Archive for November, 2017

28 Nov

Saving our feathered friends is local man’s goal

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

This is an article from the August 11th Almaden Times.

“Citizen Scientist” Lee Pauser has been building, installing, and monitoring nest boxes (the proper term for bird-houses) for 16 years.  He caters to 18 different species, ranging from Chickadees and Tree Swallows to Western Bluebirds, American Kestrels, Barn Owls and Wood Ducks.  He also works with Silicon Valley Wildlife Center to release rehabilitated birds back into the wild.

You can check out the rest of the article at: https://timesmedia.pageflip.site/editions/AT12649#page/1

 

28 Nov

Take a walk around Almaden Lake Park

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in City of San Jose, Events, PRNS. Tagged: , , .

For more information:
Call (408) 535-4910 or Email michele.dexter@sanjoseca.gov

27 Nov

Dozens of trees going to be planted in TJ Martin & Jeffrey Fontana parks

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

Our City Forest demonstrates how it’s done

The following is a San Jose Mercury News article by | jbaum@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group on

“The trees will replace those removed earlier this year under Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s gas pipeline safety program.”

“Workers from Our City Forest and the Martin-Fontana Parks Association will provide the new trees during two planting parties at the parks, one on Dec. 16 and the other on Jan. 6. Another couple dozen trees will be planted in the Shadow Brook neighborhood by the local neighborhood association with help from Our City Forest on Dec. 2, according to Councilman Johnny Khamis.”

To read the rest of the story go to Tree Planting.

According to Martin-Fontana Parks Association Director, Richard Zahner, the City’s Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services has committed to provide the water needed to establish the 55 trees. Our City Forest has committed to watering the trees and providing care such as trimming and shaping to assure their survival through the first three years. At that time the trees should be established and should require no more than the routine care provided by PRNS.   In practice the first year will the most demanding, requiring 15 gallons per week.

‘Tree Gator’, a type of plastic water bag

A ‘Tree Gator’, a type of plastic water bag, may be used to control and concentrate the water where it is most beneficial. Watering will be incrementally reduced over the second and third years to promote healthy roots and sustainable growth.

Richard also serves as the Park Planning and Improvement Chairperson for MFPA.

 

27 Nov

Five Island Project update

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in City of San Jose, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, PRNS. Tagged: , , , , .

 

Volunteer Dave Poeschel and PRNS employee Mark Conklin

Early on the morning of Nov 13th. a new Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Services employee, Mark Conklin, met with Martin-Fontana Parks Association President, Rod Carpenter, members Dave Poeschel, Sunny Wagstaff, Rich Grialou and Project Coordinator, Patrick Pizzo. Mark was there to show us how to install the water manifolds that will be used to irrigate the five islands.  These five islands are located in the West end of Jeffrey Fontana Park.  Mark was there to show us on how to install the water manifolds for each of the five islands.  These will provide the connections for the drip lines.

Note: For more info on the project see Five Island Project Becomes a Reality in Jeffrey Fontana Park.

Mark Conklin of PRNS
Dave Poeschel and Patrick Pizzo

Each of the five islands now have irrigation systems.  The next step is to have our ‘sponsors’ commit to a planting date.  For that day, we will ask for volunteers to come help our sponsors plant their plants and lay-out the drip-line, emitter-tubing.  We’ll have to spend a little time too, spreading the wood bark on the islands after planting… to keep weeds down, lower surface temperature and to hold moisture in the soil.

Thanks to Project Coordinator, Patrick Pizzo, for putting all these pipes together in his garage at home and those volunteers who spent about five hours getting the job done.  A BIG thank you to Mark for helping us.  Great work, guys!

Pat Pizzo with his pipes

The sponsors have been contacted and we have asked them for pending dates,

suitable to their schedules.

14 Nov

Clean Up in Jeffrey Fontana Park a Success!

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, City of San Jose, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Park Maintenance, PRNS. Tagged: , , , .

Pascal on the left with friends

Joon on the right
Patrick Pizzo, Sue Bowling, & Linda Wilson
Linda Wilson
Sue Bowling on the right
Sunny Wagstaff
Rich Grailou on the right

On Veteran’s Day, November 11th, the Parks Recreation & Neighborhood Services Adopt-a-Park folks, along with the Martin-Fontana Parks Association, coordinated a clean-up of the area we refer to as the Cotoneaster patch near Tree #13 in Jeffrey Fontana Park.  Thanks to Adopt-a-Park’s Mollie Tobias and Sue Bowling, we had about 20 or more students from many local and not so local schools:  Lynbrook High School, Pioneer High School, San Jose High School, Holy Spirit School, a young man from Cal-Davis (he was here on the weekend to visit his folks), Leland High School, Valley Christian High School and others.  What a terrific Group!  Combine this with a representation of local residents, MFPA members, and community leaders such as Scott Raley, Jane, Kelly, Sunny Wagstaff, Rich Grailou , Linda Wilson, Patrick Pizzo, and our MFPA photographer Susan Mosher, who took some great photos,  and we had one efficient work crew!   We did weeding, removed numerous Oak starts and saplings, planted a replacement plant and, in general,

made one HUGE of debris.     Take a look and see if you don’t agree that the Cotoneaster patch is looking Sharp (no pun intended)!

Thanks to Pat Pizzo, the Project Director shown on the left. 

 

Mollie Tobias, City of San Jose PRNS Program Manager, had this to say:

“As involved and ‘willing-to-sweat-and-get dirty’ neighbors and volunteers, you take ownership and pride in your local park! Thank you for sharing your time and energy! Your sense of pride is a great asset in improving the park and in turn, the entire community! Because of your help, the park is cleaner, safer and more welcoming to all! We appreciate all you do for Jeffrey Fontana and TJ Martin parks!”