On a beautiful day in Sptember 2016, a plaque mounted in a stone was unveiled to commemorate the dedication of the Rex Gardiner Open Space.
Mayor Harpootlian delivers Opening Remarks
This parcel of town-owned open space is relatively small, but it is home to a magnificent Oak tree. It lies alongside Moody Road, one of major roads in the town, and thus occupies a spot of high visibility. The Mayor, John Harpootlian opened the proceedings with some brief remarks:
Rex Gardiner passed away August 16, 2015 at age 93.But this dedication of open space, signified by this plaque, is not here as a memorial. Rather it is here to remember his significance to the history and founding of Los Altos Hills.
Sometime in 1955, a group of residents that included Rex, started to plan the incorporation of Los Altos Hills that included the writing of the well-known Green Sheets
Rex devoted an entire year to the incorporation proposal, culminating in a successful vote of the residents, and on January 27, 1956, the Town of Los Altos Hills became a reality
Rex served as the Town’s first Road Commissioner and just the next year defended the new town against efforts for disincorporation
How little things have changed in the last 60 years. Today we continue to debate. I wish I could hear Rex’s voice, and hear his answers to questions that the council is currently debating, including pathways in the newly incorporated areas and substandard lots. Unfortunately the Town has missed its opportunity to hear the thoughts of this founder, but let’s think for a moment of how he might have answered.
With our thanks and appreciation, we dedicate this open space to Rex Gardiner’s vision, determination and leadership and hope that all of us present and generations moving forward can cherish this space and the town that he helped to create that we call home.
Mayor Harpootlian welcomes Vicki Gardiner-Taylor, daughter of Rex Gardiner.
Vicki tells briefly how she grew up as a little girl in a home not far from this spot.
The plaque is unveiled.
Admiring the plaque
Vicki and her husband Richard pose on the stone
Vicki Gardiner Taylor and her Husband Morgan
The Plaque
Postscript - June 7th 2021
Monday June 7th, 2021, was a very windy day, and apparently the tree blew over as a result of an inadequate root ball
A Giant is Felled
Detail of the root ball
Later on, the Town's Maintenance Crew cleans the place up, pending a decision on how best to remediate the loss
Looking back in time - as it was in July 2018. A view that is now forever changed.
