Onetta Harris Community Center

Below is a letter sent to the Menlo Park City Council on Jul 2, 2019, by Jim Lewis

Honorable Mayor and Council Members:

Who is Onetta Harris?

As you know, her name is proudly shown at the ONETTA HARRIS COMMUNITY CENTER, located in the Belle Haven neighborhood.

Doing some research, I've been able to uncover some FACTS, that you may not know and thus may find of interest.

First, she was an active VOLUNTEER for many years in the City. Her efforts resulted in an abundance of programs that were especially made available to children and to others. As a result, following the urging by many that knew her, the MENLO PARK CITY COUNCIL unanamously voted in July 1983 (nearly 35 years ago this month) to rename the Belle Haven Community Center the Onetta Harris Community Center.

This was in recognition of her many contributions. In September 1983 an official DEDICATION took place from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, and was open to the public. Aaron Johnson, Director of the Center at the time stated "Mrs. Harris was always doing someting. There was no job too large or small to make this community better."

Onetta had a special interest in the BELLE HAVEN Summer Teen Program. She was also a member of the Belle Haven Advisory Board. If that wasn't enough, she found time to be the Chair of the Neighborhood Housing Service, a housing rehabilitatin agency. In addition, she was also on the Board of the Charles Drew Medical-Dental Center, after helping to found it.

Born in Texas on January [1, 1925], she came to CALIFORNIA in 1952. In April 1982 ( age 57) she died, due to an illness. She will be missed, but continues to be an inspiration with her name proudly being placed on one of the city's most active and valued city recreational areas.