Library and Community Services Newsletter - Aug. 15, 2026

Aug. 15, 2026

Quote of the week

"The moment when, after many years
of hard work and a long voyage
you stand in the center of your room,
house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,
knowing at last how you got there,
and say, I own this,
is the same moment when the trees unloose
their soft arms from around you,
the birds take back their language,
the cliffs fissure and collapse,
the air moves back from you like a wave
and you can't breathe.
No, they whisper. You own nothing.
You were a visitor, time after time
climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.
We never belonged to you.
You never found us.
It was always the other way round."

– Margaret Atwood, The Moment

Fall Activity – Resident enrollment is today

Learning is an adventure that yields lifelong benefits. The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality classes for all ages at reasonable rates, including fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts and crafts, lifelong learning and more. Enrollment dates have been announced and classes are available to preview. Learn more and preview classes.

Fall activity enrollment opens at 9 a.m.:

Today, Aug. 15, for Menlo Park residents
Wednesday, Aug. 19, for non-residents

New Pool Hours

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, Burgess Pool and Belle Haven Pool will implement new hours that were adopted as part of balancing the City's budget for fiscal year 2026-27. Learn more about the changes to the pool hours or view full pool schedules.

BELLE HAVEN POOL HOURS

Monday–Friday: 3–7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

BURGESS POOL HOURS

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3–8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thurdsay: 6–10 a.m. and noon–8 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

Puppet Performance "Save the Day for Snail"

The final performance in Menlo Park's 9th Annual Summer Puppetry Festival combines live acting with puppets made from reclaimed materials. Children become part of the performance by making the sound effects, joining as puppeteers and helping Gladsy the snail search for a new home. Join us on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Fall Aquatics registration opens tomorrow, Aug. 16

Splash into fall at Menlo Swim & Sport! Registration for Fall Swim Lessons, the Bridge Swim Program and Fall Open Swim Passes at Burgess and Belle Haven Pools opens tomorrow, Aug. 16, at noon. Spots fill quickly! Resident rates are available for Menlo Park residents and scholarships and Belle Haven hyperlocal resident discounts are available at Belle Haven Pool. We hope you'll join us for another season of learning, recreation and fun in the water! Learn more and register.

Reserve a picnic area for your next outdoor celebration

Looking for the perfect picnic area for your next outdoor celebration or gathering? The City of Menlo Park has several picnic areas in beautiful park settings throughout the City, perfect for all kinds of fun in the sun. Check availability and reserve the picnic area of your choice online or by contacting us via email, phone or in person at City recreation facilities. Learn more.

Family Fun Night at Belle Haven Pool

Join us for Family Fun Night at Belle Haven Pool and get your Aloha on! Enjoy a slice of paradise with an evening of water games, music and family fun. No registration is required. All the fun is included with the price of your Open Swim admission! Join us on Friday, Aug. 21, from 5–7 p.m. at Belle Haven Pool, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Should I start a business?

Meet with successful entrepreneurs who know what it's like to start a business from scratch. Learn the basics of business planning, local resources for entrepreneurs, the trade-offs between being an employee and owning your own business, and how to connect with a mentor. Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

eLibrary spotlight – Libby by Overdrive

Your eLibrary offerings have expanded as Libby by Overdrive introduces partner libraries. Peninsula Library System cardholders can now use their existing library cards to access the online MARINet and NorthNet Library System collections to download ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. Browse the full catalog online or download the Libby app and tap 'Add Library' to add the new partner libraries to your account. Visit Overdrive or go directly to the Libby app.

Nature's way at Bedwell Bayfront Park

Bedwell Bayfront Park is Menlo Park's window to San Francisco Bay. This beautiful open space park and preserve is a great way to take in some sun, catch some views and revel in the natural world around us. With 160 acres of open space nestled within the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the park offers a wide range of daytime outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, running, bicycling, dog walking, bird watching, kite flying, photography and hilltop views. The park has an extensive trail system, most of which is unpaved; some park trails are steep and narrow. Park gates open daily at 7 a.m. and close at sundown. All park visitors should follow all rules and safety protocols posted on signage. 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 (ages 6–12). Join us to discuss this month's book: The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber. Participate on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. or Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.
Tea and Tarot. Join us for tea and conversation around the tarot deck. Socialize and practice your skills in reading the tarot. Participate on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Mystery Readers Group. This month, we're reading Japanese mysteries. Join us online via Zoom to discuss on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 6–7:15 p.m. Learn more.
Teen Book Group (ages 12–17). Join us to discuss this month's book, Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C. B. Lee. Participate on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Global Language Storytime: Portuguese. Join us for a special storytime featuring books, rhymes and fun in Portuguese! Participate on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 3:30–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Group. Join our Science-Fiction & Fantasy Book Group online or in person to discuss These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma. Participate online via Zoom or at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., on Monday, Aug. 24, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.
Create Quilt-Inspired Art. Create your own piece of art inspired by traditional quilting patterns or design your own story quilt inspired by Faith Ringgold's Caldecott Honor picture book, Tar Beach. Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 3:30–5 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!

See more free programs