Santa Clara County Parks

Los Gatos Creek Dog Park Reopens! I know you’ve all been waiting with bated breath to hear the status of our lovely Killdeer babies. Today, I’m happy to say the family has moved on and the Los Gatos Creek dog park has been re-opened. Between 1970 and 2017, the USGS teamed up with the Canadian Wildlife Service and Audubon Society to study bird populations in North America. Their findings showed a heart-wrenching decline of 2.9 billion individual birds, representing a 30% drop ...in breeding bird numbers. These numbers are more highly concentrated in California. As parks employees, we all must do our part to protect declining populations and preserve regional parklands for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Please be on the lookout for nesting birds in your parks! According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service there are 1,094 species of birds which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! Will you be the next one to spot and protect a nest? Migratory Bird Treaty Act https://www.federalregister.gov//general-provisions-revise

Happy Fourth of July from Santa Clara County Parks! Please be safe this evening!

Freedom Fest in Morgan Hill

Last training burn day at Santa Teresa with San Jose Fire and Cal Fire. Next step will be to cut off the teasel heads. #ResourceManagement #PrescriptionFires #MultiAgency

The parking lot/gates will be closed at Alviso Marina County Park at 5pm on Saturday, 7/3 and remain closed through Sunday, 7/4, in an effort to prevent fireworks. This is a collaborated effort between Councilmember Cohen’s office, San Jose Police Department as well as representatives from San Jose Fire, San José Code Enforcement and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office.

Let the summer fun begin!

RED FLAG WARNING 10pm Wednesday to 8am Friday This will include Ed Levin, Sanborn, Almaden Quicksilver, Calero, Anderson, Santa Teresa, Uvas Canyon, Madonna and Coyote Lake and Grant. Upper Stevens Creek and Stevens Creek Parks will also be included in the Red Flag Warning. The Core at Stevens Creek (Villa Maria, and the other day use sites at Chestnut and Bay Tree) will not be effected. No fires or briquettes will be allowed, propane use only.

Read the November eNewsletter to find out what's happening in your County Parks. November highlights include Ranger Aylara's gripping story of the Marsh Fire at Grant Park, Fantasy of Lights, #PixInParks challenge, Parks Trivia night, Bats - Superheroes of the Night, Trail Watch Academy and more! Read all about it here: https://conta.cc/2HMWzwb

How does a bird fly? How does a bobcat leap? Is it something they have learned or perhaps they’re built that way? Join park interpreter Travis, for some free skele-FUN about how skeletons shape how animals move and how that affects their survival. Show up on Zoom in your appropriate family friendly Halloween costume to show some spooky holiday spirit and for a short costume contest at the end! Best for ages 12+. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/QQFQsf1JHB4cy6v77

For event information and tickets visit: https://www.sccgov.org//parks/fol/Pages/fol-drive-thru.aspx

We expect high temperatures this weekend, so play it safe to reduce your risk of exhaustion or injury during extreme heat. When venturing out on the trails, whether it’s hiking, biking or equestrian, let’s be safe by following the tips below. Be sure to stay hydrated, along with your fellow companions (don’t forget our four-legged friends) and don’t overexert yourself on the trails.

Who's hungry?! Learn how to make pasties with Park Interpreter Rachel. The pasty is a traditional meal eaten by miners who worked at the New Almaden mercury mines. Be sure to listen for the code word to win your Play Like a Miner prize. Download Activity Booklet: https://www.sccgov.org//Almaden-Quicksilver-Mining-Museum. Video also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tFNrQgJSmj8

Fantasy of Lights - Tickets on Sale NOW! Opens Friday, Dec. 4 through Wednesday, Dec. 30, 6-10pm nightly. Closed Christmas Day, 12/25. Purchase your ticket for a specific time slot (30-minute windows between 6:00pm - 9:30pm) is required for entry. YOU MUST PURCHASE A TICKET ONLINE BEFORE ARRIVAL, as no tickets will be sold at the park entrance. ... For event information and to purchase your ticket visit: https://www.sccgov.org//parks/fol/Pages/fol-drive-thru.aspx

If you weren’t already aware, this month was Filipino-American History Month. As we reflect on what has been going on this month, we’d like to also recognize the history of Filipino Americans in the Santa Clara Valley. We want to share an image from Cottle Ranch, now Martial Cottle Park, where Filipino farmworkers contributed to our agricultural legacy. Pictured here, you can see Filipino workers harvesting sugar beets in 1946. During WWII, some of the beets were fermented into alcohol for munitions, and in the years following the war they were sold to sugar companies. Thank you for honoring and celebrating the legacy of Filipino-Americans, who make a difference in our community every day!

Reminder: Please do not trespass into the closed areas of Anderson Reservoir. This includes Woodchoppers, Toyon Picnic area, and the trail from Live Oak to the top of the dam. This closure will be in effect for approximately 10 years. Please respectfully enjoy Live Oak picnic area and the Coyote Creek Trail and maintain your distance from others. https://www.valleywater.org/anderson-dam-project

Ed Levin County Park is OPEN! Due to high wind hazards the park was temporarily closed yesterday.