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NEWSLETTER: July 2017

In this issue:

• Guadalupe Gardens Development
• Summer Interns
• Summer Day Camp
• Window on the River Park
• Volunteer Corner
• Review Us
• Legacy Giving

Guadalupe Gardens Development

After more than a year of study, soccer fields won't be built in Guadalupe Gardens. A Caltrans aviation division prohibition on group recreation and children's activities in the approach zone derailed the proposal. During the study, airport staff put forward a plan to remove land along Coleman Avenue for commercial development - a proposal that we emphatically oppose. The current master plan calls for a "green gateway" along Coleman. We would rather hold out for a bold vision, such as the one shown that was developed in 2009 by Ken Kay.

Click to learn more about master planning.

Summer Interns

We're pleased to welcome seven students from the Santa Clara County Intern & Earn program. Pictured above with education staff Luana and Mel (right) are Junior Guadalupe Guides Allina, Destiny, Gena, and Josh, who will support our summer day camp. We appreciate their enthusiam and positive attitudes!

They have also been a wonderful help in socializing and caring for the litter of kittens we've been hosting; the kittens will be available for adoption soon. E-mail cats@grpg.org if interested.

Summer Day Camp

Boys & Girls Club members from the Alum Rock, Smythe, and Levin clubhouses are joining us for a week each in July for a half-day camp that uses the gardens, river, and trail. Activities include geocaching, bike riding, and learning about the river environment, animals, and food production. Many thanks to our neighbors at Trader Joe's for providing behind-the-scenes tours to complement the lesson in the Historic Orchard.

Window on the River Park

Window on the River Park, our annual donor recognition event, was held on Thursday, June 8th and generously hosted and underwritten by Adobe Systems, Inc.

We greatly appreciate the individuals, corporations, and foundations who provide operating support for our education, advocacy, and stewardship efforts.

Volunteer Corner

A cheerful group of BPM employees joined us to spruce up the Courtyard Garden roses.

A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past May:

Apple
Armanino
BPM CPA
California San Jose LDS Missionaries
Cristo Rey High School
The Fairmont Hotel San Jose
Friends of Children with Special Needs
Hope Services
Intel
Keller Williams Realty
Lattice Semiconductor
Lynbrook High School CSF
McCarthy Building Companies
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
Notre Dame High School
QuantumScape
South Bay Heritage Rose Group

And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. We logged more than 2,047 volunteer hours in May.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

• Heritage Rose Garden Workdays
  Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30 am. More info.
  
  
• Historic Orchard Workday
  Sat. August 5th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.

• PlayGarden Landscaping Support
  Ongoing, e-mail Ricky for more information.

• General Support - Ongoing
  Have some time during the week but can't make one of our regular workdays? Let us know! Every bit of time helps. E-mail Ricky for more information.

Meet Volunteer: Mary
Mary is one of our office and Rotary PlayGarden volunteers; she comes to us as she is recovering from a work injury. Mary has been a great help with our interns from the county program in providing leadership support on projects. We hope she's able to return to work soon, but will miss her when the time comes. Everyone at Guadalupe River Park Conservancy would like to give a big round of applause and thank you to Mary for all that she's doing for us.