Flood Park's New Playground Waited for the Sun to Drop

As late as Oct. 9, the new play structure at Flood Park was still fenced off along Bay Road. It had zip lines, a climbing tower and metal slides that nobody could use yet. The holdup was sunlight. San Mateo County Parks told The Almanac in October that the slide had reached more than 130 degrees during peak hours over the summer. Officials said they were counting on cooler fall weather and the changing angle of the sun to open it by November.

The sun did its part. The County says the playground opened to the public on October 27, 2026, and it scheduled a ribbon-cutting for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The playground opened on a schedule set by the seasons, so the short, cool months ahead are when it works best. The shade that's meant to help it through future summers is still just newly planted trees.

A playground timed by the seasons

The project took longer than planned. In May 2025, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved a $4.1 million contract to build the playground, with construction estimated at nine months. In June, safety reviews found that changes were needed and the opening was pushed back. Then summer brought the slide-temperature problem.

County Parks spokesperson Jeneane Crawford told The Almanac that the slide's temperature depends mostly on the angle of the sun, and that it can be safe to use even on otherwise hot days. Her advice for families was a simple test: "If someone can comfortably hold their hand against the slide for five seconds, it is safe to use." She also said the department hopes the newly planted trees will eventually shade the play structure.

The five-second check is worth remembering now, in the easy season, because the same metal will face the same sun next summer. In November, the low sun that let the County open the gate also makes a midday visit the easiest time to go.

What opened on October 27

The County lists a climbing tower, zip lines, slides, spinners and swings. The Almanac's ribbon-cutting notice adds that the design includes open space for informal play and a separate area for children ages 2 to 5. According to the County, it "was built in collaboration with children and adults from the community." That collaboration was large. The Realize Flood Park project page counts more than 500 meeting participants and over 200 survey responses in the redesign process.

The playground is the second phase of a renovation that started with a 2014 County finding that the park needed a complete overhaul. Flood Park first opened in 1937. Former Parks Director Nicholas Calderon called the project the largest known and most comprehensive renovation of a county park.

Phase 1 was already waiting

Many families will visit for the playground and then find that the Phase 1 amenities were finished more than a year ago. Phase 1 cost an estimated $11.5 million, was paid for by Measure K, the county's half-cent sales tax, and was completed in summer 2025. As The Almanac reported when it opened, it added a bike pump track, artificial-turf multi-use fields, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, sand volleyball, walking paths, grilling areas, picnic sites and restrooms.

That mix matters for a family with kids of different ages. A younger child can stay in the 2-to-5 area while an older sibling rides the pump track a short walk away.

Here's how the main parts of the park work, based on County information:

Free entry is the detail that sets Flood Park apart from many County parks. The County's general fee schedule includes vehicle entry fees, but its Flood Park FAQ says access to this park is free. Fees apply only to picnic reservations and special events. Group sites can be booked through the County's online reservation system.

Where the fence is still up

One section of the park is still closed. A County update dated November 3 says the area set aside for a future baseball diamond and a large multi-use sports field remains closed for construction.

The renovation was also planned around the park's trees. The County FAQ describes a tree-lined promenade and a plan designed to preserve 92 percent of the park's trees and all of its heritage trees, with every removed tree replaced by at least one new one. New trees are what the County is relying on to shade the play structure. For now they're young, which is one more reason the playground is at its best in the months right after opening.

Coffee, pastries and picnic supplies at Marsh Manor

The nearest group of food stops is at Marsh Manor, 3700 Florence Road, on the Redwood City side of Marsh Road. The center's current directory lists:

• Starbucks, for coffee before an 8 a.m. arrival
• Lavender 'n Cream Pâtisserie, for pastries to bring along
• Delucchi's Market and Delicatessen, a grocery and deli that can cover a full picnic for one of the 20 drop-in sites
• Los Gallos Taqueria, for lunch after the playground
• State of Mind Pizzeria, for an easy post-park dinner

Because entry is free and every family picnic site is first-come, an outing can be as simple as picking up a deli order at Delucchi's and driving over to Bay Road.

When the days get short

Short days are a big part of why the playground could open, and they also shape the next few weeks in Menlo Park. Two free city events take place after dark.

Cocoa at the Campus is Monday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. It includes youth performances, cocoa, mini-churros and a small tree lighting. Details are on the city's event page.

Shop local! Light Up the Season is Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Fremont Park, at University Drive and Santa Cruz Avenue. It has youth performances, cocoa and a tree lighting. The city calendar listing has the details.

With a cool slide and free parking at Flood Park on a weekend morning, plus a tree lighting downtown on a Friday evening, early winter offers plenty to do close to home.

Flood Park is a good example of how Menlo Park keeps changing for the families who live here. If you're a homeowner near Bay Road and wondering how projects like this one affect your home's value, Caitlin Beanan is happy to walk you through it. Get your free home valuation.