Archive for June, 2013

29 Jun

HEAT WAVE ALERT!

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Our City Forest, Tree Data. Tagged: , .

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Our City Forest reminds us that hot weather means thirsty trees!

The next week is supposed to be a scorcher, so be sure to keep hydrated and don’t forget about your trees too!  In the summer, the need for water increases, so be sure sure and check the soil at the base of the tree to make sure it has enough moisture.  This is especially important for trees under three years old.

For those looking to help water more than just your own trees, Our City Forest (OCF) is looking for watering volunteers during these hot summer months!  Get outside, have some fun in the sun, and make sure that San Jose’s trees get plenty to drink this summer!

For more information on watering, please call Julian at 408-998-7337 x 118, or email him at

29 Jun

This is your MFPA Board in Action

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in MFPA.

Paper work

From left to right are Secretary Pat Wagstaff, Team Leader/Coordinator Patrick Pizzo, TJ Martin area Director Larry Sasscer, Fontana/Villas Director Dick Stevens, Treasurer Bob Heldt, and Vice President Mike Kalashian.  Not shown but present were President Linda Wilson, Director at Large Vince Piazzisi, and AV/Website Chair Sunny Wagstaff .

As you can see, it takes a lot of paperwork to keep the parks looking nice.

25 Jun

Tree Trimming done on 25 June

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in City of San Jose, Events, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, PG&E, TJ Martin Park, Tree Data. Tagged: , , .

From our inception as a nonprofit in 2010, we have worked to achieve an agreement with the City of San Jose to let us fund a tree-trimming program in our parks using the City’s contractor.  With an agreement between the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Dept. and Martin-Fontana Parks Association, we have now achieved this milestone.

One of our park managers has gone through both parks with the city contractor to identify those trees that needed trimming and shaping for health and appearances. For this first round of trimming, twelve trees were trimmed on Tuesday, June 25.

Four of those trees identified were action items in our last round of discussions with PG&E last March. The contractor trimmed and shaped both the Blue Oak just west of the end of the dog park & another one that shades the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial bench area.  They also trimmed back the branches on the southern side of each tree nearest the overhead power lines and removed any dead wood.  The four Golden Rain trees near the tot lot were trimmed and shaped .

Click on the maps below to see their locations:

Here are photos of the trees:

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Thanks to your generous donations and membership support, we now have the funding, ability, and the access to keep them trimmed.

9 Jun

With the hard work of MFPA members we now have a new fence for Island A

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, CA Native Plants, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA. Tagged: , , .

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IMG_0010From left to right they are Chris Reed, Larry Sasscer, Dave Poeschel, Sunny Wagstaff, Patrick Pizzo, & Vince Piazzisi.  Not shown in the photo was Mike Kalashian who had to leave before the photo was taken.

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Thanks guys and a big thank you to all those donors who provide the funds for all these projects.

P.S.  You can check out the story in Almaden Times Weekly by clicking here.