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26 Jan
Finally, a Dream is becoming a Reality
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/.
18 Jan
Come out and smell the roses has been canceled!
Martin-Fontana Parks Association and the San Jose Parks Dept. are sponsoring a
Get the Rose Garden Ready for Spring! event.
This event has been canceled due to COVID
Where: The rose garden at the west side of McAbee Road and Golden Oak Way.
When: Saturday, Jan. 22nd from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.
What: Join your Park Association to weed, prune and feed the roses and get them ready for a spring bloom!
How: This is a COVID safe event, so bring a picture ID and proof of vaccination. Wear a mask, long sleeves, clothing that covers your legs, (thorns are sharp), and closed shoes. No experience necessary, train on the job! Join the work party as your time allows and help Jeffrey Fontana’s Memorial Rose Garden sparkle.
To sign up and/or get more info, go to Eventbrite.com. You can also sign up at the park on Saturday.
6 Jan
PG&E is trimming & removing trees in our parks today
Per Linda Wilson, the Martin-Fontana Parks Association President, PG&E wanted to cut down and remove seven trees and trim several others. After meeting with the MFPA team, the work was revised to the following:
Two “volunteer” trees growing in Jeffrey Fontana Park, east of Golf Creek, will be removed because they will eventually be a problem with the wires.
Four Golden Rain trees along Golden Oak Way will be trimmed instead of removed.
Tree 13 at the corner of Castello Drive and Golden Oak Way will be trimmed.
Several “volunteer’ trees along the fence line with the Villas will be removed or trimmed. The Pyracantha will remain as well as the other brush.
In TJ Martin Park, one tree that shades the bench near Burchell Ave. will be trimmed instead of removed.
The Liquid Amber trees along Oak Glen Way will be sloped (trimmed) away from the wires.
6 Dec
Five Islands Ready for Winter
A big THANK YOU to the volunteers who came out Nov. 14th and worked for several hours pruning, clearing brush, cleaning the pathway and the Antje Hirt memorial bench. The crew consisted of Christine Noordam, Michele La Plante, Kelly Shepherd, Linda Wilson, Dave Poeschel, Dan and Ian Judd, Rich Grialou, and Christopher Reed. Now the native plants in all five islands and the pathway are ready for a winter nap.
Special thanks to Ernie Hirt who came out to enjoy the bench under the oak tree that commemorates his late wife. Ernie and his wife were among the 46 neighbors who originally formed MFPA to save our park trees from the PG&E chain saws back in 2010.
Once again, thank you all so much!
Linda Wilson,
President of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association
*For those who don’t know where the Five Islands are, they are located at the west end of Jeffrey Fontana Park. They consist of 5 individual native plant islands.
20 Oct
See what you missed at our last Heart of the Park Celebration
*Thanks to our MFPA photographer, Wayne Opp for all these great photos!
18 Oct
Heart of the Park Celebration
*Thanks to our MFPA photographer, Wayne Opp and former District 10 Councilmember. Johnny Khamis for their great photos.
18 Oct
The Founding Fathers of our Martin-Fontana Parks Association
Vince Piazisi, Dick Stevens, & Pier Maggiani receive Certificates of Appreciation from MFPA president, Linda Wilson for being the original founders of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association back in 2010 at yesterday’s Heart of the Park Celebration. (Photo by Johnny Khamis)
MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION 