Expansive and beautifully landscaped park with many nice trees. Cute train playground for toddlers is about to be closed May 4 2026 and replaced. See photo. Playground bathrooms could definitely use an upgrade and appear to have a leaky/stinky sewage pipe. Despite the warning signs for fines, I saw 2 off leash dogs. Most were leashed though. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - 2026 playground closure for full replacement - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

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Nice & shaddy park but they don't have anyone enforcing the leash law. July 14 Monday 2025 I was at the park w 5 dog I walk & there were 3 unleashed dogs - Doberman, German Shepherd dog & giant pit bull mix in the field playing ball. I saw from a distance there was one dog lying down - it was the pit bull & before you know it there it was on my feet going after my own cream maltipoo swirling I grabbed the collar up under the jaw & yanked it by then the owner arrived saying I'm so sorry & I handed him his dog that let go of my dogs ear that got torn & needed surgery thank God no one else was hurt & I was able to hand off the Doberman. So beware there are unleashed bullies around. The park should deputize the dog walkers to collect fines from unleashed dogs. read more

scenic park with open grass fields, gardens, playground, walking pathways, baseball field, tennis courts, gardens and more...playground is smaller, but having a separate play area for toddlers and another for older children...great for picnics and to relax...grass is well maintained...the winding walkways are perfect for short strolls around the park....random old school exercise stations around the park...parking can be limited during game days... read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - small playground - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

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Beautiful venue. Needs bit of updating to the facilities, but a lovely place to walk amongst the Redwoods,. Unexpected spot of pure tranquility and seclusion in the midst of a chaotic life to walk you dog, your kid, or just to sit and just enjoy. read more

It's beautiful, full of grass, dog friendly, and a good place to walk around. But be on the lookout for wild kids with nannies on their phones not paying attention. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - Soaking up the sun - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

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This is a great park for kids and dogs. Pack a picnic, your sand toys, and spend some time here. Features: * Large grass area * Free parking lot * Restrooms (were locked when we were there - doh!) * Several enclosed play structures * Sandbox * Swings * Picnic tables You can hear and watch CalTrain clang by as you enjoy your time in the park, which is very exciting for the kids. I see from other reviews that they have tennis courts and a baseball diamond, but I didn't notice those as I dealt with potty emergencies caused by the locked restrooms and my lack of preparation. TMI? Too bad! There are weddings here also. The bride and groom can stand in the gazebo as they get hitched. The gardens are pretty. We saw big roses near the parking lot. read more

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I've been here for a wedding so naturally when it's my turn, I decided to check it out since one, it's an outdoor venue (what I'm looking for) and two, it's close to my house. I also LOVE the white gazebo! You need to make an appointment and so I did. I met with Jean who is the Program Directior. She gave me a tour of the place and then we sat in her office and discussed details so here they are: -on Saturdays they book two events and thus, have two time slots: 10AM to 5PM or 5PM to midnight. Weekday or Sunday events must end by 10PM. -there is a $500 difference in the number of guests you have: 1-100 guests cost $4000 and 101-200 guests cost $4500 (for the two sites). If you only want one site (what I wanted so it's either the patio with arch where ceremonies take place or the house/area where receptions usually take place) then it's $2000 for 1-100 guests or $2250 for 101-200 guests. -the rental time is 7 hours and each additional hour is $100. -about 200 capacity -for the ceremony they have the white plastic Samsonite folding chairs or another type -you can put a "soft hold" on your date for however long until someone else is interested in you same date. Then Jean will call you and you'll have to decide and put down the deposit It's a nice, simple area and the fees are very reasonable. For the ceremony only, you're allowed to bring in light snacks/food and drinks. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

We decided to have our June '09 wedding here after looking at park/garden several locations on the Peninsula. Its very private yet easily accessible with plenty of no hassle parking. Really convenient location for guests because ceremony/reception can be all in one spot. We had 150 people, but I think you could comfortably get 250 in this location as long as you don't mind half the people seated outdoors. There was a corporate picnic scheduled for the time slot ahead of ours, but it was no problem. They were out and the place was clean on time. We got lots of compliments on the venue. Lots of "how did you find this place?" I saw it in Town and Country Wedding Magazine. Expansive fields that surround a main house, ceremony arbor and red brick cocktail area just a hundred feet from a big indoor reception hall. I like that it has a feel of a garden wedding with all the flowers, greenery and giant trees around, but nobody has to step on dirt or grass if you don't want to. The chairs and tables included with the rental are really pretty Chivari chairs, not white plastic folding or the banquet chairs you need to put those dresses and bows on. It was an unseasonably cool day and the park had gas patio heaters on hand. I liked that you can bring in whatever caterer/baker/rental equipment/bar/band you want and you aren't stuck with any cheesy packages. Many of the other venues around Palo Alto required you use approved vendors, but it wouldn't be a wedding to me without a lechon, pancit and lumpia. At Holbrook Palmer you can have it all. Jean, the coordinator is really nice and helpful and prompt about answering messages. But minus a half star because the Town of Atherton is stuck in the eighties and don't communicate by email. Minus one whole star because the lovely lights on the oak trees on the patio flickered on and off then stayed off so one third of our tables and our entire coffee/tea station/bartenders stations were in the dark. They get half a star back for refunding some $$$ for the electrical problem. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - 21st century Holbrook Palmer Wedding - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

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This was a pretty good park we hit up yesterday. The playground is good for toddlers and lower elementary but not so good for upper el and on. We only saw part of the park but there is a big open field next to the playground. I will definitely go back to the playground and go back to check out the rest of the park. Cal Train goes by and that's usually a hit with most kids. read more

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Had my wedding here September 29, 2017 was so beautiful everyone loved it , the weather was perfect ! We got married on the lawn in front of the tower . We had a cocktail bar outside on the patio it was very spacious if I could get married again I would do it here . I recommend it highly to everyone it's very peaceful and quiet great for photos ! We got so many compliments of our venue choice ! read more

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Overall, a really nice park to spend a warm summer afternoon. However, they have yet to reopen their bathrooms following COVID shelter in place which leads to folks urinating and defecating in the park. read more

I use to come here very often. They have everything here: playground, large field, trails that circle the park, brand-new baseball field, tennis courts, grills, etc.... It's great! But... Why am I giving it 2 stars? I HATE how i can't run and play in the field with my son! I wanted to play soccer with him, but there are dogs roaming the field all the time. There's poop everywhere! on the grass and even on the trails! POOP POOP POOP! I have been seeing less on the trails lately, but still... there are still poop everywhere! read more

Such a beautiful, large park that never seems to be very full. It's got two play structures (one for younger kids), grass for days, decent bathrooms, and plenty of free parking. Occasionally the tranquility is interrupted by a passing Caltrain, but hey, the kids seem to get a kick out of it. It's well removed from the road so kids can run around without worry while adults can sit back, relax, and chit chat. read more

I had my wedding reception here July 24th, 2010. For $3,500 (based on 100 guests) you would think you were renting the whole park. We only used the Jennings Pavillion and a nearby patio. We only had a reception there, not a ceremony. (This means less chairs/work for them to set up). During the walk through I specifically told Jean the coordinator, I was having at least 100 guests and may go over a few. She wrote down on her sheet "4 tables" and told me to get back to her when I had a final count. So Jean, the lady running the wedding mill does not work weekends (the days it's rented out). So by leaving her a voicemail stating I had a few guests over my limit the night before my wedding, I was charged $500. She withheld that amount from my deposit and ironically those people didn't even show up, but she wouldn't know that because she wasn't there. I don't expect her to work everyday, but there should be another "go-to" person on the day of the event-- not just park staff for set up. Additionally, when I got there with one hour to set up the last party was still wrapping up. The staff there literally had --4 tables-- set up for my 100 guests due to her instruction. There was no question about us needing any less than 12 tables. She mentioned she has been doing this for years, but was unprofessional and obviously clueless how stressful a wedding day can be. Why the hell would I pay that much money for four tables? To top it off... Whole Foods delivered my cake to another party in the park because they asked the staff at HP where the party was at ...and they pointed to another event. $350 fresh cake sat in the sun for 45 minutes. Thank God no one cut into it! What nerve to withold $500 after what I went through!?! She failed to inform me until I received my partial deposit back and I called her to inquire about the rest of the money. I would give zero stars for being a complete rip off, but the one good thing is that I was able to select my own caterer. Brides beware! Save your money and go to Burgess Park! read more

The carriage house at this park is for rent. In fact it's rented out to a group I attend every Sunday morning. Attending this meeting is about half of why I come. The other part is for the sun touched leafs, the dew drops from the night before, and the fairy tale like qualities of the buildings, gardens and captivating scenery. I don't know, maybe I'm just on a pink cloud and everything looks better than it really is. On the other hand, there is a reason why people live in this area! It's gorgeous, breathtaking and cozy to live in, all parts of the year. This little corner of Atherton is, thus far, one of my favorite spots. Sometimes when I'm here, I feel like out of no where Fräulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp are about to burst out in song, but the most action I see verses my purpose for being there, are what look like mama boot camps in full swing. Occasionally I will see a family, to what looks like preparing for a picnic, or a leashed dog (or two) and their owner walking along the tar-paved trails. This is a fairly small park in comparison to most. It's easy to drive by in the blink of an eye. Take note-- there is only one way in and one way out; they are separate entrances! So have fun, and don't make too much of a hassle if you come; Grandma Cassandra likes it nice, quiet and completely serene. Let's keep it that way! read more

Do Not book events here unless you're too poor to go elsewhere. They run this place like a "wedding mill": 1) only 1 hour turnaround between events...unacceptable from a wedding vendor perspective. Its hard to do your best work when you're being rushed! 2) we had "noise permit" for our ceremony, but somehow the folks at nearby picnic area were allowed to have loud music with booming bass....I needed to go over there and ask that it be turned down during our ceremony. 3) at the end of the evening, they can't wait to kick everybody out of there......WTF, I can't play an extra 30 minutes for the crowd, which had just started dancing? 4) they allowed people from the next day's wedding to have a ceremony rehearsal, even though we were in the middle of setups & sound check for our Saturday ceremony and the florist was trying to decorate the area. It was very obtrusive and rude! 5) the folks who run this joint are a real piece of work....they are not nice to the vendors! Fortunately, I don't let these concerns affect the wedding day of my clients, who are oblivious to the crappy attitude of the people running the facility. For the above reasons, I am adding this venue to the list of "Wedding Places To Avoid" in the Bay Area and Northern California. read more

I suppose this lavishly appointed city-owned park looks positively shabby in comparison to some of the sumptuous grounds of the private manses that reportedly surround this park in Atherton, but gosh, what a nice place. IQ and I recently enjoyed bringing Atherton's average income level down a few places to the left of the decimal point by visiting this park. I have to say this may be the nicest public park on the peninsula and it's a hidden gem of sorts. My company rented the pavilion for a company picnic and it is easily the nicest space we've rented, with tree shaded picnic tables and an indoor serving area to keep the buggies off the food. We broke out a cricket match on a nearby soccer field, others played tennis and enjoyed strolling, and the combination of sun and shade was just about perfect. Plenty of parking too. Speaking of parking, we ran into some drama in the parking lot on our way home. As we were loading the pooch in the car a man approached me and asked me to call 911 for his wife. I dialed 911 on my cell while walking to his car, where his wife appeared to be in cardiac distress. However I was promptly put on hold by the highway patrol. I hung up and dialed 411 and asked for Atherton Police for a dire emergency, and before I even completed two sentences with the Atherton dispatcher I heard the wail of sirens. The Atherton cops were on the scene in moments and rescue units were there quickly too. The lady was eventually taken to the hospital and OK but it added a note of drama. None of that factors into the park reviews, but we'll always remember this park for that scary ending to a beautiful picnic. read more

This park is my childhood. When I was a child I used to crash weddings here. In fact, the kids in my neighborhood were probably the original wedding crashers. Of course, back then, it was all about the cake....and the champagne. I also used to build grass nests, fish for tadpoles (in the now non-existent lake), and play tennis. One of my favorite events of the year was "Day In the Park." I don't think that they do it anymore. Now when I come here I still play tennis,. I also walk on the wonderful trails. Spruce (my dog) loves to come with me and meet other dogs. There is a nice playground, a baseball diamond, and a pavilion for events. Holbrook Palmer even has a preschool! read more

Attended another retreat here last week. This time we were in the main house: an idyllic location for a smaller group to get away from the grindstone to get the creative juices going. The main house is a solid, beautifully constructed building with a large living room area where groups can meet. I'm guessing six tables with 6-8 place settings each could be comfortably set up in this area. The temperature of the room was a bit chilly, but prefer that over too warm. There is a kitchen where foods can be prepared/heated up. When you go outside (from the kitchen exit), there is a 1-2 person elevator. Noticed it was slow as the dickens for our facilitator and her cart, but it was better than nothing. Imagine one wheelchair could fit in there so it is accessible. The primary downside is signage. There are several buildings on this property, so make sure you have the name of the building and look at a map of the park so you do not get lost. Overall: Recommend for small work group retreat, baby shower, birthday celebration, or small party. Elegant. read more

Very nice park and by all means go there with your children and pets. Bike path are fun and there is a lot to do with or without children. However, if you are like me and have your kids birthday party at a park, don't go there. We had a day use permit for the area next to the playground, but when we arrived there was a huge party set up in 'my' spot, with bbq and all. They did not have a use permit and would not leave, that's 40 people hanging around my kiddos birthday party... The park staff eventually called the Atherton police and they asked them to go. But what a flop to have a bunch of policeman show up at your party. The kids loved it, but the parents were, let's say, surprised... Long story short, the park apologize and said they could not refund me for my permit, since I had used the ground anyway... Next year, we'll go somewhere else, but in the meanwhile, we will definitely enjoy the park for free. I've made my donation already. read more

My review is for play area only. As you enter the park, you'll notice a parking lot on your left and right hand side, don't park here. Keep driving as the road curves right, at the end there will be a parking lot and you will see the playground. There are two play structure, one is enclosed for toddlers, it has a small sandbox, one of the smallest I have seen. There is a large field where you can walk, be careful, some area of grass was muddy, it could use some work. This is a dog friendly park. There is a restroom that looks like a shack, it is clean, surprisingly, it has a diaper changing table. It was still morning and the outside garbage can was still full, it was still full when I left. Overall, the play area seem outdated, the layout lack energy and was not very entertaining for the little ones. read more

Location: in Atherton, sandwiched between Middlefield & El Camino, and surrounded by residential neighborhoods, bordered on 1 side by the Caltrain tracks. Parking: free; good amount of parking on site; there are several parking lots around the park; there's always been a spot for us whenever we go there which tends to be sometime in the early to late afternoon. What's in the park: large main grassy area; several small grassy lawn areas; small playground for children; small little league baseball field; tennis courts (for what seems like Atherton residents only); paved and sandy/dirt/gravelly walkways for visitors to walk or bike on that go along the perimeter as well as its through the center in a few different variations; a smattering of picnic benches; a handful of "exercise stations" along the walking perimeter of the park; some water fountains for adults, children, and even doggies; and a handful of unidentifiable buildings that are mainly at the center of the property-- some historical/old looking (or at least made to look that way), one looking like a carriage house, one looking like an old school house. Good for: walking, walking your dog (not friendly to off-leashing your dog though :( although the grass is just perfect for dogs to run), strolling, picnics, running, biking, bringing young children and adults alike. Overall impression: Pros--nice local park, good parking, okay for leashed dog walking. Cons--wished the facilities were open to surrounding residents of border cities close by such as Redwood City, wished there was an off-leash area for dogs. read more

I was here at around 8AM on a weekday and it was so serene and peaceful to just walk around the grounds! There were several people walking their dogs and one kid playing, but other than that, the park was empty. The only downside is the ugly house right in the middle that does not fit in with the rest of the landscape of the park! read more

Held a wedding here - WONDERFUL! Jean is the park coordinator, who will almost never answer her phone (but returns calls in a day or two) and doesn't do e-mail. Don't let that hold you back - she's the most easy-going, professional person I had the pleasure of working with in planning my wedding! The park itself is gorgeous and huge, and the staff set it up and maintain it very nicely. Pricing is very reasonable and the staff is very flexible with set-up, etc. Touring through the place with each set of parents separately, the elegance of the park and Jean's easy approach made everyone comfortable! The park is very near to the Atherton Caltrain station, which currently only receives trains on weekends - we biked away for a Caltrain escape with our wedding after-party, and it was unforgettable! We had small issues to wrap up, and Jean and her staff handled it well - some equipment we accidentally left behind in cleanup was waiting for us happily a week later. All told, I can't imagine working with anyone else. Friends and family are still talking about this venue long after the event - it was perfect! read more

A special place I hold dear to me since it is where I got married. It is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood away from busy El Camino Real. It's perfect for a quiet picnic with it's picturesque lawns and gardens. Weekends are the busiest due to weddings, meetings and other events. Weekdays tend to be much quiet and relaxing. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - Gazebo at Holbrook Palmer Park - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

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Great park! Lush & pretty... My dog loves walking around this park. The trails are fun too! My toddler loves the toddler area. Oh the sand is sooo much fun! Plus the bathrooms are better than most park bathrooms. This is a fav park with us! read more

great place to hang Out it has a large open green to play soccer nice picnic area beautiful trees and flowers. its a hidden gem and always enough space and parking. The kids play area its nice Only The swings are broken at The time read more

We love this place! We loved it so much, we decided to get married here (that, and because Jean Cardona is the most patient, professional venue coordinator we encountered!) From a recreation perspective, our doggies love running around here (they even have training classes) and we love hanging out with some good books and some great wine. From a venue perspective, it's fabulous. While I understand that it can get tight between set-ups, consider renting it for the whole day. We rented both slots for our Saturday wedding and thought it was well worth the extra time it gave us to set up the decorations. Jean is really, really wonderful to work with. We had a traditional Indian wedding complete with a horse and sparklers, and although we had to get extra permits, the whole process was well-organized and civil. People loved the venue. Only downside is Cal-train---they do go by every hour or so on the weekends and those horns are LOUD--so plan your ceremony around the Caltrain whistles (seriously). You don't want to be saying "I do" right as CalTrain blasts through. Other than that, the best part is the tremendous flexibility in terms of vendors, etc....If we had to do it all again, we'd choose Holbrook Palmer Park again, without a doubt! read more

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This is a very pretty park! The grounds are extremely well-maintained and clean, and there's plenty of space to run around like a goober in the sunshine. We had our department picnic here yesterday and it turned out to be a great time. I was a little worried at first, driving in along Marsh Rd or whatever it's called....kinda sketchy-looking....but once you get into the park, it's like a different world. We only stuck to one of the open field areas right behind the main parking lot. There are a couple picnic tables and some shade trees on the manicured lawn. Farther up is the "Carriage House" where the bathrooms are located. I wanted to go explore in the lighthouse-looking building but wasn't allowed. Boo! It's pretty to look at anyway. read more

Holbrook - Palmer Park - Parks Near Me - Atherton, California

Growing up about 3 minutes from here, I have to admit that I haven't spent enough time at HP park. Recently I've been taking care of a 14 month old and the park is a great way to get out of the house. I've also been to a wedding at their wedding location recently. The playground for kids is split between one for bigger kids and one for toddlers. Both are clean with nice equipment. There are trash/recycling bins around the park and bathrooms available. My only disappointment was that the swings are tapped up and unavailable for some reason, and the little boy that I was with loved the swings so I had been looking forward to them! read more

Great place for family portraits. It's a good sized park, enough to have a lot of different photo backgrounds, but not too large that we were too tired to walk the whole thing. I go clockwise so we end up at the playground so the kids can go play and be happy that the photo session is over. :) The park is used by a lot of families and dog walkers. Great spot in Atherton. read more

Attended the Easter event today & what a great park! Beautiful and clean! Rental sites available and although I didn't get a chance to explore the whole park, it's definitely a gem in the area! read more

this is hands down the most beautiful park in atherton, and likely, the most beautiful on the entire peninsula! i happened to drive by one day and decided to stop in and saw how gorgeous this piece of land is. there is a formal gate for entering the park and another to exit. the grass is lush and green and clearly well maintained. there are several parking lots throughout the park, so finding a space is never a problem. there is a carriage house, which is perfect for hosting a special event like a wedding or reunion. there are also tennis courts, a large open field, and a par cours area for fitness enthusiasts. and if you're on foot, you can easily run through this park as part of your daily run. i really enjoy coming here to just walk around and admire the beauty of this park. since it's nestled in the heart of atherton (not close to the freeway), it's very quiet here without the usual hustle and bustle of freeway traffic and other distractions. tip: make sure you come during daylight hours since the gates are locked from sunset til sunrise. park hours are definitely shortened during the winter months. read more

Secluded and serene on weekdays, this park welcomes first-time visitors with its unpretentious green spaces and laid-back atmosphere. It seems to be a prime weekend wedding venue, and the surrounding neighborhood was appealing, but I came here looking for a pedestrian-friendly pit-stop after running some errands in the valley. My needs were simple, and this park was exactly what I needed. Navigating the endless stop-and-go streets like El Camino and Middlefield Rd, I found this park to be a perfect place to have a snack before heading down the road to Palo Alto. If only there were more public spaces like this in the area! read more

Super adorable, picnic tables and grills, a wide grassy area for kids to play. There is also a bit of historical value and I'm sure they throw fantastic events throughout the year. We just went here for a picnic and it was great! Overall I may come back if in the area or if I was looking for a place to throw a small BBQ or Birthday party for a child who would love a bounce house! The flat grass area is the perfect spot to set up a moon bounce or a slip-n-slide! There is also plenty of parking and a few trails you could follow around the area. read more

This is a solid suburban park spread over several acres right in the heart of Atherton. It's got well maintained tennis courts, baseball diamond and huge grass field in addition to a couple of small but clean and protected play areas for little kids. Given its light traffic even mid-weekend, this is a great place for parents to let their kids roam without the constant axiety of busier or street-side parks. read more

Our favorite place. We made this park our local park. It has enough parking. Great for walking your dog and also for short runs (there is a loop but it's pretty short.. maybe 0.5m). The park is beautiful. Well maintained. Great for birthday parties too. It is close by dark and open early in the morning (has a gate so can't coke after dark, I guess). read more

As the parent of a one year old, I've become a bit of a sandbox connoisseur, which is what I'm reviewing here. No wedding venues, just playground equipment for little ones. There are two play areas - one for big kids and the other for toddlers that is fenced off for added safety. The sandbox in the toddler area is clean, big, and shady most of the day. The toddler area also has a tunnel, small jungle gym, and cute itty-bitty slide. There are benches everywhere for those parents and friends who don't want to get down and dirty. A very cool thing that I've never spotted in other parks is a high-backed swing designed for children with physical limitations. Awesome! Families picnic and play soccer/tee-ball/catch on the huge grassy lawn next to the playground. The only thing missing is a water feature, so I'm giving them 4 stars for cleanliness, safety, and really nice equipment. read more

DO NOT RUN YOUR DOG OFF LEASH ON THE LARGE LAWN. Dog owners, I understand that you want to take good care of your dog, but please understand that you are not entitled to the entire park. There is a smaller (but still large) lawn where dogs are allowed off leash. Please do not ruin the large lawn for humans to play and picnic with their children. A collision between a small child and your large dog running full speed is not safe. Also, it is not sanitary for toddlers, or any human to fall in your dog's shit. I absolutely love dogs, but there is a dog area for a reason- to keep the large lawn safe and enjoyable for humans to run/play/picnic. read more

Set in a quiet Atherton neighborhood, this lovely park has a children's playground that is shaded by trees (depending on the time of day). A large grass area sets the play area back from the street. The occasional train passing by was a hit with my children. Parking can be a problem when an event is taking place in one of the buildings on the grounds. read more