San Mateo Invites Residents to Show Their Love for Central Park

San Mateo’s Central Park takes center stage during the month of March.  Through the “Heart <3 Your Park” campaign, sponsored by Macy’s and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the San Mateo community can make a donation towards San Mateo’s signature park while shopping at Hillsdale Macy’s beginning March 7th through March 31st. 

San Mateo’s Central Park is the local beneficiary of the “Heart <3 Your Park” campaign that will support select parks across the country.  You can easily make a donation while shopping at Macy’s.  Simply let the cashier know that you want to support San Mateo’s Central Park and your donation will be added to the transaction.  Your donation of $1.00 or more will be matched dollar for dollar, and Macy’s will contribute up to $250,000 to parks during this nationwide campaign. Visit www.macys.com/parks for more information.

“We are excited to be part of this campaign,” says Sheila Canzian, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of San Mateo.  “The San Mateo community shares many fond memories of Central Park, and your contributions will support many of the amenities and features that have grown in meaning over the years.  Your donations are greatly appreciated, and will help to ensure that Central Park will bring much enjoyment to San Mateo for years to come.”       

The “Heart <3 Your Park”  campaign is timely as the City is beginning to focus its attention on the Central Park Master Plan, a document that will guide future improvements and redevelopment within the park.  The Parks and Recreation Department is beginning to initiate the public outreach process and encourages the community’s involvement and participation. 

Your donations to the “Heart <3 Your Park” campaign will support the Japanese Tea Garden, the Central Park Music Series, and its play area.   However, your input to the Central Park Master Plan is equally valuable, and the process will fall short without your ideas.  Participate by signing up for the new Central Park Master Plan listserve at http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/list.aspx.  Or, join the online discussion at www.SanMateoTownHall.org to help shape Central Park’s future. 

Parks are valuable community assets and provide many benefits - some of which support the general economic health of our community.  As the national park system recovers from the recent Federal shutdown, it’s important to remember that Central Park’s community events, visitors, and features including the Japanese Tea Garden have a direct impact on Downtown San Mateo, and is one of the reasons many businesses locate in our community. 

According to a statement released by the Interior Department on Monday and reported in an article by the Associated Press, the shutdown of the Federal government cost National parks and surrounding communities an estimated $414 million in lost visitor spending. 

Thousands of people visit Central Park each year and in turn support downtown restaurants and many local businesses.  The “Heart <3 Your Park” campaign comes at a time when funding for parks is not only limited, but needed.  While shopping at Macy’s throughout the month of March, please keep Central Park in mind and make a donation to help sustain many of its features and amenities.