After a lengthy process of study and debate, the Los Altos Hills City Council has scheduled a public hearing for parks and recreation planning 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at town hall, 26379 W. Fremont Road. The hearing, part of a regular city council meeting, will give residents a chance to voice their priorities for the biggest townwide project since the construction of a new town hall.

Mayor Craig Jones said residents will want to add their say, particularly because the projects are expected to use millions of dollars of taxpayer funds. The town’s budget has increased over the past 20 years, and it is the city’s responsibility to fund projects with popular support and long-term value, Jones said.

Although building a park was the most popular option in the city’s recent resident survey, many of the other proposed projects highlighted and protected local historical landmarks.

The city council has considered five options: developing a small park in the upper field at the Bullis-Purissima campus, in cooperation with the Los Altos School District; improving the town Little League fields; constructing additional pathways where easements already exist; financially supporting the proposed swimming pool in Los Altos; and improving and repairing Westwind Barn in cooperation with private donors.

Parks and recreation has become the fifth-largest service provided by Los Altos Hills, according to town staff. The total cost of the proposed projects could exceed $3 million.