November 3, 2006

County Report

Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department celebrates 50 years

By Supervisor Pete McHugh
Special to the Times

In September, the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the 50th anniversary of its inception.

This golden legacy has resulted in one of the largest regional park systems in California, with 28 county parks covering nearly 45,000 acres. Over the years, the Department has made great strides to achieve its mission to provide, protect and preserve regional parklands for the enjoyment and education of all generations. To celebrate the Department’s 50th anniversary, park staff wishes to highlight some best-kept secrets of various county parks. These facts showcase the unique features of our county parks and include fun facts about the Department’s operations.

The Board of Supervisors officially established the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department in 1956. Soon after its establishment, the Department began to acquire and develop key land locations such as Ed Levin Park and the Alviso Marina. The Department later focused on the expansion of several existing popular parks and purchased additional land, such as at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch in San Martin. Most recently, the County and the State received a donation of almost 300 acres in the middle of San Jose for a new park. The County will name this area Martial Cottle Park.

As a result of these acquisition efforts and coupled with the parks’ unique features, the department provides outstanding recreational opportunities to all County residents. The unique features listed below highlight some of Santa Clara County’s history and exemplify opportunities available to park visitors.

Ed Levin County Park contains a rock wall made by ancient human inhabitants that lines the summit of Ed Levin County Park. It snakes its way to the hills of Berkeley, constructed by unknown people for unknown reasons.
Coyote Hellyer County Park contains the Velodrome, a paved and banked oval bicycle track circling 1/5-mile around and is one of only four in the Western United States.

Mount Madonna County Park was named by the recluse poet, Hiram Wentworth, since its 1,897 foot peak reminded him of “Madonna,” Italy’s designation of the Virgin Mary.

Anderson Lake County Park contains remnants of a historic stone winery built in 1869.

Calero County Park is visited annually in the winter months by a bald eagle that stays at the Calero Reservoir. It is also home to 1,000 bats that live in the backcountry of the park, called “Calero Bat Inn.”

Vasona Lake County Park has a variety of rare and interesting trees, including a species of redwood tree once thought to be extinct, and the Roosevelt redwood tree, originally planted in Campbell by President Teddy Roosevelt.

In addition, the following information includes fun facts about the operations and services of the parks:

The department equips its parks with so much toilet paper that one weekend of toilet paper meets the needs of two families of four for one year.

Turf mowing at parks amounts to a mow strip with a distance that can reach Chicago and back each year.

The total number of boating miles at county parks is equal to a cruise around the world.

Since 1972, the Department receives funding from a Parks Charter Fund. The Parks Charter Fund sets aside 1.425 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in property taxes. The Department must devote these funds to the expansion, development and stewardship of the Santa Clara County park system.

This past June, the voters overwhelming supported continuing the Parks Charter fund until June 30, 2021. This support will allow the Department to continue the great work it has accomplished over the years. Santa Clara County is fortunate to have a vast Parks and Recreation system that provides many learning and recreational opportunities. I congratulate the Depart-ment on its 50 years of success and urge all residents to visit a park near you.