MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION Saving our Park Trees

On Saturday October 15^th, approximately 100 eager volunteers showed up to help plant native shrubs in Jeffrey Fontana Park. (For more on the planting, see the article in the Almaden Times Weekly).

Under the direction of Dave Poeschel, (the gentleman on the far right in the green shirt), the bare dirt area from the children’s playground and east to Almaden Expressway was planted with 158 California native shrubs consisting of 10 different varieties.

Island A, under the leadership of Pat Pizzo, (the gentleman wearing the blue cap in the photo below), was planted with 13 different varieties of 21 California native shrubs.

Dropping by to offer her support was San Jose City Councilmember, Nancy Pyle.  She is the lady with the sunglasses standing just behind the kneeling gentlemen.  Starting from those standing from the left they are Ryan Huddlestun, Pat Pizzo (the leader and creator of “Island A”), Councilmember Nancy Pyle, Larry Sasscer, Leslie Reynolds, Vince Piazzisi, Pier Maggiani, unknown two ladies & gentleman.  The person kneeling is Chris Reed. (Does anybody know the names of the three people on the far right ?  If so please send their names to SaveOurParkTrees@gmail.com.  Thanks.)

Volunteers consisted of:

•  The Martin-Fontana Parks Association, who provided refreshments, volunteers, planting plans and all the funding.
•  Our City Forest, who provided trained volunteers, expertise, and supervision of the planting process, as well as gloves and shovels.
•  San Jose City’s Adopt-a-Park Program, who provided volunteers, tools for planting and weeded the Beautiful Day project previously planted by the South Hills Community Church last December.
•  The Guadalupe Elementary School Scout Pack 340
•  Presentation High School volunteers
•  Pastor Greg Gates and his group of church volunteers
•  And other hard working neighbors and community members.

The park plans were developed by the MFPA Restoration Committee and approved by PG&E, the Santa Clara Water District (SCVWD), San Jose Parks Maintenance Division, and the Board of Directors of the MFPA.