Dear City Council members,



My wife and I have been happy Menlo Park residents since 2016, with two children that attend Oak Knoll Elementary School. Menlo Park is where we both live and work. I operate a Menlo Park-based business with a number of local employees (Lux Capital, 1600 El Camino Real), my wife serves on the board of the MPAEF and we are deeply involved in the community.



While there are many deserving needs for the city’s tax revenue, we believe that increasing the availability of turf fields for youth sports should be a city priority. Our 7-year-old daughter plays on Stanford Strikers and the lack of weather-proof sports fields causes frustration and challenges for our family (and many others in the community). We also believe that field space should be required as part of re-development of the SRI campus. We would hope that you consider the community’s needs as part of this planned development, similar to El Camino Park and the Mayfield Soccer Fields in Palo Alto (which greatly benefit Palo Alto residents).



The positive ripple effects from having accessible turf sports fields to Menlo Park will be manifold. Happier and better adjusted youth, more satisfied parents and city residents, as well as a greater likelihood of standout student athletes to bring positive attention back to Menlo Park. In my view, it is a modest investment to brighten the future of Menlo Park and its residents.



We appreciate your consideration and support.



Peter Hebert

253 Princeton Road

Menlo Park, CA 94025