The Gilroy City Council recently approved a new Community Events Support Program, which allocates $150,000 to eligible local nonprofits to help offset City staff costs for special events held within Gilroy city limits.

The program is designed to support free, inclusive events that benefit the community. It includes clear criteria, funding considerations, and reporting requirements to ensure transparency and responsible use of public funds.

The application period is now open for events taking place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027 (FY 2027). Apply Here 

Applicants are encouraged to review the program's resolution and criteria before submitting an application.

Applications are due by April 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

For program details, visit Community Events Support Program | Gilroy, CA - Official Website

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the City’s Economic Development team at econdev@cityofgilroy.org.

The Spring Recreation Guide is officially out, and it’s packed with exciting classes and activities for all ages! 

Explore a wide variety of activities including science and technology camps, sports camps, art classes, dance, taekwondo, and much more.

Plus, swimming lesson registration is now open. Don’t miss a chance to secure a spot.

Visit the online Recreation Catalog for a complete list of classes offered to our community and start planning your spring and summer adventures!

You and your family are invited to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day at our annual community tree-planting event. This year, we’ll be gathering at Sunrise Park on Wednesday, April 22, at 2:00 PM.

City Council Members, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and City staff will be on hand to help plant new trees and host fun, family-friendly activities.

We’ll also have free compost available in 5-gallon buckets, while supplies last. Compost is a great way to enrich your soil naturally, helping plants grow stronger, retain more moisture, and stay healthier throughout the year.

Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or joining us for the first time, we value your participation in strengthening our community and tree canopy.

Event Details:

What: Community Tree Planting

Where: Sunrise Park, 9525 Sadler Drive, Gilroy

When: Wednesday, April 22, from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Arbor Day is a great reminder of how important our trees are to our environment, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. Last year, we gathered at Cydney Casper Park for our annual tree-planting event, and each year we rotate to a different city park, one of the many ways we keep our community tree canopy growing.

Community Tree Planting Event Flyer

In celebration of Public Works Week, the City of Gilroy invites students, families, and community members to a hands-on and interactive Public Works Open House. Explore how our Public Works teams keep Gilroy running and discover career pathways in local government. Join us to learn about water conservation, wastewater treatment, engineering, park and road maintenance, and other essential City services.

 Public Works vehicles and equipment will be on display for close-up exploration and learning. Everyone is invited - students, families, community groups, and individuals of all ages are welcome to join us. 

Event: Public Works Week Community Open House 

Date & Time: May 20, 2026 | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM 

Location: City Hall / Civic Center Plaza located at 7351 Rosanna Street 

Public Works staff will be on-site to share demonstrations, answer questions, and highlight the important work they do every day. 

We hope to see you there! 

Official Flyer https://www.cityofgilroy.org/DocumentCenter/View/19960/Public-Works-Week-2026-Flyer-FINAL

Join Valley Water this spring for a free webinar series focused on water saving and creating sustainable landscapes. Learn how to fix outdoor leaks, design efficient gardens, explore irrigation techniques, and more.

Register today and mark your calendar for the upcoming webinars.

Registration required to participate.

Webinar Series:

Find and Fix Outdoor Leaks

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Love it or Lose it: Rethinking your Lawn

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Garden Design Workshop

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Permeable Everywhere

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

To register for these webinars or to learn more, visit Spring 2026 Webinar Series

Official Flyer 

The City of Gilroy is dedicated to ensuring all residents have equitable access to important news and information. As part of our communication outreach efforts, we are looking to better understand how you currently receive City updates. 

We want to know whether you prefer to receive news about the City from our weekly newsletter, social media platforms, or other channels.  

The survey also allows you to indicate your preferred language for communications, as well as the frequency and topics that interest you most. 

Complete the Online Survey  

This questionnaire is available in English and Spanish, and no personal identification is required.  

For questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact the City of Gilroy Communication and Engagement Manager, Rachelle Bedell, at rachelle.bedell@cityofgilroy.org  

The City of Gilroy invites the community to review and comment on the draft PY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan and draft Citizen Participation Plan during the 30-day public comment period, beginning March 13, 2026, and ending April 13, 2026.

The draft PY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan describes the programs and projects planned from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, that address the priority needs and goals identified in the 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan. This plan is also required by HUD, in order to apply for federal housing and community development formula programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

In addition, the Citizen Participation Plan serves as a required, formal document that local governments use to ensure public participation in the planning, implementation, and assessment of federal, state, or local community development and housing programs, particularly those funded by HUD.

Public comments on the draft plans can be emailed to housing@cityofgilroy.org no later than April 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Comments will be addressed in the final plans submitted for approval to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Public Meeting:

Topic: Direction for Proposed Funding Allocations for PY 2026-2027 CDBG Program

Date: April 6, 2026

Where: Council Chambers

Time: 6:00 PM

Public Hearing:

Topic: Adoption Consideration for PY 2026-2027 draft Annual Action Plan and draft Citizen Participation Plan

Date: May 4, 2026

Where: Council Chambers

Time: 6:00 PM

For more information on the public comment period, funding allocations and public hearing, visit Housing and Community Services.

 www.cityofgilroy.org/cdbg

Gilroy has moved from at-large elections to district-based elections, a change adopted in 2025 following community input and state law requirements under the California Voting Rights Act.

Under the previous system, all voters could vote for every City Council seat. With the new district-based elections, the city is divided into geographic districts, and voters select a candidate who lives in and represents their district.

This approach is intended to help provide more localized representation and give neighborhoods a stronger voice in city decisions.

The November 2026 Election will provide the first opportunity for Gilroy residents to vote by district. Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be on the ballot in 2026.

The Mayor and all six Council Members remain committed to serving the entire community. Together, they set policies, goals, and direction for the City of Gilroy as a whole.

Learn more and find your voting district at www.cityofgilroy.org/CouncilDistricts

February marked another milestone for the Gilroy Blue Skies Initiative as the City hosted two stakeholder meetings focused on transportation and land use. Community-based organizations shared feedback on improving transportation connectivity, while City departments discussed opportunities to support a more sustainable network. 

What's Next:

Community Survey:  We’ll soon be asking for your thoughts on environmental hazards facing Gilroy and ways to help our city become more resilient and efficient. Your input matters, stay tuned for details! 

Community Engagement: Staff will engage with the community at upcoming events. In the meantime, we invite you to use our interactive mapping tool to share the opportunities and priorities you want to see in the Blue Skies Initiative at https://ascent.mysocialpinpoint.com/gilroy-blue-skies-initiative/community-input#map-activity  

Stay Connected:

Visit https://www.cityofgilroy.org/1144/Blue-Skies-Initiative for updates. Questions? Email: gilroyblueskies@cityofgilroy.org

Are you unsure if your property sits in a flood-prone area? Flooding can happen unexpectedly and being prepared for a flooding event is critical for protecting yourself, your family, and your property.

Take the first step and visit the Flood Zone Map to see if you are at risk. To better serve and protect our residents, the City of Gilroy would like to remind the community to take proactive steps to prepare for potential flooding events.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

• Sign up for the county’s alert system- AlertSCC, to receive the latest and most accurate information for any weather-related event.

• In addition, sign up for the city’s alert system – Nixle, to receive emergency updates from the City of Gilroy.

Learn more about flood hazards, flood insurance, and other preparedness resources by visiting the City's Flood Management webpage.

The City of Gilroy offers regular volunteer trash clean-up opportunities throughout the year through the Love Gilroy program. These community clean-ups help keep parks, creeks, and public rights-of-way clean while supporting environmental stewardship and community pride. 

 2026 Gilroy Volunteer Cleanup Schedule

Las Animas Park Cleanup Saturday, March 7, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Meet in the parking lot at the corner of Mantelli Drive and Floral Street. National River (Uvas Creek) Cleanup DaySaturday, May 16, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Additional details will be shared in the weeks leading up to the event. San Ysidro Park Cleanup Saturday, July 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance near Murray Avenue & Chestnut Street. Coastal Cleanup Day (Uvas Area) Saturday, September 19, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Additional details will be shared in the weeks leading up to the event. The City is happy to coordinate large group special clean-up events for neighborhoods, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, or other community groups. Requests may be submitted through the Volunteer Inquiry Form. https://www.cityofgilroy.org/FormCenter/Love-Gilroy-Interest-Form-34/Love-Gilroy-Campaign-Volunteer-Inquiry-F-116 Additionally, community members interested in taking on a leadership role may apply to serve as a Volunteer Clean-Up Lead, helping support and coordinate clean-up efforts citywide. Interested individuals may apply directly through CivicRec. https://secure.rec1.com/CA/gilroy-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI1MTY1Mzg=

Every year, the City of Gilroy receives an annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds help states, cities, and counties build strong communities by providing decent housing, creating a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, primarily for low - to moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods.

For the Program Year (PY) 2025, the following organizations were awarded CDBG grants to serve the Gilroy community:

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley- A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster care for children in Gilroy under 21.

Live Oak Adult Day Services – A community-based non-profit offering senior care and family support with a Gilroy center located on Sixth Street.

Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen – Provides nutritious meals to children and adults in Gilroy through Meals on Wheels.

Project Sentinel – Offers fair housing services and advocacy for Gilroy families in need.

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley - Provides essential, no-cost home repairs and maintenance services for Gilroy families and community facilities.

Sourcewise – Offers free curbside transportation to Gilroy residents age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center - A non-profit organization with an office on Church Street in Gilroy, offering free services to individuals with disabilities.

2025-2026 CDBG Grant Funds Allocation

Learn more about CDBG.

The city's Information Desk can be reached at (408) 846-0219 Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Our team will direct your call to the appropriate department.

If you know which department you're trying to reach or have a specific request, we've provided a list of the most frequently requested services and their corresponding phone numbers below.

As always, for emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

Are You Signed Up for Emergency Alerts?

Staying informed is crucial during and after a crisis. The City of Gilroy recommends that all residents sign up for AlertSCC and Nixle to receive timely notifications about emergencies such as severe weather, earthquakes, wildfires, evacuations, and public safety incidents.

AlertSCC is used by Santa Clara County and may be used by the City of Gilroy to deliver critical updates directly to your mobile device, email, or landline about emergencies such as flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, or public safety incidents that impact your neighborhood.

Stay Prepared and keep your family safe - sign up today at AlertSCC.org

Nixle keeps you connected with emergency updates from local agencies, including the City of Gilroy and Gilroy Police Department. Receive alerts about severe weather, wildfires, public safety events, and more by texting your ZIPCODE to 888777. For additional details, visit Nixle.com

For more Emergency Preparedness tips, visit the City's website gilroy.city/be-ready

The City of Gilroy has a new online system for booking reservations at City-owned parks. The new reservation system utilizes the Online Recreation Activity Guide.

Reservations can be made online or in person:

• 🌳 Online: Reservations are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on http://www.cityofgilroy.org/reconline Click the link and then navigate to “Picnic Rental.”
• 🌳 In-Person: Recreation Office: The Recreation Office, located at 7371 Hanna Street, is available for in-person registration Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 

Most City park picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, some City parks allow picnic areas to be reserved in advance. These include some picnic areas at Christmas Hill Park, Las Animas Park, and San Ysidro Park. Rental fees vary by park. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.cityofgilroy.org/538/Park-Facility-Rentals

Notify Me allows you to subscribe to an unlimited number of email lists. Receive email or text message updates regarding the information you have requested…

Sign up to receive notices here: https://www.cityofgilroy.org/list.aspx

Now is the time to support Gilroy restaurants, stores, wineries and other businesses—and help restart the local economy!