Archive for November 27th, 2017

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.