Quote of the week

"When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young."

– Maya Angelou, activist, poet and author

YANovCon: Young Adult Novelist Convention

Menlo Park is teaming up with libraries throughout San Mateo County to present a free, half-day celebration of young adult books and authors. This year's theme is Fantasy vs Reality: Escape Into Fiction. Meet new, award-winning and notable young adult novelists, try your hand at a teen writing workshop, visit a trio of panel discussions or stop by for the book sales and signings. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at Belmont Library, 110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont. Learn more and reserve your free ticket.

2026K Community Fun Run registration – Now open!

Did the winter Olympics get you wishing for a medal of your own? Join us for our 2026K Community Fun Run — a 6-kilometer course that will start at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave., and head through the trails of Bedwell Bayfront Park. All participants will get a medal and a commemorative t-shirt. Runners, walkers, youths and adults are all invited! Join us on Saturday, April 25, from 9–11 a.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus.

Spring swim lessons in Menlo Park

Registration for spring swim lessons at Burgess and Belle Haven Pools opens Sunday, March 1, at noon. The session runs from March 16–May 31. Classes meet once per week on the same day and time selected during registration. Resident rates are available for Menlo Park residents. Scholarships and Belle Haven hyperlocal resident discounts are available at Belle Haven Pool. Class schedules will be viewable online starting Thursday, Feb. 26. Learn more.

February is Library Lovers Month

Dear readers, happy Library Lovers Month! To celebrate Library Lovers Month, Menlo Park's librarians have curated reading lists that we think you'll love! Find your next good read here: 

• Library Lovers Month (Adults) – Books celebrating the love of libraries
• Sports Romance (Adults) – Heart-pounding tales of athletes hitting it out of the park in love
• Top Books of 2025 (Adults) – 2025 reads that flew off our shelves
• Top Books of 2025 (Kids and Teens) – 2025's most highly favored reads among the under-18 crowd
• Nonfiction Comics (Kids) – History and memoirs for kids in comic form

Spring Adult Softball – registration open

Get out on the grass for our Spring Adult Softball League! Our leagues are open to all skill levels, so come join us out on the softball diamond, make some new friends, throw the ball around and have fun! Games will take place at Nealon Park from March 23–May 28. The Co-ed League is on Monday evenings and the Men's League is on Wednesday evenings. Team and free agent registration is open now.

Time is running out to apply for the Community Funding Program

The City of Menlo Park is accepting applications for its Community Funding Program, which supports eligible community organizations and nonprofit agencies addressing local human service needs. Funding is available for basic services, community enrichment and community health programs. Using the City's Community Funding Policy, the City Council will allocate limited resources to priority community needs. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Applications are due by Thursday, March 5. Learn more.

Now hiring Recreation Specialists for summer camps!

Looking for a fun job this summer? The City of Menlo Park is now hiring summer camp counselors (ages 18 and older). Recreation Specialists will supervise and engage children in games and activities in a safe, welcoming, summer camp environment! Hourly pay is from $19.29–$23.02. See full details and apply now.

Temporary Closure – Event Hall at Belle Haven Community Campus

The Event Hall at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave., will be closed from Feb. 23–27 while work is done on the floor outlets. Senior programming scheduled to take place in the Event Hall will undergo minor adjustments. Other programs will continue as usual. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs 

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Middle Grade Book Group. Check out our book group, just for kids ages six–12! Join us to discuss this month's book, The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Cascada de Flores Celebrates Mexico. Enjoy live music with the celebrated Cascada de Flores quartet! Join us on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1–2 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Library Makes. Join us for an afternoon craft in the Makerspace! Participate on Saturdays through March 14 from 2–3:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Storyteller Masankho Banda. Join us to enjoy the art of storytelling with Masankho Banda! Participate on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Documentary: Black Boys. Join us at the library for a documentary screening. "Black Boys" is an award-winning film illuminating the full humanity of Black men and boys in America. Watch with us on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group. Join us in person or online for this month's book group meeting to talk about Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. Participate online via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 23, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
• Global Language Storytime: Spanish. Join us for a special storytime featuring stories, songs and fun in Spanish! Participate on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 12:15–12:45 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• California Book Group. Join us to discuss Melanie Benjamin's The Girls in the Picture, a novel about the friendship between actress Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion. Participate on Sunday, March 1, from 3–4:15 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Melanated Women Read. Melanated Women Read is a book discussion group by and especially for Black women. This month, we'll discuss The American Queen by Vanessa Miller. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, March 2, from 6:30–8 p.m. Learn more.
• Garden Talk: Starting Plants from Seed. Join us online to learn how to start seeds now for spring planting, seed selection, timing and whether to start early in containers or directly sow. Participate online via Zoom on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!