Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who do I contact regarding maintenance of the trails?
Who do I call in an emergency? Who do I call for a non-emergency concern?
Who do if I contact to report suspicious behavior or have a concern about public safety?
Who do I call about graffiti or vandalism?
Who do I call to report a homeless encampment?
Does trail mileage reported include sidewalks and streets?
Where can I get information on trails in the surrounding region? 
How do I volunteer to help maintain the trails?
Who do I contact to learn about a developing trail?
How do I volunteer to support development of the Guadalupe River Park and Trail?
Who do I contact for debris or maintenance issues on public streets (not on the trail system)?
Who do I contact when I see debris in a creek or river next to the trail?
What do I do if I see a Mountain Lion?
How can I support development of more trails and open space?
Who do we contact to host a marathon or other special event along a trail?
The meandering trails within the Guadalupe Park are confusing. How do I find the quickest through route?
Where can I find printed maps and more information?
Can I use the trail during storm events?
 
Who do I contact regarding maintenance of the trails?
Call the Park & Trail Concern Hotline at 793-5510 or via email .

Who do I call in an emergency?
Call 911 from a telephone or 277-8911 from a cell phone. Watch for milestone markers on select trail systems to help responders determine your location and quickest means of access. 

Who do I call for a non-emergency concern? 
If no immediate danger or hazard, you may call 311 to reach the Police Department.

Who do if I contact to report suspicious behavior or have a concern about public safety?
You may not perceive the issue to be an emergency, but it is appropriate to call 911 so that operators and the Police can make an assessment and take appropriate action.

Who do I call about graffiti or vandalism?
To report graffiti on the trails or in parks, call 1 866 249-0543, or email photos and location to . Be prepared to describe the location and the extent of the graffiti in question. For vandalism, call the Park Concerns Hot Line at 793-5510 or via email. Reports can also be made with the free smart phone app - They can also report graffiti by downloading the smart phone APP, “SAN JOSE CLEAN” (available from the iTunes or Android Marketplace.)

Who do I call to report a homeless encampment or vagrancy?
Call 911 if activity presents an immediate risk to public safety.  To report an established encampment contact the Housing Department through their website.

Does trail mileage reported include sidewalks and streets?  
No San Jose's reported trail mileage is based entirely on off-street trails. Gaps in the system that require travel on a sidewalk or street do not contribute to mileage.  San Jose's Greenprint describes development of the 100-mile trail network as an entirely off-street facility.  Minor walking paths through parks or plaza spaces are not counted. 

Where can I get information on trails in the surrounding region? 
Visit the links page for route planning tools and websites for neighboring agencies.  

How do I volunteer to help maintain the trails?
Please call Mollie Tobias at 408 793-4190 or via email at or email  for volunteer opportunities. 

Who do I contact to learn about a developing trail?
Email questions to the Trail Manager.

How do I volunteer to support development of the Guadalupe River Park and Trail?
The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy champions expansion, maintenance and programming of the park.  Visit the conservancy's volunteer page to learn how you can participate. 

Who do I contact for debris or maintenance issues on public streets (not on the trail system)? 
Please contact the City's Department of Transportation dispatch office at 277-4373 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri except holidays. Dispatchers can either take care of an issue or direct the call appropriately.

Who do I contact when I see debris in a creek or river next to the trail?
Contact the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s via their Access Valley Water web site. Once there, follow the instructions below:.

What do I do if I see a Mountain Lion?
Call 911 immediately for the following conditions: immediate threat to humans, acting aggressively, sick or injured. If you see a mountain lion near a park or trail, call (408) 793-5510 or send an email to the Park Concern Hotline. Park Operations staff can post warning signage as appropriate and take any other necessary actions. For more information on Mountain Lions, go to the California Department of Fish and Game web site.

How can I support development of more trails and open space?
Contact your local, state and federal government officials to express support for trail funding programs. We can always use Letters of Support when submitting grants – getting them from companies that see the trails as an important commute option makes the grant application far more compelling. Please introduce us to your employer's lobbying or advocacy group.

Who do we contact to host a marathon or other special event along a trail? 
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is happy to offer assistance in planning your special event.  To learn more about special conditions and to secure a permit, please contact Athena Ramirez of the Special Park Use Unit at 408 794-6511 or .

How do I find the quickest through route through the Guadalupe River Park?
The Guadalupe River Park's meandering trails are fun to explore but can make a direct commute challening for the first time visitor.  A center line yellow stripe has been added to the trail to designated the "through" route.  Follow the line to find the quickest route through the park (between Highways 280 and 880).

Can I use the trail during storm events?
You should proceed with extreme caution during rainy weather and not travel through any standing water. Many trail under-crossings may be beneath water during and after a storm event and may also be impacted by submerged debris.  Maintenance staff monitors these facilities and seek to have them cleared as quickly as possible after a storm.