Dear Menlo Park City Council,
I’m writing to share how deeply meaningful the Menlo Park Co-op has been for our family and to urge you to extend its lease for another 10 years, aligning it with the lease terms of Little House.
Our three children attended the Co-op over 20 years ago. We lived nearby and would walk to school and the park each day, simplifying our busy lives with young kids. Those daily walks were not just about convenience – they gave us time to connect as a family and with other parents. The Co-op became our community anchor.
The Co-op is special because it fosters a strong sense of belonging and purpose. As a parent-run, non-profit school, it builds lifelong camaraderie among families. Parents are deeply involved in the daily life of the school, creating a tight-knit group supporting each other through the joys and challenges of raising young children. Even today, we remain close with friends we made there decades ago.
The positive impact on our family was immeasurable. The parent education component strengthened our parenting skills with research-backed talks and workshops. Beyond that, we learned from each other, and many Co-op parents, including myself, went on to become active community leaders, volunteering in schools, nonprofits, and local initiatives. The Co-op has truly been an incubator for engaged citizenship in Menlo Park and surrounding communities.
The Co-op has never been a financial burden to the City. It operates independently without drawing on City resources while adding immense value to the community. It keeps parents of young children connected, less isolated, and engaged. From organizing meal trains for families with new babies to stepping up during crises, the Co-op community takes care of each other and keeps people rooted in Menlo Park.
Please renew the Co-op’s Lease to sustain this vital community resource and extend the Co-op’s lease for another 10 years to ensure that current and future families continue to benefit from this beloved, historic, and irreplaceable resource.
Thank you for your consideration.
Warm regards,
Andrea RalstonOwner of 648 College Ave,Menlo Park, CA
