A Walk in the Park is a podcast series from the City of San José's Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department.

Grab your headphones, a snack, and a quiet place to listen to our podcast and learn more about our department staff and programs.

• A Walk in the Park Season 2, Episode 4
• A Walk in the Park Season 2, Episode 3
• A Walk in the Park Season 2, Episode 2
• A Walk in the Park Season 2, Episode 1
• A Walk in the Park Season 1, Episode 5
• A Walk in the Park Season 1, Episode 4
• A Walk in the Park Season 1, Episode 3
• A Walk in the Park Season 1, Episode 2
• A Walk in the Park Season 1, Episode 1

The mission of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is to build healthy communities through people, parks and programs. PRNS provides a diverse variety of programs that impact the lives of children, youth, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities throughout the City. PRNS strives to build community through fun, and make and activate quality places in San José where people want to live, work, play, and learn.

PRNS has a rich history and was established in the 1940’s. Here are highlights of our department through the years.

• 1930: First semi-public type of recreation program was launched in San José.
• 1942: City Council passed ordinances to create a five-member recreation commission and Department Director.
• 1957: People of San José passed a bond to build the first community center.
• 1966: Leininger Community Center was the first community center opened for public use.
• 1960s: The Department grew with the addition of St. James and Mayfair Neighborhood Centers, Family Camp at Yosemite, City golf course, and senior education center.
• 1970s: The Department divided the City into geographical areas allowing more flexibility into which types of programs to offer.
• 1980: Christmas in the Park opened for the first time at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
• 1980s: Youth Services Division oversaw development of NorCal Hershey Championship Track Meets, cheerleading competitions, junior high basketball tournaments, youth conferences.
• 1980s: The Department added Visitor Services and Facilities (VSF) to develop facilities: Overfelt Park, Alum Rock Park and Kelley Park, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, San José Family Camp, Lake Cunningham Park and Almaden Lake Park.
• 1987: Camden Lifetime Activity Center opened and was the prototype for future community centers.
• 1991: San José Youth Empowerment Alliance, formerly Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force (MGPTF), was implemented.
• 1993: The Department grew from four to 33 community centers, and added a citywide service for therapeutic recreation and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
• 2000: Bond approved by voters to improve parks and community centers,  including Almaden Lake Regional Park; Emma Prusch Farm Park; Happy Hollow Park & Zoo; and Almaden, Bascom, Camden, Mayfair, Roosevelt, and Seven Trees Community Centers. 
• 2009: The Department developed the Pricing and Revenue Policy. This policy granted the City Manager to set PRNS user fees, thereby increasing PRNS’ ability to increase cost-recovery goals.
• 2015: The first annual Viva CalleSJ event was held, closing down six miles of streets to create the largest park in San José for a day.
• 2021: PRNS added a new Community Services Division, which brings
  BeautifySJ, Project Hope, and San José Youth Empowerment Alliance programs under one division.

Community Investment - Measure P Bond Projects

Developed in the year 2000, the Greenprint (capital-centric strategic plan) protected, preserved and promoted parks, facilities and community centers using the voter-approved $228 million Measure P Parks and Recreation Bond. Twenty years later, San José has grown as a city and a community. ActivateSJ is a people-focused, service-driven 20-year strategic plan that complements Greenprint.

An extensive breakdown of all projects funded by the 2000's Parks and Recreation Bond can be found here.

 The TPL Park Finance Feasibility Study (July 2017)  presents viable local public options for funding conservation, parks, and recreation purposes; it also provides analysis of which local options and funding levels are feasible, economically prudent, and likely to be publicly acceptable.