City of Palo Alto Website

Can I reserve the picnic area?
The picnic area is first come, first serve. However, groups of 25 people or more require a permit. Music must be kept low; all trash must be placed in the trash cans or removed; hammocks are not allowed, you must use only provided barbeque pits; and only charcoal may be used (please allow charcoal to burn completely out. Do not put hot coals in the garbage cans or on the ground).

How big of a group can I bring to the Baylands?
Groups of 25 or more require a permit. Call 650-617-3156 for information.

Where can I let my dog off leash?
There are off-leash areas at Mitchell Park and Greer Park in Palo Alto.

Where can I fish in the Baylands?
The fishing areas are the sides of the levee in front of the Nature Center and out by the Tide Gate. All Fish and Game laws apply. You may only fish with one pole in the bay.

Can I bring my motorized scooter to the Baylands?
Motorized scooter, motorcycles, go-carts, and any other motorized vehicle are prohibited from all trails.

Can I bring a school class to the Baylands?
School groups can make arrangements for programs with the naturalist at 650-329-2506.

Can I collect plants and animals from the Baylands?
Everything in the Baylands Nature Preserve is protected. You may not collect anything from the preserve. Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Where can I find a list of your interpretive programs?
Our programs are listed in the Enjoy! catalog, which can be obtained at any of Palo Alto's community centers, Jr. Museum, or the Nature Center.

Can I feed wildlife at the Baylands?
Feeding wildlife is discouraged. It disturbs the bird's balanced natural diet, disrupts migration, causes over crowding, competition and stress, and spreads diseases. If you must feed animals please limit your feeding to duck feed and only at the duck pond. Lettuce, cornbread or duck food (grain) from a pet store provides much better nutrition for the bird's health than white bread and rolls.

Can I drop off animals that I find or no longer can care for at the Baylands?
You may call Animal Services at (650) 496-5971 to inquire about having your un-wanted animal adopted. You may not release any animals at the Baylands. Releasing animals at the Baylands will result in a fine (P.A.M.C. 22.04.250).

How do I buy tickets to Children’s Theatre performances?
You may purchase tickets through the Children’s Theatre Box Office. The Box Office is open Tue-Sat, 1:30-6:00pm. Tickets may be purchased in person with a Visa, MasterCard, cash, or check, or over the phone at (650) 463-4970 with a Visa or MasterCard.

How do I try out for a Children’s Theatre play?
To audition for a play, you must generally be 8 years old through high school. If you’d like to try out, you need to come to the Children’s Theatre on at least one of the scheduled audition dates and fill out a try out card. There is no need to sign up in advance or make an appointment for an audition. The Children’s Theatre staff will provide you with all of the materials necessary for the audition. Auditions may consist of one or more of the following activities: cold reading of text from the play, individual or group improvisation, singing and dancing (for musical productions).

How old do you have to be to try out for a Children’s Theatre play?
Auditions for the School Year Season and the Hot Dog Suppertime shows are open to ages 8 through High School, unless otherwise noted. The Children’s Theatre also offers classes for ages 4 through high school, and the Wingspread summer stock program for 16-24 year olds.

How do I participate in the Wingspread summer stock program?
You may audition for Wingspread if you are 16 to 24 years old, or if you have completed all four levels of the Summer Conservatory. Those auditioning must prepare two contrasting 1-minute monologues, 16-48 bars of music, and should bring a headshot and resume of theatre experience. The Children’s Theatre generally holds auditions for the Wingspread company in April and May. You may schedule an audition appointment by calling the Children’s Theatre at (650) 463-4930.

How do I sign up for Children’s Theatre classes?
Registration for Children’s Theatre classes is done through the City of Palo Alto Community Services Department. Please check the quarterly Enjoy! catalogue for class information and registration numbers. You may mail in your registration or register in person at the Lucie Stern Center at 1305 Middlefield Road, the Art Center at 1313 Newell Road, or the Junior Museum at 1451 Middlefield Road. You may also register over the phone at (650) 463-4900, or online at www.paenjoy.org. Registration for the Summer Conservatory and some workshops is done through the Children’s Theatre.

How do I volunteer for the Children’s Theatre?
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Children’s Theatre at (650) 463-4930. Volunteers help in many areas of the Children’s Theatre, including sewing costumes, building & painting sets, baking & selling brownies at performances, assembling programs, and inputting computer data.

How do I get to the Children’s Theatre?
The Children’s Theatre is located in the Lucie Stern Community Center Complex, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94301. From Hwy 101, exit Embarcadero Road West. Continue down Embarcadero Road for about 5 stoplights, until you reach Middlefield Road. Turn Right onto Middlefield Road, and continue going north for one block until you reach Melville Ave. The Lucie Stern Center is located on the right hand side. As you look into the U-shaped courtyard, the Children’s Theatre is on your left hand side.

Where can I park for the Children’s Theatre?
Patrons of the Children’s Theatre may park in the public parking lot located between the Lucie Stern Community Center and the Junior Museum on Middlefield Road. There is also street parking near the Lucie Stern Center.

How do I get on the Children’s Theatre email list?
If you would like to be included in our email distribution list to find out about Children’s Theatre auditions, performances, events, classes, and newsletters, please send an email to childrens.theatre@cityofpaloalto.org and include "email list" in the subject line. We do not make our email list available to any other groups or individuals.

How do I get on the Children’s Theatre mailing list?
You may sign up for our regular "snail mail" list in person at the Children’s Theatre front desk, or you may contact Richard Curtis at (650) 463-4970 to be added to the mailing list. We do not make our mailing list available to any other groups or individuals.

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