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#ACTIVATESJ SAN JOSÉ TRAIL PAVES IT’S WAY NATIONALLY
GUADALUPE RIVER TRAIL REDEDICATED IN NATIONAL TRAIL NETWORK
"There can be nothing in the world more beautiful...see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred,” former President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt said as he established the National Park System, which enabled historic landmarks to be preserved as national treasures today.
Last Friday, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and San José City officials rededicated the national landmark Guadalupe River Trail for its history, accomplishments, and importance to our community.
Mayor Matt Mahan noted, “There are many benefits to our trails, whether its recreation and promotes health or to get to work. It’s also spiritual fulfilling to connect with nature.”
This was echoed by Councilmember Dev Davis who said, “Walking, biking and spending time outside in nature are some of the best ways to extend our lives and our quality of life. That’s why it’s important to cherish these areas.”
However, it was a generational effort with several agencies working together, from local to state and especially the federal government.
“We worked together across agencies that resulted in a wonderful outdoor facility. The trails are important for lots of people, not just walking but commuting on bicycles also,” said Lofgren.
City officials and supportive agencies gathered around Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren as she cut the ribbon celebrating the trail’s rededication.
After its completion in 1989, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) and the Friends of the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens (FGRPG) sought to implement a trail network alongside the historical river to beautify and extend nature into the City’s urban landscape.
PRNS spent years of planning to develop two trail systems spanning 20 miles, extending northward from Lake Almaden Park to the San Francisco Bay in Alviso.
The department also sought to promote this trail system as a National Recreation Trail (NRT), a prestigious national designation awarded for high caliber and state-of-the-art designs for recreation opportunity.
The task wasn’t easy as PRNS had to overcome numerous challenges. Critical infrastructure had to be built to comply with ADA regulations; flood protection designs needed to be implemented with the guidance of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) and the US Army Corps of Engineers; and significant funding through Federal Transportation Bills had to be acquired to further support the trail’s maintenance.
Meanwhile, the trail also received Letters of Support from the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, FGRPG, California State Trails Program, and SCVWD – agencies which contributed and invested in the trail’s development.
With the waves of support, critical attention to design, and the resources invested by several agencies, the Guadalupe River Trail was finally recognized as an NRT in 2009, joining the ranks of over 1,300 trails across the country.
The trail’s newly unveiled NRT marker gleaming in the sun.
“I can tell you he [Zsutty] worked tirelessly to make sure that it met all of the qualifications for the designation, and the City was extremely proud when it was awarded the designation,” Sewell continued.
The Guadalupe River Trail, winding through San José's most scenic landscapes and historic landmarks – such as the Children’s Discovery Museum, Arena Green, and Guadalupe Gardens – has become a treasure connecting multiple neighborhoods and providing healthy recreational access for the City’s residents year-round.
The Rotary PlayGarden is one of the many highlights families can enjoy along the Guadalupe River Trail.
Lofgren ended her remarks thanking the City of San José for “taking the time to rededicate this so that people in our community know that its available and make even greater use of the trail.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the Guadalupe River Trail and experience firsthand the beauty and tranquility that earned it national recognition.
To learn more about the Guadalupe River Trail, visit our trail webpage.
The ActivateSJ Strategic Plan is the City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) plan to maintain, improve and expand our facilities, programs, and services. The plan guides how we care for and develop a diverse park system and an abundance of recreation programs and services for all in San José.
ActivateSJ’s mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. To learn more about our department’s plan and vision to move forward, visit activatesj.org.