Over 120 Palo Alto residents came together on March 19 in the Pavilion at Cubberley Community Center to kick off the Cubberley Master Plan Co-Design process. It was the first of three public meetings set to shape the future of this beloved community space — and the energy in the room made it clear that people care deeply about what happens next. As we look ahead to Community Meeting #2 on June 12 on Cubberley concept plans, we want to share what we heard, what’s happening next, and encourage the community to join the conversation.
What Was Community Meeting #1 All About?
Hosted by the City of Palo Alto with the support of architectural and community engagement firm Concordia, the first Cubberley meeting was designed to spark collaborative, community-driven ideas about what Cubberley should become. The guiding vision statement developed by City Council in February 2025 was that the future community center should be a “vibrant and beloved destination with activities, amenities, and offerings that promote learning, joy, and wellbeing where all cultures and generations belong.”
To help start bringing this vision to life, Concordia introduced their “Nexus thinking” framework — a holistic way to look at the community’s Social, Cultural, Economic, Organizational, Educational, and Physical needs. Residents were guided through two interactive activities facilitated by City staff, Concordia team members, and volunteer Community Fellows.