Community Programs

There are so many programs available to San Mateans to improve your safety and quality of life. Here are some to take advantage of:

Free Parks and Recreation Street Tree Planting Program

Would you like to have a beautiful, free tree planted for you in front of your home? You may be able to with Parks and Recreation’s Street Tree Planting Program. It is a benefit to all San Mateans as more trees not only beautify our city but also cool it down. So, please check out the program and sign up soon. The program runs November-March while supplies last.

Free Sandbags and Winter Storm Tips

The City provides free sandbags at three locations to help residents protect their homes from winter storms:

• Corp Yard - 1949 Pacific Blvd.

• Beresford Park Parking Lot - 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas

• Anchor Road/Bay Trail Parking Lot - Anchor Rd at 3rd Ave./J. Hart Clinton Drive

There are a few simple rules to take advantage of this great benefit:

• MAXIMUM 10 bags per vehicle can be taken

• MUST be a San Mateo resident or Property Owner (be prepared to show proof of residency/ownership)

• BRING your own shovel & heavy-duty trash bags - Sand and bags will be provided based on availability - bring your own heavy-duty trash bags in case bags run out.

• MUST be able to fill the bags yourself (these are self-serve locations)

The program will stop in the spring and begin again every late autumn.

The City hosts a robust page on storm preparedness. Check it out and act on the tips:

https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/1938/Storm-Flood-Preparedness

El Camino Real in Burlingame

Finally, while this is not a “program,” you should be aware that, over the next two years, Caltrans will be doing extensive work on El Camino Real to improve the safety of the roadway and sidewalks.

The large eucalyptus trees that give that area such charm also are responsible for great problems in the road and sidewalks, as anyone who has travelled there by car or foot will know. Their oils also make them a fire risk.

After several years of study, Caltrans will be removing most of these trees and replacing them with other appropriate trees that won’t grow as massive, do as much damage or be as great a fire risk. While this ultimately will be very good news, the El Camino Real corridor in Burlingame will be very disrupted during this time. So start planning alternative routes now!