New Year's resolutions: Check out these 5 activities

Published on January 10, 2025

Resolve to check out these activities in the new year!

1. Go outside more
2. Join an online book group
3. Focus on fitness
4. Sign up for winter swim lessons
5. Stay informed, get involved!

New Year’s resolution #1: Go outside more 

The City of Menlo Park is home to an abundance of beautiful parks and open spaces including nature preserves, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports parks and everything in between. Get some quality nature time at Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge and the new Flyway Trail at Bedwell Bayfront Park. Drop in and shred with steez at the Skate Park. Give your furry friend some play time at the new Willow Oaks Dog Park. In the new year, go outside and visit them all! See a map and descriptions of all the parks.

New Year’s resolution #2: Join an online book group

Do you love to read and talk about books but would like to do it more often? The City of Menlo Park’s online book groups are a great way to stay motivated and get more enjoyment from reading. The City of Menlo Park hosts four online book discussion groups per month:

• Fiction Book Group – Second Tuesday 
• Melanated Women Read – First Monday 
• Mystery Readers Group – Third Wednesday 
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy group – Fourth Monday 

For more details, including dates and times, upcoming featured titles and lists of books recommended by book group participants, visit our webpage and click the “Book Groups” tab.

New Year’s resolution #3: Focus on fitness

Did you know that the City of Menlo Park offers a wide range of classes for fitness, health and wellness? We offer yoga, strength training, swimming, martial arts, boxing, Zumba, ballroom dance, stress management, handcrafts, sports and more. Don’t miss the brand new drop-in fitness center and weight room at Belle Haven Community Campus, conveniently located next to the Belle Haven Pool and the running track at Kelly Park. Classes for every age and skill level are taught by seasoned instructors in a welcoming and supportive environment. Want to take your fitness game to the next level in the new year? More challenging options are available, too. Check out the activity guide to learn more and sign up.

New Year’s resolution #4: Sign up for winter swim lessons

Winter is a surprisingly good time to swim. City of Menlo Park swimming pools are heated and swim lessons are taught by skilled instructors in a supportive learning environment. Lessons are available for every skill level and typically occur once per week. Learn more and sign up.

New Year's resolution #5: Stay informed, get involved!

The City of Menlo Park provides numerous ways for residents to get information, stay informed, and participate in decision-making about City services and programs.

• The City produces multiple weekly email newsletters with timely updates and information on a wide range of topics straight to your inbox.
• Our social media channels regularly post important updates and information to help you stay informed and join the conversation in real time.
• The City produces and distributes a wide array of printed postcards, flyers, notices, banners and signs to help keep you informed about activities and topics of interest.
• Dozens of community meetings, workshops, surveys and focus groups are conducted each year to hear directly from residents about issues you care about.
• The City Council holds regular public meetings where resident participation is highly encouraged through in-person comments, virtual participation, and via email, among other touchpoints. 
• The City welcomes residents' active participation through submitting feedback and by serving on a city commission or committee.

Your city government is here to serve you, and we want to hear from you. This year, resolve to take advantage of the many ways to stay informed about your city government, and make time, if you can, to get involved!