FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan McCauley
650-772-3644, rmccauley@openspace.org
Midpen Open Space Board will appoint new director to fill vacancy
Los Altos, CA — The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s board of directors voted at a public meeting October 14, to fill the remainder of Director Jed Cyr’s term by appointment rather than by calling a special election in Santa Clara County. A special election would have cost taxpayers an estimated $2.1-3.4 million. Director Cyr recently announced he was stepping down from Midpen’s board of directors, effective October 15.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is a public land management agency spanning parts of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties with the mission of preserving, restoring and providing ecologically sensitive access to a regional greenbelt of open space. It is governed by seven publicly elected directors serving four-year terms and each representing a geographic area or “wards” within Midpen’s service area. Cyr was first elected to the board of directors, representing the City of Sunnyvale, in 1996 and has been reelected and served continuously since then.
Midpen Directors help set strategic direction for the agency, overseeing policies, annual budgets and work plans. Board members strive to support the agency's mission while engaging in respectful dialogue and deliberation with fellow board members, staff and the public.
Director Cyr voted to establish Midpen in 1972, and has been a dedicated preserve user since they became available for public access. During his tenure, Director Cyr has championed providing access for multiple uses in a balanced manner and improving access for all residents. Now retired, Cyr taught in the social sciences field at the middle school level in Sunnyvale for 37 years.
During Cyr’s nearly three decades of leadership on the board, Midpen achieved landmark milestones in regional land conservation, habitat restoration and public access. Under his tenure, the agency expanded to the San Mateo County Coastside, protecting more than 32,000 additional acres. Midpen completed several major public access projects during his board service including the opening of Mount Umunhum Summit, establishing Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and connecting 80 miles of continuous Bay Trail through the Ravenswood Trail Project.
Members of the public interested in applying for Cyr’s open board seat must be 18 years or older, and be registered voters residing in Ward 3, which includes Sunnyvale and parts of Cupertino. Those interested can determine if they are registered in Ward 3 using this interactive map.
Applications are available at the Midpen Administrative Office at 5050 El Camino Real in Los Altos, or online at openspace.org/ward-3. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 6, 2026. Public interviews will take place November through December, and the person appointed will hold office until January 1, 2029 when this board seat will be up for public election again.
One other Midpen board seat will appear on the upcoming November 3 general election ballot. Local voters are deciding who will represent Ward 1, which covers Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Lexington Hills and parts of Cupertino.