TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Jon Cicirelli
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Report on the City Charter DATE: April 21, 2025 Regarding Parks
Approved Date
4/22/25
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the report on the historical implementation of Section 1700 of the City Charter (Charter Parks) and site inventory of Charter Parks as outlined in Attachment A and memorialize the policy on how Section 1700 on Charter Parks is applied.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
On November 29, 2022, the City Council accepted a report (Item 8.3) on site identification and operational consideration for the Quick-Build Emergency Interim Housing
1 and directed the City Manager to “develop a citywide definition for parkland- chartered status and a process to retroactively declare all Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) properties that meet the definition as Charter Parks.” The City Council’s direction was in response to the confusion surrounding Noble Park 2 in District 4 and whether Noble Park was a “Charter Park” as defined in Section 1700 of the City Charter.
3 The purpose of this memorandum is to:
1) Encapsulate the City’s historical interpretation and application of Section 1700 of the City Charter since 1965;
2) Memorialize the criteria for how Section 1700 has been and will continue to be applied to all City public park properties;
1 November 29, 2022 City Council Agenda:
https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=999878&GUID=CDB0A6FB-AC1C-4101-BF06- DB5E8796244A
2 Noble Park, also known as the Noble Site or Penitencia Creek Park Chain. 3 The City Council voted on November 29, 2022 to remove Noble Park from consideration for emergency interim housing.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 5/6/25
FILE:
ITEM:
25-469
7.1 HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
3) Provide historical background on the City Charter4 as it relates to City public parks dating back to 1896; and
4) Develop an inventory of Charter Parks.
The City Charter addresses the use of City public parks in Sections 1700 through 1702 and has protected City public parks since 1896 with the current Section 1700 approved by the voters in 1965. Any changes to the City Charter would require voter approval.
Section 1700 sets forth the general rule with respect to the use of City public parks:
• The City’s public parks shall be “inalienable5,” unless otherwise authorized by a majority of the voters.
• Without a vote, however, the City may lease its parks, including buildings or other structures located in the parks, or grant permits, licenses or concessions in the parks for a term not to exceed three years. • Section 7 defines “public parks” as “…any and all City lands which are dedicated, improved, and opened to the public for public park purposes.”
Historically, the City has considered “public parks” as “Charter Parks” when the City owns the land (fee title), or has unrestricted access through an easement in perpetuity, the land has been improved with recreational or park improvements and opened to the public for public park purposes (allowing the public to access and use the improved City land). The application of Section 1700 in the City Charter has generally been straightforward since 1965 with the exceptions of a few instances when City lands have not been fully improved consistent with the City’s long-term vision for the site but is opened to the public (such as Noble Park). In the past, there has been confusion as to whether these City lands are Charter Parks. This memorandum will provide clarity on the interpretation and application of Section 1700. As a result, as shown in Attachment A, the PRNS Department has begun the creation of a Charter Parks inventory list that will be managed, updated, and posted on the City’s public website.
BACKGROUND
City Charter
The California Constitution authorizes the voters to adopt a city charter. A city charter operates as a “constitution” for a city and provides power to make and enforce all ordinances and regulations over its municipal affairs. San José’s City Charter establishes rules and procedures the City must use to govern and operate. Sections 1700 through 1702 of the City Charter establishes the rules about the use of “public parks.” Public park is defined in the City Charter “…as any and all lands of the City
4 San José City Charter: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/appointees/city-clerk/city-charter 5 Inalienable means something that cannot be taken away or given up, like a basic right or freedom that belongs to everyone.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
which have been or are dedicated, improved and opened to the public for public park purposes.” The PRNS Department’s role is to manage and operate the City’s park system. Thus, the staff memorandum focuses on the City properties and assets that are managed and operated by the PRNS Department.
The City Charter has protected City public parks since 1896 and reconfirmed this commitment as established by the voters in 1965 with the inclusion of Section 1700.
The full text of Section 1700 is as follows:
“Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Charter, the public parks of the City shall be inalienable unless otherwise authorized by the affirmative votes of the majority of the electors voting on such a proposition in each case; provided and excepting, however, that the same or any interest therein, or any concessions or privileges therein or in any building or structure situate therein, may be leased by the City Council, or the City Council may grant permits or licenses for the same, without any vote of any electors, if the term of each such lease or permit does not exceed three (3) years. As used herein “public parks” means any and all lands of the City which have been or are dedicated, improved and opened to the public for public park purposes.”
The current City Charter was adopted by the voters’ election in April of 1965, replacing the prior City Charter, which was adopted by the voters in 1915 and became effective in 1916. A prior version from 1896 states that “parks could not be leased or sold…without a vote of the people.” Attachment B provides a summarized History of Section 1700 of the City Charter and how it has evolved over the years.
After reviewing different versions of the City Charter, dating back to 1896, it is clear that the voters of San José have intended to protect City public parks and want to make sure that City public parks are “inalienable” – meaning the use cannot change to a different use without voter approval. In fact, the language in the City Charter from 1916 and then in 1965 used the word “inalienable” to clearly illustrate their intention.
As explained in detail below, in most instances, the analysis of what a Charter Park is, is very simple. For example, the City has fee title to land, designs and constructs a park, and then opens it to the public. In other instances, the City may not have the resources to fully construct recreational or park improvements right away but would have fee title to the land. In these instances, if the City makes minimal improvements to a site to allow the public to use the land, then it would be considered Charter parkland. Some may argue that this does not meet the definition of “public parks” under the City Charter.
However, as explained below, staff believes that in such instances the City has 1) made the land usable and safe for public access, and 2) has allowed public access to the land, thus meeting the definition of a Charter Park. This would seem to be consistent with the will and intent of the voters and consistent with the historical interpretation and application of Section 1700.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
Identifying Chartered Parkland
In short, the City recognizes Chartered parkland as parkland when the following three- prong criteria is met:
1. The City owns the land (fee title), or has unrestricted access to the land through an easement in perpetuity;
2. The land has been improved with recreational or park improvements (passive or active improvements); and
3. The land is opened to the public for public park purposes (allowing the public to access and use the improved City land).
Applying these criteria to identify, define, and use public parkland has generally been a straightforward effort (since 1965); however, as available land in the City becomes more limited and unavailable to use for other purposes, it has become important to clarify what is considered Chartered parkland.
ANALYSIS
Consistent with City Council direction, PRNS has conducted a site inventory of lands that PRNS manages that meet the definition of a Charter Park. PRNS currently manages 221 traditional park sites that are accessible and open to the public. Of those 221 parks, 207 parks qualify as a Charter Park per Section 1700 of the City Charter.
These 207 parks are dedicated by the City, improved, and accessible to the public. The following section discusses how Section 1700 has been applied and will continue to be applied to all City public park properties.
Parks Dedicated and Opened to the Public
The definition of public parks under the City Charter has three-pronged criteria. Two of the criteria – dedicated and opened to the public for public park purposes – are straightforward, easy to determine, and definitive. The third criterion is improved and will be discussed later in the memorandum. The City has had a consistent interpretation and application of the criteria for dedicated and open for many years. Dedicated means the City either has ownership of the land in fee simple, or there is an easement in place in perpetuity providing the City full unrestricted access to the land for public park purposes. Opened to the public for public park purposes means that the public can access the park and enjoy the space. In other words, the City has made the space useable and safe for public use. This also includes open space in its natural condition with minimal or no improvements intended to be opened to the public.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
Park Improvements
Although dedicated and opened to the public are straightforward, the improved criteria can at times create questions or confusion. The Penitencia Creek Park Chain Reach 2 Master Plan, adopted by City Council in 2002, also known as the Noble Park or Site, is a good example. This City parkland is owned by the City in fee simple. There is a City Council approved Master Plan for Penitencia Creek Park Chain and Trail system that includes extension of the Penitencia Creek Trail, as well as irrigated turf area for informal play, picnic sites, BBQ pits, restrooms, and other park improvements. The City has not implemented the Penitencia Creek Park Chain Reach 2 Master Plan but has made improvements to the site to allow the public to access and safely use the site. For example, the City has improved the Penitencia Creek Trail to an open gravel trail, and the City has improved the parking lot to allow patrons to park, installed various park signs, provided a gate, installed benches, a water drinking fountain, trash bins, and an irrigation system and has provided regular maintenance. The public can use the site as a passive open space similar to many other passive open spaces. PRNS believes this meets the definition of being “improved” under the City Charter and is consistent with what the voters intended to protect as a Charter Park. The Penitencia Creek Park Chain is an example of the City’s consistent historical interpretation and application of “improved” which has meant any degree of improvements made to City land for the purpose of making it accessible and usable by the public for park and recreation purposes.
Staff has applied this three-prong criteria to all City public parks to develop an inventory of Charter Park statuses. Most public park sites meet the three-prong Charter Park criteria with little explanation needed. Also, community gardens, dog parks, and sports facilities are being treated the same as other public parks, in that if they meet the three- prong criteria, they are also considered Charter Parks. However, there are a few instances where it is prudent to clarify how the criteria was applied in the past and to provide additional background information on how the Charter Park status applies to these specific park asset types. These assets, which include golf courses, trails, and community centers, are discussed further below.
Golf Courses
The City owns the following golf courses: San José Municipal Golf Course, Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course, and Los Lagos Golf Course. These municipal golf courses are under long term leases with a provider. Historically, golf courses were analyzed specifically depending on the purpose of the purchase of the land. For example, the San José Municipal Golf Course was purchased for the express purpose of use as a golf course and thus caused confusion about whether it should be considered a Charter Park even though it is for recreational use. Conversely, if a golf course was constructed on previously designated parkland, then historically it would be considered a Charter Park, even with a golf course present, which is the case with Los Lagos Golf Course.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
For the purpose of consistency, staff considers all three stand-alone golf courses as Charter Parks since they meet the three-prong criteria of dedicated, improved and opened to the public. Some could argue that golf courses have limited public access because they are “pay to play” and thus should not be considered a Charter Park, for example golf courses have an admissions price. However, there are other Charter Parks that fit that operational model due to high maintenance and operational needs, including the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, History San José, and the Action Sports Park, which are at Kelley Park and Lake Cunningham and meet the Charter Park criteria.
Trails/Linear Parks
Historically, trails have not been considered Charter Parks. Most trails are comprised of many parcels of varying ownerships that made it difficult to categorize trail segments and major alignments. Staff recommends applying a consistent approach across asset types and those trail segments that meet the definition of a Charter Park and would be considered as such moving forward. Thus, trails that are City-owned, (without encumbrances or restrictions on City recreational or park uses), improved, and opened to the public will be considered a Charter Park. However, it would only be the 24’ wide trail segment that would be considered a Charter Park and not the entire parcel to preserve open space, natural habitat, and limit PRNS maintenance liabilities. In this instance, ownership includes a fee simple title held by the City. In instances where the City owns fee simple title but a third party, such as Valley Water, holds easements rights over City land, those City parcels would not meet the definition of a Charter Park.
The final inventory will track trail segments that meet the criteria and those that do not.
Pocket parks or improved areas adjacent to trail segments that meet the criteria would be considered Charter Parkland on their own.
Community Centers
The land beneath community centers that are located inside a public park is considered Charter Parkland because the underlying land meets the Charter Park criteria. In instances where a community center inside a Charter Park is demolished, the underlying land will still meet the Charter Park criteria
6. However, the City also has
several community centers that are considered stand-alone buildings and are not in a public park, meaning they are not surrounded by parkland with recreational use. These stand-alone buildings have not been considered to be on Charter Parkland in the past since they are not located in a Charter Park or surrounded by parkland. PRNS does not believe these stand-alone buildings meet the definition of being parkland under the City Charter, and have concluded this approach is consistent with what the voters intended, which is to protect parkland. Moving forward, PRNS will continue the historical
6 Accessory buildings, like restrooms, historic, or corporation-yard buildings that support the recreational use of the park are also considered meeting the Charter Park criteria.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
interpretation and application that the land under stand-alone community centers is not Charter Parkland.
Inventory of Charter Parks
Based on the application of Section 1700 above, staff developed an inventory of Charter Parks that will be managed and updated administratively by PRNS long term. This “living document” will include Charter Park statuses of all PRNS assets and will be updated regularly. The full inventory is not complete, however Attachment A is a focused list of the Charter Park status of the 221 public parks, plus community gardens, dog parks, sports facilities, golf courses and community centers. This staff memorandum only focuses on the 500 City properties and assets that are managed and operated by PRNS, many of which are maintenance obligations but not parks. During staff review of these sites, it was determined that 14 of the 221 public parks do not meet the criteria to be a Charter Park. This is primarily because those 14 sites are owned and/or operated by a different City authority or outside public agencies. Table 1 below is a list of the 14 sites.
Table 1 - Public Parks Not Considered Charter Park
NAME REASON NOT A CHARTER PARK
Senter and Serenade Park is operated by Department of Transportation Brenda Lopez Memorial
Plaza
is operated by Department of Transportation
Parque de Los Pobladores is operated by Department of Transportation Nancy Lane Plaza is operated by Department of Transportation Russo Park is operated by Department of Transportation
Our Park is owned by PG&E and City of San José has an easement Richard E. Huerta Park is owned by PG&E
Hester Park is owned by San José Unified School District Castillero Tennis Courts is owned by San José Unified School District and City has a Joint Use Agreement
Metcalf Park is owned by Santa Clara County
Shady Oaks Park is owned by Santa Clara County
Penitencia Creek Park is owned by Santa Clara County
Pfeiffer Park is owned by Valley Water District
Mariposa Park is pending acquisition from CalTrans (August/September)
The full inventory includes trail parcels and other remnant sites that need additional vetting to reconcile ownership and thus additional time is required. The full inventory will also include future park sites and other properties PRNS maintains. The inventory will be organized to include all applicable restrictions that restrict the sale or a change in parkland use in addition to the Charter Parkland protections. These restrictions could
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
include grant restrictions, joint use agreements, easements, or development obligations.
The plan is for the full inventory list to be a living document and be maintained publicly and updated by PRNS staff so that it will be utilized as a resource by PRNS as well as other City departments acting as a reference tool on Charter Park statuses.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Acceptance of staff memorandum will enable staff to proceed with policy on how Section 1700 on Charter Parks is applied.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
On January 25, 2024, the Parks and Recreation Commission accepted the report on the Definition of Chartered Parkland.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-008, General Procedure and Policy Making resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2025
Subject: Report on the City Charter Regarding Parks
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
Jon Cicirelli
Director of Parks, Recreation
and Neighborhood Services
For questions, please contact Raymond Costantino, Deputy Director, at [email protected] or (408)535-3520.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List Attachment B - Annotated History of Section 1700 of the City Charter
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC PARKS
CD Park Name Charter Status Land Owner
1 Calabazas Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Frank M. Santana Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 1 Gleason Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Gullo Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Hathaway Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 John Mise Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Marijane Hamann Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 1 Murdock Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Payne Ave Friendship Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 1 Rainbow Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 San Tomas Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
1 Saratoga Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 1 Starbird Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
2 Basking Ridge Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 2 Charlotte Commons Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 2 Chynoweth Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Coy Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Danna Rock Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Edenvale Garden Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 2 Golden Oak Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Great Oaks Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Meadows Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Melody Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Miner Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Palmia Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Parkview I Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Parkview II Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Parkview III Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 2 Piercy Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Raleigh Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Ramac Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Silver Leaf Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Vista Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
2 Waterford Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Backesto Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Bestor Art Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Bonita Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Cannery Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Forestdale Tot Lot Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Gran Paradiso Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Hacienda Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Heinlenville Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 John P. McEnery Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Luna Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Martin Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC PARKS
CD Park Name Charter Status Land Owner
3 Newbury Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 O'Donnell's Garden Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Orchard Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Parque de Padre Mateo Sheedy Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Pellier Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Plaza de Cesar Chavez Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Raymond Bernal Jr. Memorial Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 Roosevelt Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Ryland Dog Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Ryland Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Selma Olinder Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 3 St. James Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Tamien Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Townsend Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 Watson Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
3 William Street Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 4 Alum Rock Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Alviso Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Baypointe Interim Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 4 Berryessa Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 4 Brooktree Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
4 Bruzzone Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Cataldi Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Commodore Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Flickinger Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
4 Iris Chang Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Mercado Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Moitozo Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Noble Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Noble Site Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Northwood Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Penitencia Creek Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 4 River Oaks Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Riverview Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Vinci Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
4 Vista Montaña (1 acre) Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 4 Vista Montaña (5 acre) Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Capitol Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
5 Children of the Rainbow Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 5 Cimarron Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
5 Delano Manongs Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Emma Prusch Farm Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Esther Medina Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Fleming Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
5 Hillview Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC PARKS
CD Park Name Charter Status Land Owner
5 Madden Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
5 Mayfair Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
5 Mt. Pleasant Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Overfelt Gardens Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
5 Parque de la Amistad Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Plata Arroyo Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 San Antonio Tot Lot Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Sylvia Cassell Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 5 Zolezzi Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Biebrach Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Buena Vista Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Cahill Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Columbus Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Del Monte Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Del Monte Plaza Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Discovery Dog Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 6 Fuller Avenue Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Gregory Tot Lot Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Guadalupe River Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Hummingbird Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Lincoln Glen Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Municipal Rose Garden Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Newhall Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 O'Connor Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Rincon South Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 River Glen Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Rosemary Garden Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Roy Avenue Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 St. Elizabeth Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 The Beautiful Way Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 6 Theodore Lenzen Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 6 Wallenberg Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Wilcox Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
6 Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Bellevue Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Elaine Richardson Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Kelley Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 La Raggione Tot Lot Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Lone Bluff Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 McLaughlin Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Nisich Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Ramblewood Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Roberto Antonio Balermino Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Rocksprings Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Solari Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC PARKS
CD Park Name Charter Status Land Owner
7 Stonegate Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
7 Tully Community Ballfields Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Turtle Rock Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Umbarger Pathway Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Vieira Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
7 Vieira Park Overlook Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 West Evergreen Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 William Lewis Manly Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Windmill Springs Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Aborn Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Arcadia Ballpark Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Barberry Lane Walkway - Reach B - Reach C Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Boggini Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Brigadoon Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
8 Brigadoon Tot Lot Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Canyon Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Dove Hill Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Evergreen Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Falls Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Fernish Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Fowler Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Groesbeck Hill Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Lake Cunningham Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Meadowfair Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
8 Montgomery Hill Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Norwood Creek Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Scenic Meadows Park I, II and III Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Silver Creek Linear Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 8 Silver Creek Linear Park II (Picnic Meadow) Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 8 Welch Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Branham Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Butcher Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Camden Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Canoas Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Carolyn Norris Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 9 De Anza Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Doerr Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Erikson Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Houge Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Kirk Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Lone Hill Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Paul Moore Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Rubino Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Scottsdale Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
9 Terrell Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC PARKS
CD Park Name Charter Status Land Owner
9 Thousand Oaks Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 9 William H. Cilker Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Albertson Parkway Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 10 Almaden Lake Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 10 Almaden Meadows Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Almaden Winery Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Avenida Espana Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Cahalan Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Calero Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Carrabelle Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership
10 Cathedral Oaks Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Century Oaks Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Chris Hotts Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Comanche Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Foothill Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 George Page Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Glenview Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Greystone Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Guadalupe Oak Grove Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Jeffery Fontana Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 10 La Colina Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Los Paseos Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Miyuki Dog Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Parma Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose
10 Playa Del Rey Park Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 Sycamore Terrace Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 10 T. J. Martin Park Chartered Parkland Mixed Ownership 2 Metcalf Park NOT Chartered Santa Clara County
2 Senter and Serenade Site NOT Chartered City of San Jose 2 Shady Oaks Park NOT Chartered Santa Clara County
3 Brenda Lopez Memorial Plaza NOT Chartered City of San Jose 3 Parque de los Pobladores (Gore Plaza) NOT Chartered City of San Jose 4 Penitencia Creek Park (County) NOT Chartered Santa Clara County 5 Lo Bue Park NOT Chartered Mixed Ownership
5 Nancy Lane Plaza NOT Chartered City of San Jose
5 Our Park NOT Chartered PG&E
6 Hester Park NOT Chartered Private
7 Mariposa Park NOT Chartered Caltrans
9 Richard E Huerta Park NOT Chartered PG&E
9 Russo Park NOT Chartered City of San Jose
10 Castillero Tennis Courts NOT Chartered Private
10 Pfeiffer Park NOT Chartered Valley Water
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
COMMUNITY CENTERS
CD Name Charter Status Owner
1 Calabazas Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 1 Cypress Community & Senior Center NOT Chartered City of San Jose 1 Hamann Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 1 Rainbow Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 1 San Tomas Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 1 Starbird Youth Center Chartered City of San Jose
2 Edenvale Community Center NOT Chartered School District 2 Southside Community & Senior Center NOT Chartered City of San Jose 2 Vista Park Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 3 Backesto Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 3 Jacinto Siquig Northside Community Center NOT Chartered Private 3 Olinder Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 3 Roosevelt Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 3 Spartan Keyes Neighborhood Center NOT Chartered Private 3 Washington United Youth Center Chartered City of San Jose 4 Alviso Youth Center NOT Chartered School District
4 Berryessa Community Center NOT Chartered County of Santa Clara 4 Berryessa Youth Center NOT Chartered School District
4 Noble House Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 4 Noble Modular Neighborhood Center NOT Chartered School District 5 Alum Rock Youth Center NOT Chartered School District
5 Capitol Park Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 5 Hank Lopez Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 5 Mayfair Community Center Chartered City of San Jose
5 Old Hillview Library Chartered City of San Jose
6 Bascom Library & Community Center NOT Chartered City of San Jose 6 Bramhall Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 6 Gardner Community Center Chartered City of San Jose
6 Willow Glen Community & Senior Center Chartered City of San Jose 7 Alma Youth & Senior Center Chartered City of San Jose 7 Seven Trees Community Center & Library Chartered City of San Jose 7 Shirakawa Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 8 Evergreen Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 8 Meadowfair Community Center NOT Chartered City of San Jose 8 Millbrook Community Center NOT Chartered School District 8 Welch Park Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 9 Camden Community Center Chartered City of San Jose
9 Houge Park Neighborhood Center Chartered City of San Jose 9 Kirk Community Center Chartered City of San Jose
10 Almaden Library & Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 10 Almaden Winery Community Center Chartered City of San Jose 10 Almaden Youth Center NOT Chartered School District
10 Los Paseos Youth Center NOT Chartered School District Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
COMMUNITY GARDENS
CD Name Charter Status Owner
1 Calabazas Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 1 Rainbow Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose
1 Pueblo De Dios Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 2 Discovery Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 2 Rusty Areias Community Garden NOT Chartered County of Santa Clara 3 Bestor Art Park Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 4 Alviso Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose
4 Berryessa Community Garden NOT Chartered School District 5 Cornucopia Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 5 Esther Medina Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 5 El Jardin Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 5 Mayfair Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose
6 Guadalupe Gardens - Community Garden NOT Chartered City of San Jose 6 Hamline Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose
6 Jesse Frey Community Garden NOT Chartered Mixed Ownership 6 Wallenberg Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 7 Coyote Creek Community Garden Chartered Mixed Ownership 7 Nuestra Tierra Community Garden Chartered Mixed Ownership 7 Vietnamese Heritage Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 10 La Colina Community Garden Chartered City of San Jose 10 Laguna Seca Community Garden NOT Chartered Valley Water CD Name Charter Status Owner
1 Saratoga Creek Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
2 Raleigh Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
3 Cannery Park Chartered City of San Jose
3 Ryland Dog Park NOT Chartered City of San Jose
3 Selma Olinder Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
3 Watson Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
3 St. James Park Chartered City of San Jose
4 Bruzzone Park Chartered City of San Jose
4 Penitencia Creek Park - Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose 5 Esther Medina Park Chartered City of San Jose
6 Guadalupe Gardens NOT Chartered City of San Jose
6 Del Monte Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
6 Discovery Dog Park NOT Chartered Mixed Ownership
7 Tully Community Ballfields Chartered City of San Jose 8 Welch Park Chartered City of San Jose
9 Butcher Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
10 Jeffery Fontana Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
10 Miyuki Dog Park Chartered City of San Jose
DOG PARKS
Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
SPORTS FACILITY
CD Name Charter Status Owner
5 P.A.L. Stadium Park Chartered City of San Jose
7 Fair Swim Center Chartered City of San Jose
7 Tully Community Ballfields Chartered City of San Jose 8 Boys & Girls Club Soccer Field (Smythe Clubhouse) Chartered City of San Jose 8 Arcadia Ballpark Chartered City of San Jose
CITY OWNED GOLF COURSES
CD Name Charter Status Owner
3 San Jose Municipal Golf Course Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 5 Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course Chartered Parkland City of San Jose 7 Los Lagos Golf Course Chartered Parkland City of San Jose Subject: Application of City Charter Regarding Parks
Attachment A - Charter Park Status for Traditional Parks List April 14, 2025
Attachment B - Annotated History of Section 1700 of the City Charter
The current City Charter was adopted by the voters at an election in April of 1965, replacing the prior City Charter, which was adopted by the voters in 1915 and became effective in 1916.
The full text of Section 1700 adopted in 1965 reads as follows:
“Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Charter, the public parks of the City shall be inalienable unless otherwise authorized by the affirmative votes of the majority of the electors voting on such a proposition in each case; provided and excepting, however, that the same or any interest therein, or any concessions or privileges therein or in any building or structure situate therein, may be leased by the Council, or the Council may grant permits or licenses for the same, without any vote of any electors, if the term of each such lease or permit does not exceed three (3) years. As used herein “public parks” means any and all lands of the City which have been or are dedicated, improved and opened to the public for public park purposes.”
1916 Charter
The requirement that the parks be “inalienable” has appeared in the City’s Charter since the 1916 Charter. Under the general powers provision of the 1916 Charter, Section 2(a) provided that:
…the rights of the city in its streets, parks, waterfront and wharf property shall be inalienable, except as otherwise provided in this charter. All leases shall be made at public auction to the highest responsible bidder at the highest monthly rent after publication of notice thereof for at least one week in some daily newspaper of general circulation, published in the City of San Jose, which notice shall state explicitly the time and conditions of the lease, provided that the council may in its discretion reject any and all bids.
Article XIV of the 1916 Charter, specific to the PRNS Department, provided in Section 96 that:
The parks and reservations of the city shall be inalienable unless otherwise authorized by majority vote of the people…
Section 96 authorized leases or concessions in the parks according to the lease provisions set forth in Section 2 of the Charter, as outlined above, without a vote of the people, for a term not longer than three years. This Section also authorized a lease of a portions of Alum Rock for hotel purposes under certain conditions including approval by vote of the people.
1 1 The full text of Section 96 set forth in the 1916 Charter, as amended and in effect as of January 31, 1963, states: The parks and reservations of the city shall be inalienable unless otherwise authorized by majority vote of the people; provided, however, that the same or any interest therein, or any concessions or Attachment B – Annotated History of Section 1700 of the City Charter
1896 Charter
The 1896 Charter, the Charter in effect prior to the 1916 Charter, did not use the term “inalienable” with respect to park property. However, the 1896 Charter specified that the parks could not be “hypothecated or mortgaged.” Additionally, the parks could not be leased or sold, except a portion of Alum Rock Park could be leased for hotel purposes as specified in the Charter without a vote of the people.
Development of the 1965 Charter’s Park provisions
There is little legislative history of the 1965 Charter’s Park Provisions that exist today.
The definition of “public parks” in Section 1700 of the City Charter was approved by the voters in 1965 without any additional guidance on how to interpret and apply the definition of “public parks” (“dedicated, improved, and opened to the public for public park purposes”). However, what seems to be clear dating back to 1896 is that the voters of San José have intended to protect City Parks and want to make sure that City Parks are “inalienable” – meaning cannot change to a different use without voter approval. The language in the City Charter from 1916 and then in 1965 used the word “inalienable.”
privileges therein or in the building erected by the city thereon may be leased by the city council as provided in Section 2 of this charter for a period of not more than three years without submitting the matter to the people.
A lease as provided in Section 2 of this charter may be made of such portion of Alum Rock reservation as will not interfere with the free employment of the said reservation by the public, for a period of not more than twenty years, provided that within one year that the lessee erects thereon a hotel building to cost not less than fifty thousand dollars, the plans for and location of which have been approved by the city Planning Commission, and by the people at a general or special municipal election.