May 6, 2004

Almaden Winery Park Youth Play Lot: A labor of love
Completion of youth lot is expected next year thanks to play group’s efforts

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

On the site of what was once the Almaden Winery, the second oldest winery in the state of California, meets an informal neighborhood play group with a mission. Reaching their goal of creating a youth play lot for their growing children at Almaden Winery Park has taken all of their tenacity, perseverance and devotion, and is in the end, a labor of love.

The neighborhood was developed on the winery property in the 1990s by New City Development, and according to playgroup mom Clarice Simmons, the developer also donated money for a tot lot, park, and gardens. The original 1850s winery, and an administration building built in the 1970s remain on the site, as well as fig, pepper, and olive trees. Other landscape features include iron gazebos designed by Thomas Church, oak trees, hedges, lawns, an orchard, and a rose garden. However, as the developer failed to restore the historical character of the winery, which is a California Registered Landmark, local residents brought the matter to the attention of the San Jose City Council, and formed the Almaden Winery Neighborhood Association.

The Neighborhood Association created plans to redesign the park and gardens to reflect the needs of the neighborhood, as well as its history, in the most aesthetically pleasing manner possible. In their first phase, they completed the tot lot, and cleaned up and re-graded the site. They also added lighting, benches, and sidewalks all around the park, and re-shaped the blacktop. “Before that, there was just a dirt pile, bricks and mud there,” comments playgroup mom Amy Paschal.

In the second phase, the Neighborhood Association installed a play lawn, trees, and pathways. Additional phases included plans for restoring the winery building, enhancing the rose garden and vineyards, completing picnic areas, entranceways, a plaza, and a grand central gazebo with paths leading up to it. Through these efforts, the Neighborhood Association hoped to create a relaxing retreat for local residents, as well as a place for children to play, dream and learn.

Children were outgrowing tot lot
However, members of the community playgroup felt that in these designs, some of their children’s needs were not being met. “We were led to believe that the next thing that would be done was the youth lot,” states Paschal. “Unfortunately, when I went to the Almaden Winery Neighborhood Association meeting, I learned that the youth lot was not in the plans.”

"Playgroup mom Dede Smullen was also surprised to find out that the park committee had decided not to build a youth lot, which had previously been in the works, for the second phase of the park development. “It was something we were expecting that we really needed,” she asserts.

“The children were outgrowing the tot lot, so we wanted to get something else out there.”

Playgroup mom Briana Soss agrees. “This neighborhood attracts families and young children, but the toddler lot play structure wasn’t enough for the children approaching school age,” she contends. “The Community Center at the end of the park is being redeveloped, and will have community programs there, and the Vineland Library was constructed, so we’ll be having more families and children in the area,” points out Simmons. And so, Paschal and Simmons joined the Almaden Winery Neighborhood Association’s Park Committee, and met with Vice Mayor Pat Dando, intent on making their dream of a youth play lot a reality.

“The city wasn’t sure the neighborhood was committed to this project, so we did a survey, and sure enough, the youth lot was one of the priorities,” shares Smullen. “Then we went to the city, and they said that if we wanted the youth lot, we’d have to raise some funds, and they’d match it, plus there was some money left over from the park trust fund. We set a goal of raising $50,000 by June 2003, and we did it by May.”

It’s all about fund-raising
To gain fund-raising knowledge and assistance, the playgroup moms turned to Las Madres, a nonprofit organization committed to educating parents, supporting families, and community outreach efforts. “Some of the women who belong to the mothers’ group, as well as Las Madres, told us they wanted to expand their neighborhood park,” says Jacqueline Price, Las Madres director of communications. “They were aware of the success of Jake’s Play Lot, for which we raised $400,000 to create, and asked for our support, and we thought this project was a good collaborative opportunity to aid our community and improve it for the children. They’ve been working really hard, and are on track, and they have held some fund-raisers which Las Madres heavily supported. In this case, they were able to pick up where Jake’s Play Lot left off, and run with it. I’d like to see this kind of thing continue in other geographic areas.”

Among the playgroup’s fund-raising efforts were a Halloween party, silent auction, and special nights at McDonald’s, Fresh Choice, and Chevy’s in which they shared in 10 percent of the profits. They also held a massive neighborhood garage sale—a three-day affair that took five months to plan. “About 50 families contributed items, which the playgroup picked up,” notes playgroup mom Kristin Huget. “We held it in the Vineland Community Center, which stands at one end of the park, and raised $4,000 after storage and moving van expenses. However, their most lucrative fund-raiser of all was their Casino Night at the Bankers Club, which raised $30,000, and was according to Paschal, a lot of work, and a lot of fun. “The rental was almost free,” says Simmons, and Le Papillon’s Executive Chef Scott Cooper, who lives in the area, created a special menu for us and donated his labor.
All told, we raised $50,000, and the city of San Jose did a ‘three-times’ match, adding $150,000, plus the $100,000 remainder of the park trust fund. Without the support of Pat Dando’s office, we wouldn’t have been able to do this.” The design, budget, facilitation and implementation are being carried out through the city of San Jose Parks and Recreation Department.

“The total project cost will probably be around $320,000,” says Vice Mayor Pat Dando, “and the funds that I have set aside are $250,000. The community has raised $50,000 and they’re committed to raising the difference. That’s the kind of community spirit that makes me proud, especially when the city is facing tight budgets.”

When she first met with the moms from the play group, Dando was skeptical that they would be able to raise the $50,000 in such a short time. “I thought it was a wonderful idea that they wanted to create a playground for their neighborhood, and I was very appreciative of their offer to get involved, but I thought that it would take them much longer to raise the money,” said Dando. “I told them that I’d be glad to set aside the funds, but I didn’t want them to be disappointed if it took longer than two or three years for them to raise the difference. But lo and behold, they were very committed and dedicated, and worked hard, and they raised the money far sooner than I ever thought they would, and that just goes to show you that there isn’t any power stronger than a group of mothers that want to provide a special place for their children. I would absolutely recommend other communities getting together, deciding what is important for their neighborhood, and rolling up their sleeves to make it happen. It makes it their park; there’s a real pride of ownership that’s developed.”

For Huget, the best part of being part of a playgroup is meeting new people and a chance to know their neighbors. It’s also a support network. “We’re not from California, and don’t have family here, so knowing neighbors you can call if you need something is very nice,” she affirms. Through the playgroup, she and her daughter have made friends they hope to have for years. She is looking forward to the implementation of the new youth lot play structure and spending more time at their neighborhood park. “We’ve been going to other parks in the area with bigger climbing structures, and it will be nice to be able to just walk to ours,” she enthuses. “One of the really nice things the Park Committee did was to get the input of the kids in the neighborhood. At our neighborhood picnic last year, they had pictures of different playground equipment, and they gave the kids stickers that they could put on the things that they liked.” Paschal feels that this way the kids could have an opportunity to have their say. “One of the things that was really important to us was neighborhood feedback,” she adds.

Paschal recently met with the architect to finalize plans for the youth lot. Budget allowing, their vision includes a play structure with slides and climbing bars, as well as a large net climbing structure and a tire swing. “We did a survey last year and the climbing structures were way at the top,” she comments. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have the room or the money for a rock wall, which the children also wanted.”

There is still more fundraising ahead. According to Paschal, the Youth Lot branch of the Park Committee, made up in large part by play group moms, will be selling park bench plaques for $1,000 each, and engraved granite pavers which will line the youth lot for $200 each.

The community center renovation has recently started, and will be completed in two years. Completion of the youth lot is expected next year.

Smullen looks forward to the installation of the new youth play lot and the realization of the play group’s hard-won goal. “We were surprised at how successful we were, and how much we could actually accomplish,” she asserts.

“It’s a great neighborhood and place to live. Right now we’ve been going outside the neighborhood to other parks, and soon we’ll have our own park to go to. The new youth play lot will bring us all back to the neighborhood.”

Smullen hopes that their playgroup’s efforts will inspire other community groups. “I think people really care about their neighborhoods, and have an interest,” she comments. “People can join neighborhood associations or find their own ways to be involved.”