Hawthorns

Hawthorns Public Access Working Group

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Are you passionate about open space preservation and recreation?

Are you interested in shaping ecologically sensitive public access to the Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve?

Do you enjoy participating in working groups and have the compacity to join 5 – 7 in-person meetings every 6 - 8 weeks starting this summer?

The Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is a 79-acre property located within the Town of Portola Valley and owned by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen). The property is currently closed to the public.

Midpen is looking for 6 Interested Area Representatives to join the Hawthorns Public Access Working Group. Working group members will collaborate with Midpen staff, District Ward Stakeholders, and elected official liaisons on a plan to introduce ecologically sensitive public access to the site in a manner consistent with Midpen vision and goals.

The Working Group would evaluate the following public access components:  

  • Parking area and driveway location(s)  
  • Trailhead location(s) and internal trail system  
  • Trail connections with surrounding Town trails and pathways  
  • Opportunities for regional trail connections 
  • Proposed trail uses within the Hawthorns Area  

Please note that Interest Area Representatives would not be currently serving as a member of the Town of Portola Valley Town Council, Architectural & Site Control Commission, Planning Commission, or any other Town Committee that has future advisory or regulatory oversight related to the project when it moves into the permitting phase.

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Application

If you prefer to fill the application in by hand and send it in by mail/ or email, applicants can pick up a copy of the application form from the Midpen Administrative Office front desk located at 5050 El Camino Real Los Altos, CA 94022 or the form can be downloaded from the link below:

Hawthorns Working Group Application Form

Email applications can be sent to clerk@openspace.org or mailed to 5050 El Camino Real Los Altos, CA 94022.

If you wish to fill out the application online, please click the link to apply below.

Apply to Join Today!
Public Access, Education, and Outreach
Public Access
Public Access Working Group Recruitment Timeline (Subject to Change)
May 1- June 11, 2023Interest Area Representative recruitment period. 
May 15, 2023Virtual community meeting to share information and answer technical questions from the public on the application process. 
June 21,2023 (IN PERSON interviews at Special Board meeting)Interview and select members for the open Interest Area Representative seats on the Hawthorns Public Access Working Group.   
June 28, 2023 (Board Meeting)Appoint all members to the Hawthorns Public Access Working Group and form the Working Group.  
July 28, 2023Working Group orientation and kick-off meeting.

Documents and Reports

Community Information Meeting on Working Group Application Process

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Procedural Guide and Ground Rules

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Application Form

Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group Review Criteria

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