Community members gathered at Flood Park in Menlo Park to celebrate the opening of its newly redesigned playground on Tuesday morning. The event brought together residents, park representatives, and county leadership to mark the project’s completion. The playground reopening is also part of a larger Flood Park renovation project that has brought upgraded athletic facilities and picnic areas.
As groups of children eagerly explored the new playground, Park Director Hannah Ormshaw began the ceremony by highlighting the park’s new features and the enjoyment it will provide for local families. “We see slides and climbing structures and swings, but for children, they see endless opportunities for adventure and imagination,” Ormshaw said.
Following the opening statements, park officials and supervisors gathered around as Lisa Gaucher cut the ribbon, officially introducing the playground to the public. Families and locals toured the new playground equipment, sharing their excitement about the improvements. “This is so beautiful; the structures are big and look super safe. I think that is going to be a huge community asset,” a resident said.
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of poured-in-place rubber surfacing, which replaces traditional playground surfaces like wood chips and makes the space more accessible to people using wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. These improvements are intended to allow more children and families to navigate and enjoy the playground comfortably.
Flood Park holds decades of childhood memories for generations of residents, dating back to its opening in 1940, 86 years ago. The latest renovation aims to build on that history by creating a more welcoming environment where children of all abilities can enjoy the space, with new accommodations so every kid can enjoy the structures. “The main goal is to have an all-inclusive play space for kids, no matter what their ability is. Everybody can enjoy the park,” District 4 Supervisor Lisa Gaucher said.
The reopening was initially delayed after parks staff discovered that direct summer sunlight caused the metal slides to reach temperatures above 130 degrees during peak hours. To prevent injury, the county kept the area closed until cooler fall weather brought the temperatures down to safer levels.
Beyond the playground’s opening, plans are underway to address other community needs at Flood Park. Future improvements include updates to the baseball field, additional shaded structures, and a multi-use sports field. This continues the park’s development as a space for recreation and community connection.
