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2026 August e-newsletter
Building Age-Friendly Communities for Every
Generation
Dear friends,
Nearly a decade ago, I helped launch an effort
based on a simple idea: San Mateo County should be a place where
people can age with dignity, independence and connection. That vision
has grown into one of the most successful countywide Age-Friendly
initiatives in California.
With an initial Measure K investment, and
approximately $1 million in total County Measure K support over the
years, the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence, or CAFE, has helped
transform how our cities plan for a rapidly aging population. Since
July 2018, CAFE has supported 14 San Mateo County cities in becoming
certified and joining AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and
Communities, while developing eight local action plans to help
communities become more livable for people of all ages.
CAFE's work goes beyond a designation. It brings
residents, local governments, nonprofits and community partners
together to examine transportation, housing, accessibility, social
connection, health and other issues that affect our quality of life.
Its mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life
of older adults and people with disabilities through community-driven
planning, direct services and cross-sector collaboration.
Today, the Age-Friendly movement is also an
important part of our broader effort to combat isolation and
loneliness and build stronger connections between neighbors and
generations. The County’s Measure K investments have supported
seniors, people with disabilities and other residents through
programs designed to improve quality of life.
I am proud that an idea we began nearly a decade
ago has grown into a countywide movement. As San Mateo County ages,
we must continue planning not just for longer lives, but for better
lives, where residents can remain active, connected and engaged in the
communities they call home.
See a video on an Age-Friendly workshop in
Brisbane here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnJ7Mp6xo8&list=PLceI4wCiqVySkfQ4tEAbhaEAjZ_tu5ktL&index=1
Celebrating a New Gateway to San Bruno Mountain
I was proud to join our community in celebrating
the ribbon cutting of the new Day Use Improvement Project and
Interpretive Center at San Bruno Mountain County and State Park.
San Bruno Mountain is one of San Mateo County’s
great natural treasures, a place where families, students, hikers and
visitors can experience the outdoors, take in spectacular views and
learn about the unique ecosystems that make this mountain so special.
I was pleased to secure $2 million in Measure K
funding to help get this important project off the ground. Those
dollars have been transformed into a more welcoming, accessible and
educational space for everyone who visits.
The improvements include a new interpretive
pavilion and gathering space, educational displays, nearly two dozen
new picnic tables and BBQ grills, and a larger restroom facility with
four all-gender, ADA-accessible restrooms, sinks and changing tables.
Six of the park’s nine new picnic sites are fully accessible, and a
circular paved pathway connects the sites, making it easier for
people of all abilities to enjoy the park.
The project was also shaped by community input
gathered through surveys in 2022 and 2023, ensuring these
improvements reflect the needs and priorities of the people who use
and love San Bruno Mountain.
This is about more than new buildings and picnic
tables. It is about creating a place where people can gather, learn
about our local environment and build connections with one another
and the outdoors.
I am incredibly proud of this investment and
grateful to San Mateo County Parks, the community and everyone who
helped bring this vision to life. I encourage everyone to visit San
Bruno Mountain and experience this beautiful new space for
themselves.
The above photo is courtesy of San Mateo County
Parks Ranger Rob Cala.
See an NBC report on the ribbon cutting
here: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/upgrades-san-bruno-mountain-state-county-park/4084171/
Caltrain at a Critical Crossroads
Caltrain is one of the Peninsula’s greatest
transportation assets, but it is approaching a serious fiscal cliff
that could have major consequences for San Mateo County residents.
The concern is especially striking because
Caltrain is succeeding. Ridership is growing, customer satisfaction
is strong, and the new electrified system is providing faster,
cleaner and more reliable service. Yet without a stable, long-term
source of funding, Caltrain could face an annual operating deficit of
approximately $75 million and potentially significant service
reductions in the coming years.
The consequences could be dramatic: The
elimination of weekend service, trains running only once an hour,
station closures, earlier service endings and fewer transportation
options for families, workers, students and seniors.
That would mean more cars on Highway 101, more
traffic and more pollution. It would also undermine the tremendous
public investment already made to modernize and electrify this
critical rail system.
As a Caltrain Board member, I believe maintaining
a strong transit system is an investment in our environment, economy
and quality of life. Every person who chooses the train instead of
driving helps reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Caltrain
also connects people to jobs, schools, businesses and communities
throughout the Peninsula.
In November, voters will have a choice regarding
whether to provide dedicated funding for Caltrain's future. That
decision comes at an important moment for the railroad and the
communities it serves.
The question is not whether Caltrain matters, it
clearly does. The challenge before us is how we ensure that this
vital public asset has the financial stability necessary to continue
serving future generations.
Step Back in Time at Rancho Day Fiesta
Families can step back into California’s rancho
era at the annual Rancho Day Fiesta, a free, family-friendly event
hosted by the San Mateo County Historical Association at the historic
Sánchez Adobe in Pacifica.
Visitors will travel back to the 1840s, when Don
Francisco Sanchez raised cattle at Rancho San Pedro, and experience
history through hands-on activities. Kids and adults can make adobe
bricks, stamp leather, dip candles, create corn husk dolls and churn butter.
Guests can also learn how early Californios danced and discover what
daily life was like during the rancho period.
The event is a wonderful opportunity for families
to experience local history in a fun, interactive way and admission
is free. The Sánchez Adobe is a unique piece of San Mateo County’s
history and a great place to introduce young people to our region’s past.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: Noon–4 p.m.
Address: Sánchez Adobe, 1000 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
More information: San
Mateo County Historical Association
In friendship,
DAVID J. CANEPA
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
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Riechel
Reports - City
of San Bruno CA Events and of Interest to San Bruno Residents