these native species, but they are now being revived. Shorebirds heavily populate the space and are out in full force. American white pelicans are migrating, and birds of prey like the osprey and northern harrier rule the skies.
Grassroots Ecology has also made efforts to connect with the community of EPA. They have partnerships with local high schools and host field trips and service opportunities. Additionally, cleanups and nature walks led in Spanish have been added. “It’s really important [because it] creates these bridges for folks that are maybe not too familiar or have minimal experience with the outdoors,” Bueno said. “[It gets] them to relate to it, and raises awareness of why we should preserve these areas and help protect the space for the future.”
EPA’s history of being denied resources and its overall lack of vegetation compared to nearby neighborhoods makes Cooley Landing stand out. “We’re trying to create an area where we’re welcoming [residents] and having an area where they can recreate and enjoy the outdoors,” Bueno said.
“Cooley Landing is special to me because it’s the only place in EPA where I can go and ground myself with nature,” sophomore Gael Garcia-Maldonado said. Other M-A students also expressed how important the space is to them. “I think it made me feel connected. I feel really connected to the land and the surroundings and the whole city,” junior Elena Palominos said.
“It brings people together. You see families, joggers, birdwatchers, everyone using the space in their own way,” sophomore Moises Bautista explained. “It’s kind of like a shared spot that reminds people what’s special about our community.”
As Cooley Landing continues to regain the nature it lost and adapt to new climates, Bueno is looking forward to seeing more youth come out to the park. “You can make the changes for their future generations as it starts with you,” Bueno said.
