Quote of the week

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies; the man who never reads lives only one."
― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons

Activity guide – Summer 2025 enrollment now open

Learning is a lifelong adventure — take a recreation class! The City of Menlo Park offers a wide range of high-quality classes for all ages at reasonable rates, including fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts and crafts and more. Summer 2025 enrollment is now open for all Menlo Park residents. Spaces fill up quickly, so enroll today!

Summer reading game – Earn prizes for reading

Our popular Summer Reading Game is back, starting on June 1. Get ready to keep your reading skills sharp through the summer months as you discover great books, enjoy in-person and online activities and earn prizes sponsored by Friends of Menlo Park Library. Players of all ages are welcome to join and can win free books by signing up between June 1–Aug. 31. Learn more and register.

Summer swim passes now available

Enjoy fun in the sun at City swim centers all summer long! The Open Swim Family Pass offers a great value for unlimited open swim at City-owned swim centers. The pass includes up to five family members and is valid at both Belle Haven Pool and Burgess Pool from May 31–Aug. 10. For just $239 for residents and $155 for hyperlocal residents, the whole family can swim all summer long. Additional family members and extended dates are also available. Check the Menlo Swim and Sport website for more information and to buy a summer pass.

Last chance to take the Library, Recreation and Parks Survey

We want to hear from you! The City of Menlo Park is studying the community's needs for the City's libraries, recreation activities and parks. Your responses will help inform important decisions about these services in Menlo Park. Please tell us what you think by Sunday, May 18.

Save the date: Juneteenth celebration (observed)

The City of Menlo Park invites you to celebrate Juneteenth. Enjoy cultural entertainment, live music, resource information, food, family activities and community spirit on Saturday, June 14, from noon–3 p.m. at Kelly Park, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Holiday closure

City facilities will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take time off to observe the national holiday.

Nealon Park parking lot pilot feedback

The City of Menlo Park is testing a new parking configuration at Nealon Park, including adding back-in angle parking on Middle Avenue in front of the park. The pilot project is part of the Middle Avenue Complete Streets project. We would like to know your thoughts about the pilot project. Your responses will help determine whether these changes should become permanent.

Get involved! Apply for the Youth Advisory Committee

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is a great way for teens to get involved, meet other teens and build great experiences. YAC advises the Parks and Recreation Commission and City staff on activities, events and programs to meet the needs of youth and teens in the community. Students enrolling in grades nine–12 who live within Menlo Park City limits or attend a Menlo Park high school are invited to apply by the deadline on Friday, June 13. Learn more.

Aquatics working group

The Aquatics Working Group provides feedback about the City of Menlo Park's two swim centers, Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool. Participants are invited to share their perspective and learn more about our swim centers. The next working group meeting will focus on a financial overview of the aquatic program and proposed updates to aquatic fees. Join us on Tuesday, May 20, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Free literary and cultural programs

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

• Exhibition: Traveling Stitches special program. Handmade quilts created by men and women who have come to California from all over the world are on display through June 24. Join us for a special presentation of the quilts on Tuesday, May 20, at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Middle Grade Book Group: Drawing Deena. For ages six–12. This month, we discuss Drawing Deena by Hena Khan on Saturday, May 17, at 4:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Asian Animal Tales with Roopa Mohan. Listen as Storyteller Roopa Mohan shares Pan-Asian tales of all sorts of animals: clever, sneaky, courageous, surprising and funny! Participate on Sunday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.
• Tea and Tarot. Bring your own deck! Practice your skills reading the tarot and meet like-minded people who can share their tarot experiences. There will be tea and tarot-themed book recommendations, too. Join us on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Group. This month we discuss This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Join us online via Zoom on Monday, May 19, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
• Mystery Readers Group. Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) authors and representation in the mystery genre with Menlo Park Library's Mystery Readers Group. Participate online via Zoom on Tuesday, May 20, from 6–7:15 p.m. View the book list and learn more.
• Alzheimer's: Building Foundations of Caregiving. When someone close to you is impacted by Alzheimer's disease, understanding the key aspects of caregiving can help to ensure the delivery of person-centered care while managing your own emotional and physical well-being. Join us on Tuesday, May 27, from 6–7 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. 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!