Projects

The Orchard View Courtyard at the Los Altos Library

A Flexible Outdoor Gathering Space with Heritage Orchard Views

Architectural rendering of a library courtyard with a pergola, shaded seating, landscaped greenery, and people gathering outdoors. Architectural rendering of a library terrace with outdoor seating, accessible walkways, landscaped plantings, and trees.

Architect and artistic renderings: final design subject to change.

The new Orchard View Courtyard at the Los Altos Library will offer a welcoming outdoor destination where the community can gather, learn, and connect year-round.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the space will accommodate everything from library programs and small events to quiet reading and casual conversation, with seating for up to 125 people and room for standing gatherings as well.

Thoughtful design elements include outdoor Wi-Fi, built-in power for devices, state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, and adjustable shading that allows the space to adapt to changing light and weather.

Glass fencing preserves unobstructed views of the historic apricot Los Altos Heritage Orchard, honoring Los Altos' history while creating a modern, inviting place for shared community experiences.

The Endowment gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Hsun and Aiko Chou, whose significant contribution helped make this important community investment possible.

Aiko and Hsun Chou holding hands standing in front of the Los Altos Library
Hsun and Aiko Chou

Project completion estimate: End of 2026.

Woodland Branch Terrace & Native Habitat NOW OPEN

Expanding & Enhancing the Library Experience Outdoors

Photograph of the newly-opened Woodland Library terrace showing colorful tables and umbrellas.

LOS ALTOS, CA — August 15, 2026 — More than 350 residents, community leaders, city officials, and supporters gathered Saturday to celebrate the opening of the new Woodland Library Terrace and Native Habitat, transforming previously unused space behind the Woodland Branch Library into a welcoming outdoor destination for reading, learning, play, and community connection.

The ribbon-cutting celebration brought together families and community members for a sun-filled morning featuring shaved ice, organic juice shots, a floral clipping cart, face painting, children's sensory activities, and special gifts from the Woodland Branch Library and the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD).

The new outdoor space was made possible through a generous gift from the Los Altos Library Endowment (LALE), in partnership with GreenTown Los Altos, the City of Los Altos, and Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD).

“The Woodland Library Terrace and Native Habitat has transformed a long-unused area behind the library into a welcoming, dynamic space for the community,” said Freddie Park Wheeler, President of the Los Altos Library Endowment. “It gives families, students, and neighbors a place to gather, learn, play, and enjoy the outdoors together.”

Designed to complement the Woodland Branch Library, the new Terrace provides additional space for community members to read, study, play, and gather. It also creates opportunities for outdoor programming and helps expand the library's capacity to serve the community.

A New Outdoor Community Space

The Woodland Library Terrace includes:

  • Seating areas with tables and umbrellas
  • Open play areas with games and chalk activities
  • Flexible pathways that can accommodate small programs, food trucks, and community events

Adjacent to the Terrace, GreenTown Los Altos has created a native habitat and educational space designed to introduce visitors to native plants, pollinators, and environmental stewardship. The landscape design was developed in collaboration with Nikki Hanson of California Sisters Landscapes.

Together, the Terrace and Native Habitat create a shared community destination that extends the library experience beyond its walls and provides new opportunities for learning, recreation, and connection.

“The Los Altos Library Endowment invests in improving library spaces to create welcoming places for the community to learn, gather, and connect,” said Suresh Shanmugham, Treasurer of the Los Altos Library Endowment. “Through thoughtful, long-term capital investments, we are strengthening our libraries to meet the evolving needs of future generations.”

The celebration was attended by Los Altos Community Librarian Rose Baiza; Los Altos Mayor Sally Meadows; Vice Mayor Larry Lang; Council Members Jonathan Weinberg and Pete Dailey; Deputy City Manager Anthony Carnesecca; Los Altos Hills Vice Mayor Linda Swan and Council Member George Tyson; Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and members of her staff, L.A. Chung and Sandy Runyan; representatives of the Santa Clara County Library District, Los Altos Library Commission, Los Altos PARC Commission, and LAMVCF; as well as leaders, board members, landscape architects, and supporters of the Los Altos Library Endowment including Freddie Park Wheeler, President, LALE: Suresh Shanmugham, Treasurer, LALE, and Endowment Board of Directors Nancy Bhagat, Jason May, Cindy Hill, Nelvin Gee, Tiffany Chou, and Suzanne Ambiel; and GreenTown Los Altos President Suresh Venkatraman and Director Glenda Chang.

The opening marked an important milestone in the ongoing effort to create welcoming, accessible spaces where the community can learn, gather, play, and connect.