Guest opinion: A pitch for 24-hour access to Mountain View’s parks

I am concerned about limited access to Mountain View’s public parks and trails. Currently, parks are only open from 6:00 AM to a half hour after sunset, which varies widely throughout the seasons. This is a significant restriction, especially for people who work outside of the traditional 9–5 workday.

Many low income families have two working parents, and their children may not have access to parks and trails during the day. Many older apartment buildings in Mountain View lack air conditioning, so many residents rely on parks to cool off at night, especially during heat waves.

The current hours seem to be designed exclusively for people working a “regular” 9–to-5 job. These inconsistent hours disproportionately affect low income families, who are more likely to work outside of the traditional work day. If someone gets off work late, they are excluded from an essential public service in Mountain View.

Mountain View should allow all-hours access to its parks and trails to benefit all residents, regardless of their income or work schedules. Why should it be legal for someone to go to the park after work in the summer, but not in the winter, due to the seasonally changing length of days?

Some may have concerns about vandalism or crime, or have other fears about all-hours access. These concerns are unfounded. The city can still enforce existing laws against camping, lighting fires, writing graffiti, and violating noise ordinances, even if the parks are open 24 hours a day. The city can always increase nighttime ranger patrols in our parks and trails, if necessary. However, it should not be illegal to simply enjoy a public space at a certain time of day.

Others may worry about the safety of people using the parks and trails at night. However, the benefits of all-hours access outweigh the risks. Parks and trails are important places for people to exercise, relax, and connect with nature. They should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their schedule.

All-hours access to trails would also be beneficial for cyclists. Many cyclists use trails to commute to work or school, and they should not be forced to ride on unsafe streets at night, especially when safe alternatives exist. Specifically, the Stevens Creek Trail and Permanente Creek Trail are important cycling routes for many Mountain View residents. These trails are well-maintained and popular routes, and they provide a safe and enjoyable way to get around the city.

I urge the city to allow all-hours access to Mountain View’s parks and trails as part of the ongoing Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan. This would be a positive step for our community and would make our parks and trails more accessible to everyone, including cyclists and working families. Let’s increase equity for all residents. Please take the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan survey at ImagineMVParks.com and advocate for all-hours access to parks and trails in the “other comments” section. Your comments can make a difference.

Jesse Cupp is a resident of the Greater San Antonio area in Mountain View