Friends of Santa Teresa Park News Archive 2018-2019

Santa Teresa Park Official Park Page Park Map News Special Reports Greetings Calendar Meetings Volunteer Hours Links Contacts	Friends of Santa Teresa Park News Archive 2018-2019 The following are archived news events from our homepage, from 2018-2019. In 2018, Julie Lee, manager of the County Parks' Volunteer Program sent out a letter announcing the new County-wide Samaritan volunteer management system. She also sent out a "how to" guide with a FAQs section. Volunteers will be using the system to enter their hours and can search for volunteer opportunities. There will be training sessions announced. Here is the link to Samaritan. Contact the County Parks Volunteers Office for access information and instructions. Samaritan website We led the following 3 hikes in the spring of 2018: Sunday 3/25/18: “Hike the Magnificent Seven! Santa Teresa” 10am to 1pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park for a moderate 2.5-mile #PixInParks hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine, and Fortini Trails. View spectacular wildflower displays, take in the gorgeous views, and hear talks about the rich history of the area. There will be nature and history exhibits and activities at the trailhead. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the Stile Ranch Trailhead on San Vicente Avenue, at the end of Fortini Road, off McKean Road. Saturday 3/31/18: Outdoor Photography and Wildflower Walk: 10 am - 1 pm. Join a docent for an outdoor photography class and slide show in the barn at the historic Bernal Ranch followed by a moderate, but easy-paced hike up the Joice Trail to take pictures of the colorful spring wildflower displays. Meet at the Barn with your camera or smartphone. Saturday 4/21/18: Coyote Peak Vistas Hike: 2 pm - 4 pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park on a moderate 2-mile hike to Coyote Peak starting from the Pueblo Day Use Area. Look at the wildflowers and trees along the way. At the top, take in panoramic views of the Bay Area and Coyote Valley. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Here is a flyer for this hike. This is Mike Boulland on the Stile Ranch Trail during our PixInParks Hike on 3/25/18, talking about the history of the area. Here are pictures from that event. This is the wildflower walk up the Joice Trail to Bernal Hill. It was after Ron Horii's photography class slideshow in the barn at the Bernal Ranch. Here are more pictures of the hike. Here is our group on our Coyote Peak Vistas hike on 4/21/18. Here are pictures from the hike. The County Parks has a new interactive webpage showing the best trails for viewing wildflowers in the parks. Two of the featured trails are in Santa Teresa Park: the Rocky Ridge Trail and the Stile Ranch Trail. Others are nearby in Almaden Quicksilver and Calero (Rancho San Vicente). You can also download a printed wildflower guide. Here 3 FOSTP (Friends of Santa Teresa Park) and NAQCPA (New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association) members are receiving lifetime volunteer service awards (left to right): 13,500 hours for FOSTP Vice President and NAQCPA President Kitty Monahan, 28,500 hours for Grant Park docent Ron Bricmont, 11,000 hours for FOSTP Secretary and NAQCPA Webmaster Ron Horii, and 8,000 hours for FOSTP President and NAQCPA Board Member Mike Boulland. Volunteer Program Manager Julie Lee is on the right. Here are pictures from the Volunteer Recognition Event at Hellyer County Park. There was a 70-acre fire in Santa Teresa Park on July 10, 2018, starting at 3:08 pm. Called the Curie Fire, because it started above the corner of Curie Drive and San Ignacio Avenue, it burned mostly grass and brush on hillsides above the Norred Trail and below the Bernal Hill Trail. The trails acted like firebreaks. The fire did not reach Bernal Road or the Joice Trail. Helicopters and air tankers fought the fire, along with ground crews. No structures were damaged, but the Muriel Wright Center and IBM's Almaden Research Center were evacuated as a precaution. The trails were closed the next day, but reopened on July 12. The trails were undamaged, but the stretch of the Norred Trail below the Mine Trail was considerably widened, and the fence removed. Here are pictures of the firefight. Here are pictures of the aftermath on the Joice, Bernal Hill, Mine Trails and on the Norred Trail and above the Bernal Ranch. This was the second fire in Santa Teresa Park in 2018. On 5/27/18, there was a 16-acre fire above the archery range. Again, only grass and brush burned. The archery range was unaffected. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park held our second annual National Night Out at the Bernal Ranch, in partnership with the County Parks on 8/7/18. County Parks staff helped with the event. We had crafts for kids, free raffle prizes, ice cream and popsicles, games, newsletters, and other information. We had FOSTP logo items: T-shirts, patches, and glasses. The County Parks had an information table, Santa Teresa's senior ranger and his truck, tours of the ranch house, and cattle roping/branding. The County Sheriffs sent a deputy who passed out sheriff's hats and security items and information. Councilmember Sergio Jimenez's office brought cloth shopping bags to pass out. The San Jose Police visited. The San Jose Fire Department brought 2 fire trucks. Here are pictures of the event. There's a new 6-minute video, narrated by Doug McConnell, highlighting Santa Clara County Park's legacy of providing outstanding recreational opportunities in beautiful natural locations. Features include nature, historical sites, outdoor recreation, and the people behind parks. It features many of the County Parks, including Santa Teresa, Hellyer, Calero, Martial Cottle, and Almaden Quicksilver. Viva CalleSJ is a free program that temporarily closes miles of San Jose streets to bring communities together to walk, bike, skate, play, and explore the city like never before. Each year's event opens upwards of six miles of streets, through some of San Jose's most iconic neighborhoods for people to come out and play for the day! This year's event was on 9/23/18. Here is the route map. It started/ended at Martial Cottle Park, went east down Branham Lane to Monterey Road, then north on Monterey all the way to E. William Street. There were major activity hubs at Martial Cottle, the County Fairgrounds, and at the SoFA (South of First Arts) district. District 2 Councilmember Sergio Jimenez had a D2 Elbow activity hub at the corner of Branham and Monterey. It had a climbing wall, bounce poles, food trucks, the SJPL MakerSpaceShip, a DJ, bike repairs, and information booths. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had a booth there, with information, activities, and games. Here are pictures of the D2 Elbow and the FOSTP booth at Viva Calle SJ. Here are pictures of the activity hub at Martial Cottle Park. On Sunday, September 30, 2018, from 10 am-1pm, Ron Horii gave an outdoor photography class at Santa Teresa County Park's Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Here is a flyer for the class. He gave a slideshow presentation in the barn, then led a hike to Santa Teresa Spring, with help from docent Joan Murphy and park staff member Ashley Navas. On 10/27/2018 from 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM), the first La Fuente event was held at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Here is the description: "Bernal Ranch is 'La Fuente' or 'The Origin' for family histories, local economy, and a growing new community. Join us to celebrate the different histories of 'Santa Teresa Spring,' the original source of thriving communities from the past to present day. Come celebrate la fuente of the unique community histories from the past, present, and future at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. The afternoon event will feature cultural presentations, local community organizations, family activities, and children's games." The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had an information table there (see below) and helped out with the event. Here are pictures of La Fuente. As part of La Fuente 2018, an ofrenda was setup in Barn 1. This is a traditional part of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. It honors loved ones who have passed away. Visitors were invited to leave pictures of their loved ones and write notes and remembrances about them. At La Fuente, there was a remembrance ceremony at the ofrenda, led by Elena Robles (left) and Phyllis Carrasco (right): On 1/18/19, Park Interpreter Kelsi Ju held a Lunar New Year event at the Bernal Ranch. It included an outdoor demonstration of the phases of the moon (below), a Chinese lantern-making activity, and a night hike to Santa Teresa Spring. Ron Horii has an exhibit at the Campbell Library in downtown Campbell from 2/1 to 2/28/19. It's based on his 2011 exhibition at the Santa Teresa Library. He has posters with pictures of Santa Teresa County Park, Almaden Quicksilver County Park, other County Parks, open space preserves, San Francisco Bay parks, and San Jose parks. Here is an album showing the exhibition. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park were invited by Councilmember Johnny Khamis' office to have a table at the Oakridge Mall Senior Winter Walk & Resource Fair 2/22/19. Mike Boulland and Steve Crockett setup the table and talked to visitors about Santa Teresa Park and the Chinese pavilion ("ting") project at Almaden Quicksilver. Here are pictures of FOSTP at the event. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Parks,organized a work day to clean up the Pyzak Ranch House, also known as the Curie House, located 275 Curie Drive. Volunteers helped with cleaning up brush and debris around the historic Curie house. The focus was on painting over graffiti, repairing fencing, and securing buildings on the site. It was held on March 2 & 3, 2019 from 9am to 12pm. Here is the flyer for the event. Here are pictures of the event: Santa Teresa Park Beautification, Day 1, 3/2/19; Santa Teresa Park Beautification, Day 2, 3/3/19. At the April 4, 2019 meeting of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park, we had the first in our "Taste of Santa Teresa History" 2019 Speaker Series. Visitors join FOSTP members for cookies and hot drinks and listen to a series of speakers speak about our famous pioneers who settled in our area. Our first speaker was County Parks Ranger Lisa Pappanastos. She gave a presentation on the history and restoration of the Grant Ranch. She talked about its connection with the Bernal Family of Rancho Santa Teresa. Ron Horii taught another outdoor photography class and wildlflower hike in Santa Teresa Park, meeting at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on Saturday April 27, 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm. " Join Docent Ron Horii for a free outdoor photography workshop for all experience levels and learn about the types of cameras and how to choose and use them, how to take outdoor pictures, photo composition, lighting. Afterwards, go for a hike up into the wildflower-covered hills and take pictures." Reservations online or call 408-355-2201." Here is the flyer for the class. Here are pictures of the hike. Mike Boulland and Joan Murphy assisted with the hike. This hike was led by members of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park on Saturday May 11, 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm, meeting at the Stile Ranch/Fortini Tralhead on San Vicente Avenue in the Almaden Valley: Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park for a moderate 2.5-mile hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine and Fortini Trails. View spectacular wildflower displays, take in the gorgeous views, and learn about the rich history of the area. Meet at the Stile Ranch Trailhead with sturdy shoes, snacks and water." Here are pictures of the hike. Here are pictures of the first part of the hike, taken by Roxanne Koopman. On Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019 from 5:00-7:30 pm, we hosted our third National Night Out at the Bernal Ranch. It was be similar to last year's event (see above on 8/7/18). Here's the flyer for the event. We had our information table with a new banner and table runner and handed out free popsicles and ice cream. We had games and crafts for kids. The County Parks had information tables and animal displays. Park interpreters and rangers were there. The ranch house and barns were open for touring. Between the barns, there was cattle roping and branding. The County Sheriff deputies assigned to the County Parks were there and brought a patrol truck. Kids got to sit in it. Ron Horii had displays of his park photography. Councilmember Sergio Jimenez stopped by (see picture) and talked to visitors. He left pens and sunglasses for giveaways. We had a raffle at end of the event. Here are pictures of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park's National Night Out, 8/6/19. Our 2019 summer newsletter is available. Here are the contents: Welcome to National Night Out: Pg. 1 National Night Out: Pg.. 2 National Night Out Partnerships: Pg. 2 Santa Teresa Park News in Pictures: Pg. 3 Park Beautification Days, 3/2-3/19: Pg. 4 The Story of Our Meeting Place: Pg. 5 Muriel Wright Center Update: Pg. 5 FOSTP at Viva Calle SJ: Pg. 6 FOSTP at Oakridge Mall Senior Fair: Pg. 6 La Fuente 2018: Pg. 7 Santa Teresa, Hellyer, and Martial Cottle County Parks Staff: Pg. 8 County Parks Management Changes: Pg. 8 The second annual La Fuente event was held at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on October 19, 2019, from 12:00-4:00 pm. It was similar to last year's event. Here are pictures of La Fuente 2019. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had an information table there. On October 14, 2019, members of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park got a tour of the ranch house at Joseph D. Grant County Park. It was led by Ranger Lisa Pappanastos. She was a ranger at Grant for many years and worked on the restoration and furnishing of the ranch house. She also did research on the history of the Grant family and their relatives. On November 5, 2019, there was an historic vote by the San Jose City Council. They unanimously voted to partner with the Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to save 931 acres in the North Coyote Valley. The protected area includes Laguna Seca, Santa Clara County's largest freshwater wetland, which adjoins Santa Teresa County Park. Prior to the vote, there was a press conference in front of San Jose City Hall. Several officials spoke praising the plan, including District 2 City Councilmember Sergio Jimenez (see below). The Coyote Valley is in his district. See here for pictures of the press conference and links to more information (Facebook signin required). . On November 7, 2019, at our usual meeting time and location (7 pm in the Santa Teresa Golf Club Upper Banquet Room), FOSTP Vice President and New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan gave a talk on "New Almaden and Its Quicksilver Mines": This was the description of the talk: "FOSTP is honored to present Kitty Monahan, President of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association. She is known for giving entertaining presentations about New Almaden Quicksilver County Park's natural, cultural, and mining history. Don't miss this colorful slideshow event with her expert experience and humorous storytelling. The New Almaden mine was once the wealthiest mine in North America and one of the reasons for the success of the 1849 California Gold Rush. Learn about what mining life was like for the 1848-1972 miners and settlers, who worked, lived, and died at this fabulous historical wild west mining town!" Here's the flyer for this event. Ron Horii held another Outdoor Photography Class at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This was the description: "Join Docent Ron Horii for a free outdoor photography workshop for all experience levels. You will learn about the types of cameras and how to choose and use them, how to take outdoor pictures, photo composition, lighting, photo editing, advanced techniques, and Internet publishing! Meet at the ranch house for a demonstration and slideshow. Afterwards will be a short photo shoot tour of the historic ranch. Bring your own camera - any kind will do, including phones! For ages 14+." Here is the flyer for the event. Here are pictures of the class. Created 9/16/21, by Ronald Horii, secretary of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park

The following are archived news events from our homepage, from 2018-2019.

In 2018, Julie Lee, manager of the County Parks' Volunteer Program sent out a letter announcing the new County-wide Samaritan volunteer management system. She also sent out a "how to" guide with a FAQs section. Volunteers will be using the system to enter their hours and can search for volunteer opportunities. There will be training sessions announced. Here is the link to Samaritan. Contact the County Parks Volunteers Office for access information and instructions.

Samaritan website
We led the following 3 hikes in the spring of 2018:

Sunday 3/25/18: “Hike the Magnificent Seven! Santa Teresa” 10am to 1pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park for a moderate 2.5-mile #PixInParks hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine, and Fortini Trails. View spectacular wildflower displays, take in the gorgeous views, and hear talks about the rich history of the area. There will be nature and history exhibits and activities at the trailhead. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the Stile Ranch Trailhead on San Vicente Avenue, at the end of Fortini Road, off McKean Road.
Saturday 3/31/18: Outdoor Photography and Wildflower Walk: 10 am - 1 pm. Join a docent for an outdoor photography class and slide show in the barn at the historic Bernal Ranch followed by a moderate, but easy-paced hike up the Joice Trail to take pictures of the colorful spring wildflower displays. Meet at the Barn with your camera or smartphone.
Saturday 4/21/18: Coyote Peak Vistas Hike: 2 pm - 4 pm. Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park on a moderate 2-mile hike to Coyote Peak starting from the Pueblo Day Use Area. Look at the wildflowers and trees along the way. At the top, take in panoramic views of the Bay Area and Coyote Valley. Please bring snack, sunscreen, water and wear comfortable shoes. Here is a flyer for this hike.

This is Mike Boulland on the Stile Ranch Trail during our PixInParks Hike on 3/25/18, talking about the history of the area. Here are pictures from that event.

Wildflower walk, Joice Trail, 3/31/18

This is the wildflower walk up the Joice Trail to Bernal Hill. It was after Ron Horii's photography class slideshow in the barn at the Bernal Ranch. Here are more pictures of the hike.

Coyote Peak Hike, 4/21/18

Here is our group on our Coyote Peak Vistas hike on 4/21/18. Here are pictures from the hike.

The County Parks has a new interactive webpage showing the best trails for viewing wildflowers in the parks. Two of the featured trails are in Santa Teresa Park: the Rocky Ridge Trail and the Stile Ranch Trail. Others are nearby in Almaden Quicksilver and Calero (Rancho San Vicente). You can also download a printed wildflower guide.

Here 3 FOSTP (Friends of Santa Teresa Park) and NAQCPA (New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association) members are receiving lifetime volunteer service awards (left to right): 13,500 hours for FOSTP Vice President and NAQCPA President Kitty Monahan, 28,500 hours for Grant Park docent Ron Bricmont, 11,000 hours for FOSTP Secretary and NAQCPA Webmaster Ron Horii, and 8,000 hours for FOSTP President and NAQCPA Board Member Mike Boulland. Volunteer Program Manager Julie Lee is on the right. Here are pictures from the Volunteer Recognition Event at Hellyer County Park.

There was a 70-acre fire in Santa Teresa Park on July 10, 2018, starting at 3:08 pm. Called the Curie Fire, because it started above the corner of Curie Drive and San Ignacio Avenue, it burned mostly grass and brush on hillsides above the Norred Trail and below the Bernal Hill Trail. The trails acted like firebreaks. The fire did not reach Bernal Road or the Joice Trail. Helicopters and air tankers fought the fire, along with ground crews. No structures were damaged, but the Muriel Wright Center and IBM's Almaden Research Center were evacuated as a precaution. The trails were closed the next day, but reopened on July 12. The trails were undamaged, but the stretch of the Norred Trail below the Mine Trail was considerably widened, and the fence removed. Here are pictures of the firefight. Here are pictures of the aftermath on the Joice, Bernal Hill, Mine Trails and on the Norred Trail and above the Bernal Ranch. This was the second fire in Santa Teresa Park in 2018. On 5/27/18, there was a 16-acre fire above the archery range. Again, only grass and brush burned. The archery range was unaffected.

The Friends of Santa Teresa Park held our second annual National Night Out at the Bernal Ranch, in partnership with the County Parks on 8/7/18. County Parks staff helped with the event. We had crafts for kids, free raffle prizes, ice cream and popsicles, games, newsletters, and other information. We had FOSTP logo items: T-shirts, patches, and glasses. The County Parks had an information table, Santa Teresa's senior ranger and his truck, tours of the ranch house, and cattle roping/branding. The County Sheriffs sent a deputy who passed out sheriff's hats and security items and information. Councilmember Sergio Jimenez's office brought cloth shopping bags to pass out. The San Jose Police visited. The San Jose Fire Department brought 2 fire trucks. Here are pictures of the event.
There's a new 6-minute video, narrated by Doug McConnell, highlighting Santa Clara County Park's legacy of providing outstanding recreational opportunities in beautiful natural locations. Features include nature, historical sites, outdoor recreation, and the people behind parks. It features many of the County Parks, including Santa Teresa, Hellyer, Calero, Martial Cottle, and Almaden Quicksilver.
Viva CalleSJ is a free program that temporarily closes miles of San Jose streets to bring communities together to walk, bike, skate, play, and explore the city like never before. Each year's event opens upwards of six miles of streets, through some of San Jose's most iconic neighborhoods for people to come out and play for the day! This year's event was on 9/23/18. Here is the route map. It started/ended at Martial Cottle Park, went east down Branham Lane to Monterey Road, then north on Monterey all the way to E. William Street. There were major activity hubs at Martial Cottle, the County Fairgrounds, and at the SoFA (South of First Arts) district. District 2 Councilmember Sergio Jimenez had a D2 Elbow activity hub at the corner of Branham and Monterey. It had a climbing wall, bounce poles, food trucks, the SJPL MakerSpaceShip, a DJ, bike repairs, and information booths. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had a booth there, with information, activities, and games. Here are pictures of the D2 Elbow and the FOSTP booth at Viva Calle SJ. Here are pictures of the activity hub at Martial Cottle Park.
On Sunday, September 30, 2018, from 10 am-1pm, Ron Horii gave an outdoor photography class at Santa Teresa County Park's Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Here is a flyer for the class. He gave a slideshow presentation in the barn, then led a hike to Santa Teresa Spring, with help from docent Joan Murphy and park staff member Ashley Navas.
On 10/27/2018 from 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM), the first La Fuente event was held at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Here is the description: "Bernal Ranch is 'La Fuente' or 'The Origin' for family histories, local economy, and a growing new community. Join us to celebrate the different histories of 'Santa Teresa Spring,' the original source of thriving communities from the past to present day. Come celebrate la fuente of the unique community histories from the past, present, and future at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. The afternoon event will feature cultural presentations, local community organizations, family activities, and children's games." The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had an information table there (see below) and helped out with the event. Here are pictures of La Fuente.
As part of La Fuente 2018, an ofrenda was setup in Barn 1. This is a traditional part of the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. It honors loved ones who have passed away. Visitors were invited to leave pictures of their loved ones and write notes and remembrances about them. At La Fuente, there was a remembrance ceremony at the ofrenda, led by Elena Robles (left) and Phyllis Carrasco (right):
On 1/18/19, Park Interpreter Kelsi Ju held a Lunar New Year event at the Bernal Ranch. It included an outdoor demonstration of the phases of the moon (below), a Chinese lantern-making activity, and a night hike to Santa Teresa Spring.
Ron Horii has an exhibit at the Campbell Library in downtown Campbell from 2/1 to 2/28/19. It's based on his 2011 exhibition at the Santa Teresa Library. He has posters with pictures of Santa Teresa County Park, Almaden Quicksilver County Park, other County Parks, open space preserves, San Francisco Bay parks, and San Jose parks. Here is an album showing the exhibition.
The Friends of Santa Teresa Park were invited by Councilmember Johnny Khamis' office to have a table at the Oakridge Mall Senior Winter Walk & Resource Fair 2/22/19. Mike Boulland and Steve Crockett setup the table and talked to visitors about Santa Teresa Park and the Chinese pavilion ("ting") project at Almaden Quicksilver. Here are pictures of FOSTP at the event.
The Friends of Santa Teresa Park, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Parks,organized a work day to clean up the Pyzak Ranch House, also known as the Curie House, located 275 Curie Drive. Volunteers helped with cleaning up brush and debris around the historic Curie house. The focus was on painting over graffiti, repairing fencing, and securing buildings on the site. It was held on March 2 & 3, 2019 from 9am to 12pm. Here is the flyer for the event. Here are pictures of the event: Santa Teresa Park Beautification, Day 1, 3/2/19; Santa Teresa Park Beautification, Day 2, 3/3/19.
At the April 4, 2019 meeting of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park, we had the first in our "Taste of Santa Teresa History" 2019 Speaker Series. Visitors join FOSTP members for cookies and hot drinks and listen to a series of speakers speak about our famous pioneers who settled in our area. Our first speaker was County Parks Ranger Lisa Pappanastos. She gave a presentation on the history and restoration of the Grant Ranch. She talked about its connection with the Bernal Family of Rancho Santa Teresa.
Ron Horii taught another outdoor photography class and wildlflower hike in Santa Teresa Park, meeting at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on Saturday April 27, 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm. " Join Docent Ron Horii for a free outdoor photography workshop for all experience levels and learn about the types of cameras and how to choose and use them, how to take outdoor pictures, photo composition, lighting. Afterwards, go for a hike up into the wildflower-covered hills and take pictures." Reservations online or call 408-355-2201." Here is the flyer for the class. Here are pictures of the hike. Mike Boulland and Joan Murphy assisted with the hike.
This hike was led by members of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park on Saturday May 11, 2019 from 10 am to 1 pm, meeting at the Stile Ranch/Fortini Tralhead on San Vicente Avenue in the Almaden Valley: Join the Friends of Santa Teresa Park for a moderate 2.5-mile hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine and Fortini Trails. View spectacular wildflower displays, take in the gorgeous views, and learn about the rich history of the area. Meet at the Stile Ranch Trailhead with sturdy shoes, snacks and water." Here are pictures of the hike. Here are pictures of the first part of the hike, taken by Roxanne Koopman.
On Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019 from 5:00-7:30 pm, we hosted our third National Night Out at the Bernal Ranch. It was be similar to last year's event (see above on 8/7/18). Here's the flyer for the event. We had our information table with a new banner and table runner and handed out free popsicles and ice cream. We had games and crafts for kids. The County Parks had information tables and animal displays. Park interpreters and rangers were there. The ranch house and barns were open for touring. Between the barns, there was cattle roping and branding. The County Sheriff deputies assigned to the County Parks were there and brought a patrol truck. Kids got to sit in it. Ron Horii had displays of his park photography. Councilmember Sergio Jimenez stopped by (see picture) and talked to visitors. He left pens and sunglasses for giveaways. We had a raffle at end of the event. Here are pictures of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park's National Night Out, 8/6/19.
Our 2019 summer newsletter is available. Here are the contents:
Welcome to National Night Out: Pg. 1
National Night Out: Pg.. 2
National Night Out Partnerships: Pg. 2
Santa Teresa Park News in Pictures: Pg. 3
Park Beautification Days, 3/2-3/19: Pg. 4
The Story of Our Meeting Place: Pg. 5
Muriel Wright Center Update: Pg. 5
FOSTP at Viva Calle SJ: Pg. 6
FOSTP at Oakridge Mall Senior Fair: Pg. 6
La Fuente 2018: Pg. 7
Santa Teresa, Hellyer, and Martial Cottle County Parks Staff: Pg. 8
County Parks Management Changes: Pg. 8
The second annual La Fuente event was held at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on October 19, 2019, from 12:00-4:00 pm. It was similar to last year's event. Here are pictures of La Fuente 2019. The Friends of Santa Teresa Park had an information table there.
On October 14, 2019, members of the Friends of Santa Teresa Park got a tour of the ranch house at Joseph D. Grant County Park. It was led by Ranger Lisa Pappanastos. She was a ranger at Grant for many years and worked on the restoration and furnishing of the ranch house. She also did research on the history of the Grant family and their relatives.
On November 5, 2019, there was an historic vote by the San Jose City Council. They unanimously voted to partner with the Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to save 931 acres in the North Coyote Valley. The protected area includes Laguna Seca, Santa Clara County's largest freshwater wetland, which adjoins Santa Teresa County Park. Prior to the vote, there was a press conference in front of San Jose City Hall. Several officials spoke praising the plan, including District 2 City Councilmember Sergio Jimenez (see below). The Coyote Valley is in his district. See here for pictures of the press conference and links to more information (Facebook signin required).

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On November 7, 2019, at our usual meeting time and location (7 pm in the Santa Teresa Golf Club Upper Banquet Room), FOSTP Vice President and New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan gave a talk on "New Almaden and Its Quicksilver Mines": This was the description of the talk: "FOSTP is honored to present Kitty Monahan, President of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association. She is known for giving entertaining presentations about New Almaden Quicksilver County Park's natural, cultural, and mining history. Don't miss this colorful slideshow event with her expert experience and humorous storytelling. The New Almaden mine was once the wealthiest mine in North America and one of the reasons for the success of the 1849 California Gold Rush. Learn about what mining life was like for the 1848-1972 miners and settlers, who worked, lived, and died at this fabulous historical wild west mining town!" Here's the flyer for this event.
Ron Horii held another Outdoor Photography Class at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This was the description: "Join Docent Ron Horii for a free outdoor photography workshop for all experience levels. You will learn about the types of cameras and how to choose and use them, how to take outdoor pictures, photo composition, lighting, photo editing, advanced techniques, and Internet publishing! Meet at the ranch house for a demonstration and slideshow. Afterwards will be a short photo shoot tour of the historic ranch. Bring your own camera - any kind will do, including phones! For ages 14+." Here is the flyer for the event. Here are pictures of the class.