MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION Saving our Park Trees

Several years ago, Martin-Fontana Park Association members, Gail and Chuck Haywood,

had a dream of having a smooth patch of lawn where people and dogs could relax under the trees by the dog park.  They eventually moved out of the area, but before they left, they donated $2000 to MFPA in the hope that someday their dream would become a reality.

Last year the San Jose City Council, with the urging of D-10 Councilman Matt Mahan’s office, set aside park funding for a pilot turf project in Jeffrey Fontana Park in front of the dog park.  A combination of $7000 from the D-10 Council office, $15,000 from Martin-Fontana Parks Association, and $20,000 from the San Jose Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Services Department. NPRS is funding this pilot project in our park as a way to determine if gopher wire can be an effective means of protecting the turf in our parks.

In mid-January of 2022, the work of removing old turf and rocks from the park area began.  When that step Is completed, PRNS will lay gopher wire in the bare space and plant turf over the wire.  The project will eventually expand to the entire turf area in front of the dog park. 

When you visit the park make sure to follow the progress of this pilot endeavor to create a safe turf area for playing, picnicking, and relaxing. 

*Here’s a link from a previous posting with more info: https://martinfontanaparksassociation.blog/2021/09/11/the-chuck-and-gail-haywood-project/.