Once a vibrant hotspot for middle schoolers, downtown Menlo Park seems to have lost its appeal to students. In past years, tons of kids filled the streets, grabbed snacks at Walgreens, and hung out with friends at and around popular businesses like Starbucks and Green Bubble. This year, however, many middle school students are opting out of the downtown scene.
Downtown Menlo Park was once so popular with students that Hillview’s administration had to address it in the school’s morning announcements. “I remember our administration at Hillview said stuff like, ‘Be safe and don’t be disrespectful,’ because they got complaints from people and businesses in the downtown area,” freshman Nick Sandoval said.
“I’ve noticed less kids coming downtown this year rather than last year,” Ellie Kriebel, an eighth grader at Hillview Middle School, said. “I feel like it’s gotten less fun and more boring for people,” Bella Gormsen, one of Kriebel’s Hillview classmates, said…