September 15, 2005

A pearl emerges downtown

Guadalupe River Park and Gardens surpasses highest expectations

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

An orchestra of chirping birds, drowned out only by the recurrent roar of incoming flights overhead, greeted thousands of community members and city officials on a picture-perfect morning as they gathered to celebrate the long-awaited opening of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens.

The unique convergence of a flood-control project, open space, recreation, and wildlife preservation offers another similar scenario overhead, as the approach of incoming flights seems to dissect the cityscape to the left and a sanctuary to the right.

The theme, “A Park for Many Reasons, A Park For All Seasons,” personifies the unique convergence of a flood-control project, open space, recreation, and wildlife preservation that has essentially been 64 years in the making since it was first discussed in 1941.

The project was put on hold during World War II and again during the Korean War, but continued to evolve to where it sits today, neatly draped atop of a network of concrete tunnels [box culverts] designed to steer floodwaters away from the city while pulling double duty as a working river and a thriving natural habitat. In addition to over 30 plazas sprinkled throughout 250 acres along a 2.6–mile “ribbon” of green flora, bike paths, and educational trails, with exhibits provide an interactive lesson on the river’s history and surrounding ecology, both in and around the area.

The park is expected to draw up to 25,000 people at a time for future venues, festivals, and the like.

Former mayor Tom McEnery is credited with pulling opinionated groups together in 1983, by forming a task force capable of achieving the best of both worlds—a flood-control project nestled within a bustling river park with overwhelming and unanimous public appeal. Photo by Dan Orloff.

At one end of the trail, visitors could take part in a gardening lesson, listen to live music or take in a Celebrity softball game at Clovis Park. The players included former 49ers Rhett Hall and Randy Kirk, Ronnie Lott, Randy Hahn [the voice of the San Jose Sharks], San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis and several of his deputies, Scott Budman from NBC-11, Mercury News sports writer Bud Geracie, and three Saber Kittens who went head to head with members of the “older, wiser” San Jose Rotary Club. Ultimately age and wisdom would prevail, as the Rotary Club left the field with a 7-4 victory and bragging rights to go with it.

“This has been a huge effort,” admitted Kathy Muller, executive director of Friends of the Guadalupe River, as she scanned from one venue to another, making sure they kept running. She could be seen hopping from one event to another, as she coordinated hundreds of volunteers and nearly 100 different activities on six stages stretching from Discovery Meadow to Guadalupe Gardens. “Events alike this are labor intensive, so it’s personally very nice to see it underway.”

Long neglected, the river was once the nucleus of early California settlers who started the orchards that earned the name “The Valley of Heart’s Delight.” It was also the home of the first state capital in 1849, until floods drove politicians to higher ground in Sacramento. By the 1960s, the river had deteriorated into a seedy wasteland, with mostly wayward vagabonds using it for food and shelter.

Perfectly at home under the airport’s flight path, San Jose State aviation students proudly hand out literature to wannabe pilots—nearly one year after the near demise of the university’s aviation department led to a student revolt and a change in leadership.

The initial suggestion to use the park as part of a flood control project came from former Mayor Ron James during his reign [1966-1970]. The plan, which called for a cement ditch that would snake through downtown San Jose, was simply unsuitable according to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who first got involved in the project in 1977.

“But everybody pulled together for decades after that,” she said. “ We spent a lot of time on it and caught a lot of things early. At the end of the day, with that many people and so much effort, we feel really good—not only about the money, but the cause.”

“For a long time, the corps wanted to do a flood project, the water district wanted to do a flood project, and the city wanted to do a park,” explained Shirley Lewis, who chaired the first task force in 1983, before her successful bid for city council. “What was unique about this is that they finally brought everybody together and it has passed from one generation of elected officials and bureaucrats and community people to another.”

“Including five mayors,” added event co-chair David Sandretto, “This has truly been a community project.”

Former 49er lineman Rhett Hall tried to protect the first base line without allowing Sharkie to steal second. Hall was one of many celebrities who took on members of the San Jose Rotary Club, but lost 7-4.

And now, here we are—54 years of plans, 10 years of planting, pruning and construction, five plus mayors, over 1,000 volunteers, five federal, state, and county agencies, 150,000 cubic yards [approx. 330 miles] of concrete, 15,000 trees, 9,000 shrubs, 60,000 groundcover plants, a children’s carousel featuring custom-made animals indigenous to the area and two sharks in honor of their namesakes at the nearby arena, a 3.3-acre historic orchard that offers a glimpse back to the days known as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight,” a rose garden that boasts a unique collection of 3,700 antique and modern roses [more than any other in the western hemisphere], and one thriving ecological habitat later.

While the park is officially open, the vision continues and additional trails along the lower Guadalupe River to where it joins the San Francisco Bay will be completed in 2006. Eventually, trails will continue south to Almaden Valley and complete the Los Gatos Creek Trail which merges with the Guadalupe River at Confluence Point near Santa Clara Street.

Both Lewis and Sandretto stressed the value in having leadership “with vision” when it comes to aggressive
projects such as this..

“People don’t see it,” Lewis said. “They couldn’t see this, but of course, now they think it’s the right thing. We’ve always talked about creating an icon for the city—I think this is it.”

For more information on Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, as well as the upcoming events, including those organized by Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, visit http://www.grpg.org.