News Room

Redwood City, California — Today, Redwood City marked the start of construction on the Hoover Park Renovation Project with a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating a major investment in one of the community’s key neighborhood parks. The project will transform a 3.5-acre portion of Hoover Park, one of Redwood City’s largest park complexes, with new recreational amenities, improved accessibility, and upgraded community gathering spaces. This project represents the largest park renovation Redwood City has undertaken in more than 30 years.

“Today is a great example of what it means to invest in a neighborhood, in families, and in the public spaces that bring people together. Parks matter because they are where community happens,” said Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos. “When this work is complete, Hoover Park will offer new opportunities that better serve the people who use this park every day. These are the kinds of investments that help strengthen quality of life and show residents that their neighborhood matters.”  

Construction on the renovation project began in January 2026 and focuses on the traditional park area at Hoover Park. Located between Spring Street, Charter Street, Woodside Road, and Hilton Street, Hoover Park is a shared site between Redwood City and the Redwood City School District. Construction is expected to conclude in January 2027. 

Originally built in 1966, Hoover Park has seen various amenity updates over the years. The current renovation will add a new splash pad and water spray play feature, fitness court, pickleball courts, a turf volleyball court, multiple playgrounds, dog play areas, and enhanced spaces for families and neighbors to gather, play, and connect. 

The Hoover Park Renovation Project is funded through an $11 million investment, including $4.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a $6.4 million investment from the City of Redwood City. 

Federal CDBG support originated from one-time program income generated through the sale of 1306 Main Street, creating an opportunity to reinvest those funds in Hoover Park. The transaction also resulted in 22 new affordable replacement units and additional funding to support 94 more affordable homes for low-income residents. 

The project reflects a partnership between Redwood City and the Redwood City School District, with input from community partners and neighborhood leaders. Throughout the planning process, Redwood City also engaged Hoover School, the Boys & Girls Club, PAL, and neighborhood association chairs from Friendly Acres, Redwood Village, and Stambaugh-Heller. Community feedback emphasized safety, cleanliness, accessibility, and improvements that would make the park more inviting, active, and connected to the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Renovation design was also developed through outreach and survey work in 2023, with more than 70 percent of community responses supporting the preferred concept featuring a larger water spray and play area. The construction contract for the project was approved in November 2025.   

More information and project updates are available at rwcparks.org/hooverparkproject. 

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About the City of Redwood City: The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood City is the third largest city within the County of San Mateo, with 85,992 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: "Climate Best by Government Test.” Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county's old courthouse) and the only active deep-water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city's vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors, and businesses a unique retail, entertainment, and restaurant experience.