Live: Health, Safety and Sustainability
Kentfield Commons Park
The Kentfield Commons Park and Common areas have been maintained in an Environmentally Sustainable manner since 2015.
- The Coast Redwood Trees growing in our park only grow in one place on Earth - here on the Pacific coast from Big Sur to southern Oregon. We have some of the healthiest redwood trees in the area. Redwood trees are home to Red Tailed Hawks, Stellar Jays, and Townsend Big Eared Bats and a number of unique animals. Learn more about Coast Redwoods and the diversity life we support by protecting redwoods. We keep redwood trees healthy by letting the redwood duff accumulate to form a thick layer of natural mulch. This protects the trees roots and keeps them cool and moist in the summer. See California's Majestic Coast Redwoods
- We have native, drought tolerant, mediterranean plants that naturally thrive in our climate. These plants were planted in areas where they can grow to their natural size without being hedged. This plant selection and plant care, keeps the plants healthy, extends the plant life, and helps us maintain an healthy ecosystem during droughts.
- Lights that shine up into the sky are turned off from dusk to dawn during bird migration periods to minimize light pollution: February 15 through May 31 and August 15 through November 30.
- Grass clippings are shredded with mulching mowers so they can compost in place to maintain soil health and fertility.
- Irrigation is carefully monitored to prevent all of the problems associated with overwatering.
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other chemical controls are only used in emergencies, as a last resort. This keeps pollutants out of the San Francisco Bay and keeps the park a safe space for children, pets, and adults of all ages.
The HOA is responsible for keeping the community in compliance with all health and safety standards. It has a duty to “maintain the park and common areas to Redwood City Park standards.” CC&Rs
Landscapers (including the Association's landscapers) used to claim that pesticides such as Roundup where of low toxicity, inert once dried, and safe to use. Years later it has become apparent that many pesticides that were once deemed safe are causing serious illness. Roundup stays active in the soil for at least 6 months. Exposure to glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) increases an individual’s risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41%.
As a result of these discoveries, many communities and school districts including Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Redwood City have adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans that either do not rely on chemical controls, or only use them as a last resort. The Association has followed suit to meet it's responsibility to protect residents from these health hazards.
In 2015, the Kentfield Commons board: 1) Adopted the policy below to minimize the pesticide use in the park and shared common areas. 2) Created a protocol to inform homeowners before spaying individual lots. This benefits the association by reducing or eliminating potential injuries and litigation.
Pesticide Policy for Park and Common Areas: In the interest of keeping the park accessible to everyone including children, the elderly, and other individuals who cannot be exposed to certain chemicals, the park and common areas are maintained without the use of registered pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. These chemicals are only used in emergency situations as a last resort.
If it becomes necessary to apply these chemicals, homeowners will be notified at least 7 days in advance. The application site will be clearly marked before, during, and after the application.
Keeping the community in compliance with city standards and abreast of sustainable landscaping practices as our collective understanding of ecosystems grows and evolves requires sustained effort. We appreciate our landscapers careful attention. See Protocols for Landscape Contractors.
We are happy to have an Environmentally Sustainable park that is maintained with minimal toxicity to humans, wildlife and pets. It gives parents and residents of all ages peace of mind as they enjoy the park with their friends, children, grandchildren, and pets.
Park Updates:
Updates about the Kentfield Commons Park and other shared common areas are posted here to provide the community with health and safety information, and promote more accountability in the community.
Health and Safety Notice: On Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 homeowners found a Brightview Tree Service agent preparing to spray an unknown pesticide in the park. The homeowner told the Brightview agent that homeowners were not notified, and asked him to wait until the proper protocols could be followed. The agent agreed to wait and loaded the materials back into his truck.
A few minutes later the Brightview agent came back and said "Roberta" told his boss to proceed with the pesticide application despite homeowner concerns. The homeowner told the agent that Roberta was not a board member, and asked the Agent to wait, The agent told the homeowner to back away. He said his orders were clear; homeowners should "contact Roberta" if they had any issues with the work.
A few minutes later the Brightview agent came back and said "Roberta" told his boss to proceed with the pesticide application despite homeowner concerns. The homeowner told the agent that Roberta was not a board member, and asked the Agent to wait, The agent told the homeowner to back away. He said his orders were clear; homeowners should "contact Roberta" if they had any issues with the work.
The Brightview agent sprayed the chemicals and did not leave any signs indicating what was sprayed. It rained 5 minutes later.
The Board of Directors confirmed at the May 9, 2023 board meeting that the HOA has no intention of changing the Pesticide Policy for the Park and Common areas that have been in place since 2015. They were not aware that the pesticides would be sprayed in the park.
The Board of Directors confirmed at the May 9, 2023 board meeting that the HOA has no intention of changing the Pesticide Policy for the Park and Common areas that have been in place since 2015. They were not aware that the pesticides would be sprayed in the park.
- Homeowners have been told that the tree was sprayed with "a fungicide".
- No one has been told exactly what was sprayed or how long this material remains active in the soil.
Health and Safety Notice: On Thursday, May 4th, 2023 several parents saw Gachina agents spraying something on the grassy areas in the park.
The Board of Directors confirmed at the May 9, 2023 meeting that the HOA has no intention of changing the Pesticide Policy for the Park and Common areas that have been in place since 2015. They were not aware that the pesticides would be sprayed in the park.
- Homeowners have been told it was "a herbicide designed to kill broadleaf plants."
- No one has been told exactly what chemicals were sprayed.
Sustainability/ Property Damage: On Thursday, September 9th 2021. Homeowners saw the landscapers cutting these Breath of Heaven Plants on the North side of the park. Homeowners immediately notified Roberta Landers a Landscape Committee volunteer and asked her to stop the work since only a few had been cut. Roberta Landers walked out into the park. Saw the work being done, and left without asking the landscapers to stop or make any adjustments.
The Associations landscape manager, a professional horticulturist and arborist, said that he told Roberta Landers that Breath of Heaven Plants should never be topped, cut, or trimmed. She ordered the crew to cut them anyway. Board members sent statements showing that they were not aware that this would be done. They did not authorize this work. Roberta Landers later sent a statement blaming the landscapers for "cutting too much." The Landscapers confirmed that they told Roberta Landers that Breath of Heaven should never be trimmed or cut at all.
The Associations landscape manager, a professional horticulturist and arborist, said that he told Roberta Landers that Breath of Heaven Plants should never be topped, cut, or trimmed. She ordered the crew to cut them anyway. Board members sent statements showing that they were not aware that this would be done. They did not authorize this work. Roberta Landers later sent a statement blaming the landscapers for "cutting too much." The Landscapers confirmed that they told Roberta Landers that Breath of Heaven should never be trimmed or cut at all.
May 15, 2023:
We hope to see environmentally and fiscally responsible management of the parks and shared common areas.
Free Little Library
We have a Free Little Library in the park. The bottom shelf is for children's books and top shelf for adult books. Donations are appreciated! Please wait until there is room in the library to donate books - do not leave books outside the little library.
Nancy Davidson is the contact person for the Free Little Library: Nancy Davidson, 903 Whitehall Lane, (650) 365-6774
A big thank you to neighbors Andy King and long-time volunteer Nancy Davidson for creating this beautiful library for the community.
Nancy Davidson is the contact person for the Free Little Library: Nancy Davidson, 903 Whitehall Lane, (650) 365-6774
A big thank you to neighbors Andy King and long-time volunteer Nancy Davidson for creating this beautiful library for the community.
Please note: This is website is not affiliated with the Kentfield Commons HOA. Members looking for HOA information should visit the HOA's portal or website or contact the association manager and/or board-members.