November 3, 2006

Community celebrates re-opening of Welch Park

San Jose Councilmember Dave Cortese, local neighborhood leaders and a crowd of community members celebrated the reopening of Welch Park in Council District 8 on Oct. 28.

The park is at the center of two major City of San Jose investment strategies, the King Ocala Neighborhood Area (KONA) Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI) and the San Jose Weed & Seed area, both of which strive to work with area residents to promote safe and positive neighborhoods by reducing blight and crime and introducing programming for community successes.

“Welch Park is now the ideal spot for families of all sizes and interests,” said Cortese, and the capital improvements would not have happened without the passionate and enthusiastic involvement of the neighbors.”

Improvements to the park, which has been a major gathering spot for the community, were among the top ten priorities on the KONA SNI’s to-do list.

Improvements to the park include new shade structures, park benches, walkways and enhanced landscaping to complement the existing play lot and public art.

To celebrate the reopening, area residents held a festive celebration, handing out free pumpkins for kids under 12. Other attractions at the celebration included a resource fair, face painting, child fingerprinting, appearances by the San Jose Police Mounted Unit and San Jose Fire Department.