The City of Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department is entering the planning stages for the renovation of the Village Park Playground, funded through the City's Capital Improvement Program. The improvements have a specified budget and will be contained to the playground area only and won't encompass the basketball court, picnic tables, preschool building and/or fields.  A Village Park Playground Committee comprised of neighbors, Parks and Recreation Staff, a landscape architect, and Parks and Recreation Commissioners, will be meeting in mid-February to evaluate playground designs. We anticipate construction to commence in early June and the playground to reopen by mid-August.

 

Please take this short survey to provide your input regarding potential playground equipment and amenities. The survey will be available until Friday, February 5.  We thank you in advance for your assistance! If you have any questions about his project, please call the Parks & Recreation Department at (650) 558-7300.

 

Burlingame is one of several cities where homeowners may be eligible for the 2016 Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program where homeowners can apply for up to $3,000 in funding for retrofits to protect their home. Those interested can visit www.EarthquakeBraceBolt.com  to apply. The deadline is February 20.

The coming of the New Year has provided our state with much needed rainfall, with Burlingame receiving over five inches to date! This wet season, however, does not mark the end of California's drought. The City strongly encourages its residents and local business owners to continue to practice water conservation techniques.  See some tips below!

 

It is generally recommended to adjust outdoor irrigation practices according to weather patterns throughout the year.  During this time of year, outdoor plants will receive plenty of water from rain, so please make sure sprinklers and other outdoor irrigation systems are either shut down or used on a very limited basis.

 

Use rainwater as a resource! Rainwater capturing can be very useful for watering indoor and outdoor plants and has many other creative uses. Rainwater catchment systems are affordable and easy to set up, and will provide lasting savings on water bills if properly maintained.

  

For more tips and information on water conservation, please visit burlingame.org/drought.

Last year, the City of Burlingame received a $1M Measure A grant from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to study alternatives for a Broadway grade separation project.  The purpose of the project is to alleviate chronic traffic congestion and safety issues related to the at-grade railroad crossing along the Broadway corridor.

Public workshops were held on March 11 and  September 16 last year to engage the community and collect input about the project. City Staff studied alternatives and cost estimates for each the six potential project alternatives that were developed.

Starting February 1, The Princess Project, in partnership with Burlingame Youth Advisory Committee and Burlingame High School Students in Action, are seeking new or gently used formal gowns and accessories for deserving young teens looking for a perfect prom dress. Dresses can be dropped off at the Recreation Center, during the month of February. For more information, contact Nicole Rath at (650) 558-7308.

Do you have a child that is ready to begin preschool this Fall?  The Village Park Preschool Enrollment Lottery will be held for Burlingame residents on Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm at the Recreation Center.  For more information on this program and to pre-register for the lottery, please click here.

The ornamental 'Aristocrat' Pear trees along Broadway Avenue in the business area have been suffering from fire blight.  This vascular disease will kill the trees over time.  In addition, the Carrotwoods in the bulb outs at each intersection have been challenging to manage. Their broad canopies obscure pedestrian visibility and make them prone to damage by passing trucks.

City staff has been working with the Broadway Business Improvement District's ("BID") Board of Directors to determine the best way to resolve these issues.  After several meetings, the Broadway BID Board approved of the following plan.  As each 'Aristrocrat' Pear dies, it will be replaced by the disease resistant 'Redspire' Pear.  An example of a newly planted 'Redspire' pear can be seen in front of 1327 Broadway. The Carrotwoods will be removed in unison and replaced with Crape Myrtles.  The Crape Myrtle tree was chosen for its upright growth that will not hinder views of businesses and pedestrians and its bright flowers that will add color to the Avenue.

This proposal will be heard by the Beautification Commission on February 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center at 850 Burlingame Ave.  The community will have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, correspondence can be sent to the Beautification Commission at 850 Burlingame Avenue or gborba@burlingame.org. 

Have you dreamed of starting your own retail business? Are you interested in learning about the basics to opening and operating a retail shop? The San Mateo Small Business Development Center has an upcoming free event "Launching Your Retail Dream! A Path to Growth" that will provide you knowledge and training in four categories of business planning: Marketing, Management, Finance, and Operations. Once your training is completed, participants will be able to apply for start-up capital, have a vetted business model, and be able to launch their very own small business. If you are interested, you can register here. Additional resources for new or existing businesses can also be found on the City's Economic Development webpage by clicking here.

This event, in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Committee, will have a DJ, black lights, games, snacks and glow items for purchase as well as an 8th grade exclusive VIP Lounge! This event is open to any and all 6^th thru 8^th graders (with proof of current school ID).  Wristbands for entry will be available for sale for $8 in advance on January 28 and 29 after school at BIS. As well as at the Recreation Center from 3-7pm on the 28th and 29th. Wristbands can be purchased at the door, but will set you back $10, so get yours before it's too late! For more information, contact Nicole Rath at (650) 558-7308.

Members of the community are invited to come to the City's annual Goal Setting Session for fiscal year 2016-2017. The session will include an overview of the City's five primary goals, an update from the City's Department Heads on key successes and initiatives completed to date, and a discussion among the City Council, staff and the community on unfunded improvement initiatives.

Join us at the Burlingame Public Library for this special event for all ages. The Love Your Library Event celebrates libraries and books and features a beautifully decorated library to match the festivities of the evening.  The event will also feature a jazz band with dancing, tasty treats, crafts, face painting, a photo booth and more.  For more information, call the Children's Desk at (650) 558-7400, ext. 3.

Active Adults (age 55+) are invited to our Valentine's Dance.  We will have a DJ, dance lessons, snacks, and refreshments.  This is a free event, but please RSVP by calling (650) 558-7300.  Thank you to our Burlingame Youth Advisory Committee for hosting this event.  We look forward to celebrating this enchanting holiday with you!

Please join the Beautification Commission and celebrate the 37th annual Arbor Day Celebration. Staff from Cal Fire, School Students and more will be participating in the ceremony. The City of Burlingame has been distinguished as a "Tree City USA" for 37 years - the fourth longest in the state.

The Parks Division, with Recology, will be offering another Compost Give Away.  Residents need to bring their own shovel and are eligible for 2 large garbage cans full of compost. For further information please contact the Parks Division office at (650) 558-7330.

The Burlingame Historical Society presents: Burlingame Jeopardy! Play along, win prizes and have fun! The Historical Society will use images from its permanent collection to test the audience's sleuthing ability while discovering Burlingame past and present.  This event is free and open to the public.