It’s been nearly five years in the making, but everyone agreed it was well worth the wait. On May 21, Sunnyvale residents and city leaders gathered for the official re-opening of the community center grounds on East Remington. It was a fitting celebration of a $14 million makeover of one of the city’s most popular public spaces.

“On behalf of the entire Sunnyvale City Council, our City Manager Tim Kirby, and our dedicated city staff, I am incredibly proud to welcome you to the grand reopening of the Sunnyvale Community Center Grounds,” said Mayor Larry Klein, addressing residents who came out for the celebration.

The Community Center opened in 1973, and its community theater has been a gathering place for generations. 

“For over 50 years, generations have gathered here for festivals, for classes, for quiet walks, for celebration, and for the simple joy of being together — often with geese and ducks — in a beautiful public space,” Klein said.

One of the most significant changes was a reconfiguration of the site’s ponds, opening up about two acres of new open space, while still leaving space for the resident geese.

“I’m overjoyed we’re finally reopening this space,” said Klein. “Open space is most important in a city where we’re building housing and high-intensity office space. Creating new open space in the middle of the city, and retaining the features we had previously, is a big accomplishment.”

That new space supplied room for new amenities.

The renovated grounds include separate playgrounds for toddlers and school-aged children, picnic areas, a game zone with ping pong and cornhole, an amphitheater-style seating area, redesigned ponds with cascading water, new walking paths and free public Wi-Fi. Energy-efficient lighting, water-saving irrigation and sustainable recycled plastic furniture all combine to help Sunnyvale meet its sustainability goals.

Feathered stakeholders weren’t forgotten. The goslings are something of a public mascot, and now they have a permanent ladder to help them get out of the pond. 

“I’ve gotten a number of calls that the goslings couldn’t get out of the pond,” Klein explained. “Some residents put boards against the sides of the pond.”

Historic elements of the site were carefully preserved throughout the process, including several pieces of art, the Sunnyvale Veterans Memorial plaque, and the site’s iconic Heritage Valley Oak tree.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee’s chief of staff, Pamela Wu — herself a Sunnyvale resident who lives close to the park — presented a commendation at the ceremony. 

“This is a treasure for all of us,” she said. “This is a park where my kids grew up. I’m very excited to see it.”

The Mayor closed his remarks in a way that befits a park that has long coexisted with its local water fowl. 

“Enjoy the park — and please remember, don’t feed the geese. Or the politicians, for that matter.”