On Sat, July 10th., sixteen volunteers from the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors* came out in the 90°+ heat to refresh the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Garden. We were joined by Johnny Khamis, the past City Council member and now the Public Relations Consultant for SCCAOR, and a couple of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services staffers, Eddie and Lalo. All worked diligently to pull weeds, cut prune tree suckers, gently deadhead the roses, and feed each rose bush in the block long garden.
Chris Chen & Linda Wilson
Signing up
30 bags of mulch
Tools provided by Adopt-a-Park
Photo by Johnny Khamis
The work party was organized by the Martin-Fontana Parks Association working with San Jose’s Adopt-a-Park volunteer unit and PRNS maintenance workers from our District One Maintenance Dept. Funding from MFPA member donations provided the rose feed, and 30 bags of mulch that were spread to preserve the sprinkler water during the summer. Thanks to Johnny Khamis and PRNS staffers Eddie and Lalo who provided extra help and support.
Thanks also to MFPA member Dave Gonzalez (wearing the white shirt) who signed in the volunteers and provided energy snacks! And thanks to our MFPA photographer, Wayne Opp for all the photos.
On Saturday the 25th of Jan, with the help of over thirtyvolunteers and a their hard work, the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden was pruned and weeded. Members of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR) provided most of the muscle along with other volunteers. Now the roses are all set for some beautiful blooms this coming season.
Linda Wilson, the President of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association, provided 10 bags of mulch and some rose food. MFPA member, Rosy Bowring brought along 2 dozen assorted doughnuts to feed the troops. Adopt-a-Park’s Sue Bowling was there with the Adopt-a-Park trailer and work supplies. Thanks also to Mollie Tobias, City of San Jose’s Program Manager for Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services for setting this all up.
Let us not forget who wasn’t there, Patrick Pizzo.
Pat was always there to show everybody how the trimming was done. We will miss seeing his smiling face and having him show us how to trim a rose bush Things just weren’t the same with out him being there.
A photo display of Pat was provided by MFPA member, Sunny Wagstaff, showing his many years of service and dedication in making our parks more beautiful with native plants.
Patrick Pizzo, a long time member and guiding light of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association passed away on the 2nd of January 2020 at the age of 75. If you look around our two parks, you will see many examples of his handy work. Pat was the brains & brawn behind all the native plant islands located in Jeffrey Fontana Park. His most extensive creation was the 5 Islands Project near Meridian Ave.
Six years ago, Officer Fontana’s Memorial Rose Garden was adopted by the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors . They stepped up with grants to fund the upkeep of the garden on McAbee Road, and volunteered to work in the garden twice a year to help keep it maintained.
Saturday, May 25, the Realtors joined Martin Fontana Parks Association volunteers and two employees of San Jose’s Adopt-a-Park program, to weed, trim trees, remove plum tree suckers, and spread rose fertilizer and mulch over Jeffrey’s garden.
Linda Wilson signing folks in
Matt Mahan is digging it
Linda Opp feeding the roses
Pat Pizzo trys to move the boulder
Weeding & trimming
MFPA extends a big ‘THANKS” and job well done to Realtors Scott Raley, Doug Goss, Frank Cancilla and Neil Collins, assisted by MFPA members Linda Opp, Linda Wilson, Patrick Pizzo, Matt Mahan, and Chris Chen.
Thanks also to San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services for providing all the equipment needed.
*Wayne Opp, our new official MFPA photographer, aptly recorded the action.
Wayne Opp
Don’t forget, as you pass by Fontana Park on McAbee Road, to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the beauty of the garden.
President Rod Carpenter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm last Wednesday, Feb. 13, addressing an overflow audience of members and guests.
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Deputy Director, Justin Long, summarized some of the changes that are being made to improve the efficiency of park maintenance. A new “Activate San Jose” plan will be the new parks’ guiding document and should be in available to the public in June for community review. MFPA will alert our members when it is presented.
Mr. Long and Dan Greeley, our Maintenance District Supervisor, spoke about the rodent problem affecting many San Jose parks, including ours. They outlined the action that PRNS will be taking to alleviate the problem, and then answered questions from the floor.
Outgoing President, Rod Carpenter highlighted the achievements of MFPA during his two-year tenure:
Completion of the native plant Five Islands Project
Construction of the “Surf Shack” tool shed
Repair of the Meridian fence at TJ Martin Park
The Planting of over fifty new trees in both parks
Completion of the “Beautility” Water Vault Painting project
Partnership with PRNS Adopt-a-Park Program and Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, (SCCAOR), to maintain existing projects like the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden
Perhaps the most significant achievement of Rod’s term was the completion of the “Right of Entry” agreement with PRNS allowing MFPA to hire qualified contractors to work in the parks on MFPA projects!
Outgoing Secretary, Rich Grialou was honored with the “President’s Award” and received a plaque in appreciation of his contributions to MFPA.
President Rod Carpenterwas presented with a plaque honoring his dedication and determination to oversee the accomplishments of the last two years.
The new Board of Directors goals for the next year include:
Ongoing maintenance projects with PRNS Adopt-a-Park and SCCAOR
The annual Heart of the Park Celebration on May 18, 2019
Continued collaboration with PRNS and the City to improve our parks
Held at The Villas Clubhouse, light hors d’oeuvres were served along with wine and other beverages .
Volunteer bartenders Robert Braunstein & Greg Caillat
Awards were presented along with MFPA pins to the 55 volunteers attending
MFPA President Rod Carpenter presents MFPA Project Director Larry Sasscer his Volunteer of the Year award for his outstanding service
MFPA President Rod Carpenter presents SCCAOR Director Frank Cancilla with an award in appreciation for their ongoing service and support
Present for the event were San Jose Parks Commission Chairman, Rudy Flores and his wife Denise, and District 10 Councilman, Johnny Khamis
The MFPA Board of Directors all received Elephants from MFPA President Rod Carpenter. In case you were wondering, Rod’s favorite saying is “You can eat an elephant if you take a bite at a time“.
Gifts for the MFPA Board
Board members Linda Opp, Robert Braunstein, Richard Grialou, & Rod Carpenter
Richard Zahner helps Linda Wilson unwrap her gift
Surprise! It’s an Elephant!
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
*Thanks to our wonderful photographer, Susan Mosher, for such great photos!
Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden clean up Crew
Thanks to the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR), who came out in force last Saturday on May 20th, the Memorial Garden looks better than ever. They were assisted by five members of the Pioneer High School Key Club, who are mentored by the Kiwanis, and members of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
It’s been five years since the SCCAOR Foundation adopted the Memorial Garden and pledged more than $4000 toward its upkeep, besides volunteering their time and hard work each spring and fall to maintain the beautiful red and white theme. Chairman of the group is Frank Cancilla
The Martin-Fontana Parks Association greatly appreciates SCCAOR’s funding and volunteerism for the last five years. We salute their members who contribute so much to the lasting beauty of the garden that was planted to memorialize Officer Jeffrey Fontana. Officer Fontana was killed in the line of duty while patrolling our neighborhoods.
*Photos provided by Nancy Kalashian. Thanks, Nancy.
On the left, Santa Clara County Association of Realtors’ Bonnie Wilson hands a check for $500 to MFPA President Linda Wilson. Assisting with the donation is realtor Marlene Cavello on the right. SCCAOR continues to provide us excellent support with volunteers and funds to help maintain the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Garden. The garden is on McAbee Road near Golden Oak in Fontana Park.
Click here for our latest Newsletter: 
