December 3, 2004

Blazin’ a Trail

By Inez Creps
Special to the Times

About 50 people gathered at the corner of King Road and Barberry Lane in West Evergreen at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 for the first event in “A Year of Service.”

Their efforts supported one of the top 10 priorities of the West Evergreen Strong Neighborhood Initiatives (SNI): To create a trail connecting Coyote Creek and Thompson Creek Trail systems. This required constructing a section of decomposed granite path next to the existing sidewalk.

Barberry trail project workers returned on Nov. 7 to continue the trail they began the day before. Photos by Ed Voss

A city of San Jose Community Action and Pride (CAP) grant funded this project, including breakfast, lunch and materials.

Pre-teens to 70-year-olds and every age in between took part. Some were neighborhood folks visualizing a dream coming true. Some were eager to get community service time. Some were there because of unwise choices they had made in the past, and this was a means of retribution.

What an opportunity to take part in something lasting as we all practice responsibility. It was great to see everyone working together as the young folks helped by digging, shoveling and wheeling heavy loads of gravel.

It made us proud of each bit of energy exerted—for a CAUSE. Nope, these kids weren’t just workin’ out in the gym! They were being a part of a vision of a walking trail from Coyote Creek to Thompson Creek and beyond.

Progress was slower than hoped, particularly the dirt removal to make room for the decomposed granite. This required additional work days on Nov. 7, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, with this last community service day of 2004 already slated to plant 20 to 30 trees to provide shade and color to the existing walkway and eventual trail.

As of Dec. 3, more than 100 volunteers had contributed 600 volunteer hours and completed about 400 feet of path, with another 200 feet to go.

Special thanks goes to Brian Hartsell and his staff from Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services in addition to Servando Perez and his weekend staff and youth from the Anti-Grafitti and Anti-Litter Program along with many dedicated residents of the West Evergreen SNI.

About the Top Ten Priorities of the West Evergreen SNI
The West Evergreen Strong Neighborhood Initiatives is a city of San Jose- sponsored neighborhood redevelopment process that brought together stakeholders to create a neighborhood improvement plan with the most critical improvements gathered in a list of Top Ten Priorities.

Following the adoption of the West Evergreen SNI improvement plan in November 2001, the West Evergreen Neighborhood Action Committee (NAC) was created to advocate and take actions to further the achievement and completion of the Top Ten Priorities.

The West Evergreen NAC meets on the fourth Monday of every month at various locations throughout the West Evergreen SNI area.

About A Year of Service
A Year of Service is created as a regular time for residents to take direct and coordinated action to improve the place in which they live.

Unlike the Top Ten Priorities projects, this component requires little or no funding and is in the control of every individual. This also serves to provide community service opportunities for youth needing community service hours to meet their school’s service requirement.

What’s next?
Interested in community service in West Evergreen? If so, reserve the first Saturday of every month as a community service day. The meeting place, location and project will be communicated as the date approaches.

The first work day in 2005—Saturday, Jan. 8—will include planting daffodil bulbs and picking up litter at OB Whaley School. For more information, call (408) 274-7123.

Khanh Nguyen, West Evergreen SNI, contributed to this article.