Thanks to the folks who came out to help water the oak saplings and to our own Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Supervisor Jesse, his son, and Boy Scout Troop 250 for paving the way to smooth trails ahead.
Archive for the ‘Drought’ Category
3 May
Tree Watering in Guadalupe Oak Grove Park
Saturday May 1st was spent tree watering with the Friends of Guadalupe Oak Grove Park
and San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
It was a workout! But it was well worth it to spend time in our favorite park and to make sure we maintain it for generations to come. Thanks to all the volunteers who spent their morning with us!
25 Nov
A updated video of the Five Island Project by Patrick Pizzo
These Islands were created by the Martin-Fontana Parks Association (MFPA) to provide alternative landscape features using California Native plants. The five berms, or islands, are situated between Heritage Coast Live Oaks and were finalized in January of 2018. They are in Jeffrey Fontana Park just across the street from 1278 Oakglen Way in San Jose.
2 Oct
Please don’t pick the flowers. Oops! I meant to say FLAGS….
You may have seen green/blue and red irrigation flags in one area of Guadalupe Oak Grove Park between two of the main walking trails. These flags represent a project being done in cooperation with District 10. They mark a 30 foot-wide swath from trail to trail, and all the one-year old, baby Valley and Blue Oak shoots that are growing within. These shoots are to be ‘caged’ in chicken wire cages to protect them, watered and encouraged to live as they are to be the replacement trees for the Blue and Valley Oak trees we are losing to the extended drought and other issues. The flags are there because after the deciduous native oak trees drop their leaves they will be ‘invisible’ but for the subsequent caging. Blue and Valley Oaks will not regenerate due to the high-weed and grass load in the park and the out-competing Coast Live Oaks which are overtaking the open Savannah.
Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
Pat Pizzo
3 Nov
District 9 Councilmember Donald Rocha submits Memorandum on Park Maintenance to City Council Rules Committee
The following is a quote from Councilmember Rocha’s newsletter:
“Dear Neighbor,
Over recent months, I’ve received an increasing number of complaints from residents about the condition of parks in my district. Residents report problems such as dead grass, dead trees, overgrown weeds and decaying fixtures. In many cases they have waited patiently for these problems to be fixed, but are increasingly frustrated at the City’s continued inability to address their concerns. (As an example of the kinds of complaints I’ve heard, I’ve included some pictures of our parks at the end of this newsletter.) Given the seriousness of the problem, I have issued a memorandum intended to help bring forward potential solutions to the problem in time for next year’s City budget.”
Click here to read Councilmember Rocha’s memorandum
21 Sep
San Jose Mercury News interviews MFPA President Linda Wilson concerning park conditions
Martin, Fontana parks get a boost
By Julia Baum
jbaum@bayareanewsgroup.com
SAN JOSE — Preserving some of the city’s most prized natural treasures has been an ongoing challenge for the Martin-Fontana Parks Association, which hosts its seventh annual “Heart of the Park” fundraiser and membership drive on Saturday.
This year, the volunteer group is spotlighting its struggle to maintain or upgrade TJ Martin and Jeffrey Fontana parks with dwindling resources.
The group and San Jose’s parks and recreation department want to see new irrigation systems and turf installed in three areas, including the soccer fields. Native plants and mature oak trees thrive in the 33 acres that make up both parks, but non-native assets such as a grove of redwoods have been struggling to survive this past year due to budget cuts, drought and even gophers and squirrels.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
22 Jun
Seventeen Trees Planted in our Parks
Photo by Councilman Johnny Khamis
Photo by Councilman Johnny Khamis
On Sat. June 18th., a crew from Our City Forest, along with volunteers, planted a total of 17 trees at TJ Martin and Jeffrey Fontana Parks. OCF worked with the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department to determine the planting locations. All trees planted were on PG&E’s approved tree list for trees under power lines. Twelve trees were planted in east TJ Martin Park near Meridian Ave.
Two trees were planted along the curb of Oakglen Way in Jeffrey Fontana Park,
two were planted along the curb south of the dog parks, and
one was planted near the Fontana statue.
Funds were provided by a grant OCF had for tree planting and watering. Thanks so much for all the hard work provided by the volunteers. This will help to replace some of the many dead trees felled by the drought.
12 Sep
Is the drought killing trees?
In the interest of saving trees we offer the following:
San Jose Mercury News 09-12-2015
Residents’ efforts to conserve may be fueling the problem
By Kevin Kelly
MENLO PARK — The city claims the heritage oak as its symbol, but the actual trees that line its streets might not feel particularly adored.
The leader of the city’s Fire Department says some trees along his route are in such sad shape that he recently brought up the idea of forming a task force to make sure they’re getting enough water during the drought, now in its fourth year. He even broached the idea of sending firefighters out in a truck to water threatened trees along the rights of way if the cities in its coverage area were unwilling to set up a system to monitor the trees’ health.
Follow the link below to view the article.
http://sanjosemercurynews.ca.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=2dd02d63b
Helpful info is also provided at: http://saveourwater.com/what-you-can-do/tips/landscaping/save-our-water-and-our-trees/
17 Aug
TREES IN PERIL ACROSS STATE
Saving water during drought yields unintended consequence
By Lisa M. Krieger
The rush to save water is claiming legions of unintended casualties — California’s trees.
Specimens that have stood tall and strong for decades are stressed and dying because of the drought, as Californians turn off spigots to comply with Gov. Jerry Brown’s mandatory conservation measures.
PATRICK TEHAN/STAFF PHOTOS
HOW TO SAVE YOUR TREES
Clear grass to at least 6 inches from the trunk’s base. Some arborists suggest clearing it to the tree’s drip line.Cover the area with wood chips or other mulch to help maintain soil moisture, being careful not to let mulch touch the trunk.If the tree is younger than 5 years old, it needs 10 to 15 gallons of water per week during the growing season. Water established trees once a month, applying 10 gallons for each inch of the trunk’s diameter. Established oaks should be watered only during the Bay Area’s normal rainy season when there’s no precipitation.Water trees slowly, using a soaker hose or drip system. Continue watering a tree until the soil from beneath the canopy to slightly outside the drip line is moist 12 to 18 inches below the surface.
MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION 