December 16, 2005


Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Dept.
: Past, present and future

By County Supervisor
Pete McHugh
Special to the Times

In the midst of this busy holiday season, I want to highlight a wonderful event presented by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department—the seventh annual Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos.

This event, open through Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., has become a popular family holiday tradition and includes thousands of twinkling lights and many animated displays.

Proceeds from the event will assist the department in its mission to “provide, protect and preserve regional parklands for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.”

The Fantasy of Lights exemplifies the wide array of opportunities provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. This September, the department entered its 50th year of providing outstanding recreational opportunities and preserving the natural environment for Santa Clara County residents. This golden legacy has resulted in one of the largest regional park systems in the state, with 28 county parks covering nearly 45,000 acres.

Santa Clara County acquired its first parkland in 1924, purchasing 400 acres near Cupertino in what would become Stevens Creek County Park.

In 1953, the county acquired what is now Henry Coe State Park by donation from Coe’s daughter, Sara. This significant acquisition served as the impetus for the creation of the Parks and Recreation Department. As demand increased for a specific entity to ensure the long-term stewardship of the county’s recreational resources, 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 which will be called Martial Cottle Park.

Since 1972, the Department has received 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.

In 1996, an overwhelming majority of county voters renewed the Parks Charter Fund with a sunset date of July 1, 2009. In August, the board approved a resolution to place a renewal measure for the Park Charter Fund on the June 6, 2006 ballot.

The board adopted formal ballot language at its Dec. 6 meeting. Major provisions of the ballot measure include:

- Renew the Charter for another 12-year term starting July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2021

- Continue the current set-aside

- Allocate at least 15 percent of the Charter to acquisition of parkland, at least 5 percent for park improvements and development and the remainder for park operations.

As a result of this action, Santa Clara County voters will decide for the seventh time how they wish to fund the Parks and Recreation Department.

Santa Clara County is fortunate to have a Parks and Recreation system that is so vast and provides many learning and recreational opportunities. Fantasy of Lights highlights the wonderful programs put on by the Department. I encourage you to attend this event and want to wish everyone a happy holiday.

Details for the event can be found at www.parkhere.org or by calling (408) 355-2201.