A proposal to fund the remaining portion of a project to restore and make usable a .05 acre patch of grass located in tront of the Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park was submitted by Councilmember Matt Mahan’s office to San Jose City’s mayor Sam Liccardo. The proposal is to repair the turf in front of the dog park at Jeffrey Fontana Park with new sod and gopher wire.
Martin-Fontana Parks Association has saved $15,000 to contribute to the project along with Councilmember Matt Mahan’s office contributing $7,000.
This weekend, some good folks from Our City Forest will come out to visit some of the beautiful California native plant landscaping projects that Pat Pizzo designed and led volunteers to build including along Capitancillos Dr. in the Oak Canyon neighborhood and the 5 Islands Project in Jeffrey Fontana Park. Don’t be alarmed if you see them snipping away at the plants. They will be collecting cuttings to root and grow in their 501(c)3 non-profit nursery for the benefit of all!
No, they’re not Zombies emerging from the woods, they’re volunteers.
Halloween Day saw several masked Martin-Fontana Parks Association volunteers meet at the Five Islands in Jeffrey Fontana Park with rakes in hand. Forty bags of mulch were spread among the islands by the hard working volunteers, assuring that the Islands were tucked in and ready for the winter rains. To help keep the weeds at bay, the MFPA volunteers spread Preen (a weed preventer that stops weeds from germinating) around the islands. After running short on mulch, Stacey Winters made a run to Outdoor Supply Hardware to return with enough mulch to finish the job!
Many thanks to Pieter Noordam, Dan and Michelle Judd with son Jared, Stacey Winters, Dave Poeschel, Rich Grialou, Kelly Shepherd and husband, Dave Gonzales, Star Taylor, organizer Linda Wilson, and MFPA Photographer Wayne Opp. Additional thanks to Pat Burrow who also contributed pictures of the hard working masked team.
A bench dedicated to Antje Hirt, a former MFPA member who spent many mornings walking her little dog in the park, has provided a quiet place to sit and contemplate for several park walkers since its installation last summer. Plans are being made to compliment the bench with a Manzanita plant on each side.
From left to right, Steve Barnes, Donna Barnes, Laura Perret, Gregory Fontana, Sandy Fontana, and Kathy Rogers. *Photo taken in 2014.
October 28th of this year will mark 19 years since Officer Fontana was killed in the line of duty in 2001 by a gunshot from a suspicious motorist on whom he had just initiated a vehicle stop for a follow-up criminal investigation.
The photo above was from a 2014 Memorial held in Jeffrey Fontana Park that was attended by family and friends.
Following the new County and State orders and guidance, the City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is taking a phased approach to reopening over 290 playgrounds and exercise equipment beginning on Friday, October 23.
Those who choose to use the newly opened amenities must follow all posted signage as well as County Public Health Orders. Guidelines for use include washing or sanitizing your hands before and after using playground/exercise equipment; wearing face coverings at all times; keeping a six-foot distance from those outside of your household; staying home if anyone in the household is ill; not sharing personal items or toys; and sanitizing equipment before and after use with EPA approved disinfectants as the equipment is not sanitized.
Parents and caretakers are responsible for ensuring that their children are playing safe and following all of the rules. Do your part to protect your family and others against COVID-19 by following these guidelines. The City of San José will continue to monitor our parks and facilities to ensure the safety and wellness of our community.
Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park
Dog Parks
San Jose’s 13 dog parks will open on Tuesday, June 9. Residents and their four-legged friends who choose to use the reopened dog parks must follow all posted signage and abide by all Santa Clara County Public Health Orders and conditions. This includes staying home if you or your pet are sick, and not entering a dog park if you can’t stay six feet away from others.
Dog park visitors must stay out of closed areas and not share recreational equipment with others. A face covering is required unless you meet the exemptions in the County Health Officer’s Critical Guidance on Face Coverings. Water fountains remain closed until further notice, please bring your own water.
San Jose’s 13 dog parks will open on Tuesday, June 9. Residents and their four-legged friends who choose to use the reopened dog parks must follow all posted signage and abide by all Santa Clara County Public Health Orders and conditions. This includes staying home if you or your pet are sick, and not entering a dog park if you can’t stay six feet away from others.
Dog park visitors must stay out of closed areas and not share recreational equipment with others. A face covering is required unless you meet the exemptions in the County Health Officer’s Critical Guidance on Face Coverings. Water fountains remain closed until further notice, please bring your own water.
The City of San José will be closing all community centers effective immediately, with exception to the Senior Nutrition Program. The Senior Nutrition Program has transitioned to a boxed pick-up lunch format until further notice.
Also, Playgrounds are closed to prevent cross contamination of COVID-19 in children and youth.
Park and trail users must refrain from using parks or trails if they are sick or exhibiting symptoms; maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from others; and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on personal hygiene prior to, during, and after use.
MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION 