Community Engagement

Community engagement and civic participation is an important priority for the City and several community engagement options and ongoing communication on city programs, services and events are available to help inform City Council decision-making. The City uses a range of engagement approaches such as online surveys, polls, Annual Community Survey, neighborhood town halls, issue-specific town halls, focus groups, community meetings and workshops, and boards, commissions and City Council meetings. These engagement opportunities also support the implementation of the City’s workplans, and enhance City services and programs. Stay up to date with City news here.

Learn more and join the conversation today.

City Service Feedback

As a learning organization, the City of Palo Alto invites and encourages your feedback. Engage with staff by providing feedback on our customer service, programs, and other services provided to the public.

Palo Alto Digital Forum

The Palo Alto Digital Forum uses ESRI, an ArcGIS platform, to engage through community mapping. The Digital Forum serves as a hub for the community to stay informed, engage, and connect together on key initiatives.

Palo Alto Community Survey

The Palo Alto Community Survey is a community feedback tool that helps the City Council and City staff understand community perspectives on services and programs, as well as unmet needs and priorities.

Neighborhood Town Hall

In partnership together, the City of Palo Alto, City Council, Palo Alto Neighborhoods, and community leaders are hosting a series of town halls to connect, hear about City updates, and gain input on neighborhood issues.

Upcoming Town Halls

The next round of Neighborhood Town Hall meetings is being planned.

2022 - 2025 Town Halls

August 20, 2025

Neighborhoods: Downtown North, University South including Professorville, and Sand Hill Corridor

June 11, 2025

Neighborhoods: Palo Alto Foothills, Esther Clark Park, and Miranda

March 28, 2024

Neighborhoods: Crescent Park, Duveneck/St. Francis, Community Center, and Triple El

October 15, 2023

Neighborhoods: Midtown and Palo Verde

September 24, 2023

Neighborhoods: Leland Manor, Old Palo Alto, and Southgate

June 11, 2023

Neighborhoods: College Terrace, Evergreen, Mayfield, Ventura, and Palo Alto Central

March 26, 2023

Neighborhoods: Greenmeadow, Greendell, Walnut Grove, Fairmeadow, Charleston Meadow, Charleston Garden, Charleston Village, Adobe Meadow, Meadow Park, and Greenhouse

October 2022

Neighborhoods: Barron Park, Barron Square, Greenacres I, Greenacres II, Palo Alto Orchards and Monroe Park

Flyers and Other Resources

Open Town Hall

Open Town Hall is an online forum for civic engagement. You are invited to read what others are saying about important Palo Alto topics, then post your own statement. The comments will be available to City officials making decisions on these topics.

Visit Open Town Hall

Community Engagement Events & Opportunities

Find other engagement events, workshops, and meetings on the City's web calendar. More Hot Topics like Rail Grade Separation, ways to connect, and more can be found here.