
Why Come Here
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Learn about San Mateo Park's rich history of civic design and horticulture​
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Get news about San Mateo City news / ordinances that may affect the Park​
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Connect with fellow neighbors
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Get engaged on critical issues
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Lend your voice to shape the future of San Mateo Park
Small Cell Tower (5G Wi-fi) Installation
New Small Cell (5G Wi-Fi) equipment has been scheduled to be installed in San Mateo Park. Five permits have been approved and four more are awaiting approval. READ MORE HERE
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Historical RFP
A decision was made at the San Mateo City Council Meeting on Tuesday Jan 21 2025 to hire a historical consultant - Rincon - to update the City's dated preservation ordinances, and identify historic districts.
Importantly, the councillors opted to insert language that requires homeowner approval before going ahead with historic designations. ​ READ MORE HERE
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From flowering magnolias to cork oak trees, San Mateo Park is a botanical garden and a horticultural dream. In 1896, famed landscape architect John McLaren, designer of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, supervised the planting of native oak and redwood trees, elms, maples, poplars, palms, cedars and olive trees throughout our neighborhood.
The architectural styles in San Mateo Park include works by such renowned architects as Julia Morgan, Bernard Maybeck, and John Howard, representing every vernacular from Queen Anne Victorian, to Arts and Crafts, to period revivals of the 1920's and 30's.
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A Brief History
Winding Streets Punctuated by 62 Planted Islands
The Clark family worked San Mateo Park as a dairy farm and cattle ranch for decades, but the San Francisco elite had other ideas in mind. In 1896, John McLaren, respected landscape architect and designer of Golden Gate Park, along with noted architect George H. Howard, started the development of San Mateo Park. Winding streets were laid out to conform to the gentle rolling terrain and 62 street islands/circles were formed, each to be planted with unique trees. McLaren chose his islands to be graced with classic native California trees of oak and redwood along with Eastern maples, poplars, and exotic tree specimens from around the world including cork oak and olive trees. Read more HERE.

John Mclaren
Landscape Architect
