What is the Parks Plan?

The Parks Plan: Parks for All is a long-term guide that will help the City take care of and improve our parks. We are creating this plan now, and it will set standards to make sure every neighborhood in San José has quality parks. The plan is based on community priorities, sustainable resources, and a shared vision for the future.

The Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department is leading this work. The Parks Plan builds on the goals already set in ActivateSJ and will turn those ideas into specific actions that support:

• Quality park
• Good care and maintenance
• Protecting nature and improving connections to it
• Community identity
• Fair access to parks for everyone

This is a great time to get involved and help shape future investments in our park system. We know many playgrounds, trails, restrooms, and other facilities are aging and need upgrades or replacement. We also know that resources have not always been shared evenly across the city, and current funding is not enough to support long-term maintenance. Community input will help the City understand what residents need most. The Parks Plan will help us set priorities, find possible funding options, and create strategies to maintain facilities and improve the park experiences that matter most to the community.

Why Are We Preparing This Plan?

San José is one of the largest cities in California and continues to grow and evolve. As community needs change, the City must plan for the future of its parks and trails. The Parks Plan will help answer important questions:

• How do we take care of existing park facilities?
• Where are new or improved parks and park facilities needed?
• How can existing parks and facilities better serve residents?
• How can the City improve trail and nature access and connectivity?
• What investments are needed to support future generations?

What will the Plan address?

The Plan will evaluate policies related to the City's parks and trails.  This includes large and small amenities ranging from benches to playgrounds, sports fields to park facilities, and everything in between. Programs will be considered to ensure that our parks and facilities support the informal recreation activities as well as organized, indoor and outdoor camps, classes, events, and programs that the community desires. The Parks Plan will address the condition of facilities, the quality of parks, and the maintenance and stewardship of parks, facilities, and natural resources as well.

When Will the Plan be Completed? ^

The five-phased planning process was launched in mid-Spring of 2026 and is expected to conclude by Winter 2028. Each phase includes community outreach and the technical analysis described below:

Existing Conditions (Spring - Fall 2026)

Build a clear picture of the system today to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities.

How your input shapes the plan: Learn about the Parks Plan process, the goals, and ways to get involved.

Needs Assessment (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027)

Understand community priorities, needs, and opportunities for the future.

How your input shapes the plan: Share priorities for park facilities, programs and services, and identify where needs are not being met today. 

Park System Scenarios (Spring - Fall 2027)

Explore different scenarios for meeting community needs and evaluate the tradeoffs of each. 

How your input shapes the plan: Consider scenarios and discuss which approaches best align with community priorities and values. 

Policies and Investment Strategies (Fall 2027 - Spring 2028)

Develop policies, investment priorities, and funding strategies that support the community's vision. 

How your input shapes the plan: Review and provide feedback on proposed policies, priorities, and investment strategies. 

Parks Plan (Spring - Winter 2028)

Prepare, review, and adopt the final plan. 

How your input shapes the plan: Review the draft plan and share whether it reflects the priorities and feedback provided throughout the process. 

What Are Goals of the Planning Process?

The Parks Plan is designed to build consensus around a parks investment strategy in San José by:

• Listening to the community. We will gather input from residents, community organizations, community leaders, and park and facility visitors to better understand community priorities, needs, and aspirations.
• Using data to inform decisions. We will combine community feedback with system-wide analysis, demographic trends, facility assessments, policy review, and sustainable funding strategies to develop informed recommendations.
• Prioritizing park opportunities for all. In the past, older neighborhoods with aging parks often received less investment than those in newer growth areas. We will look at different types of funding options, unique needs, and disparities in park and facility condition to ensure that all communities across San José have access to quality recreation opportunities.  
• Building consensus. We will work collaboratively with residents, City leadership, partner agencies, and community organizations to develop a plan that reflects shared priorities and supports long-term decision-making.
• Creating a practical implementation strategy. Recognizing that the park system needs a greater level of investment, but that current funding is limited, we will provide recommendations that are realistic, actionable, and aligned with available funding opportunities and City priorities.

What Will the Plan Accomplish?

• Focus investment on the City's highest priorities. It will identify the most critical needs across the parks system and establish clear priorities for future improvements.
• Improve and sustain existing parks and facilities. The Parks Plan will develop strategies that prioritize maintaining and enhancing the park facilities that residents rely on today.
• Support community- and data-driven investment decisions. It will establish a policy framework that helps guide future funding toward community needs while allowing flexibility to respond to changing priorities and opportunities.
• Define facilities needed. The Parks Plan will establish policies that identify the essential services and amenities the City should provide to support healthy, active, and connected communities.
• Promote fiscal responsibility. It will recommend service levels and investment strategies that balance community expectations with long-term operational and financial sustainability.
• Guide future decision-making. The Parks Plan will provide City leaders with a clear roadmap for planning, budgeting, partnerships, and capital investments over the next 20 years.

How Can I Get Involved? ^

Community participation is an essential part of the planning process. Throughout the project, residents will have opportunities to share ideas and provide feedback through surveys, community events, workshops, meetings, focus groups, and online engagement tools.

Events & Meetings

Event	Date	Time	Location
BeautifySJ Neighborhood Conference	Saturday October 3, 2026	9 a.m. - 2 p.m.	San José City Hall Rotunda 200 E. Santa Clara St.

Documents & Resources^

• Park System Map 

Additional Resources

• ActivateSJ
• Annual Reports and Greenprint (2000)

Community Advisory Committee ^

The Park Plan Community Advisory Committee (CAC) brings together community members from across San José to help inform the Parks Plan. Members were invited through neighborhood groups, community organizations, civic and nonprofit partners, and their connections to the community.

The CAC is an advisory group, not a decision-making body. Members will share their ideas, experiences, and community perspectives with City staff to help shape the Plan. CAC feedback will also be shared with the public, City committees and commissions, and the City Council.

CAC meetings are working sessions for invited members and are not public meetings. To keep the community informed, meetings will be recorded and posted on this website.

Members

• Amanda Rawson, Art Builds Community
• Anne Ferguson, Bay Area Older Adults
• Art Zimmerman, Lynbrook Athletics
• Bill Schroh, History San José
• Bob Levy, San José Park Advocates
• Bruce Victorine, District 7 Leadership Group
• Claudia Damiani Fontana, San José Parks Foundation
• Daphna Wolfe, District 1 Leadership Group
• David Wilkins, District 2 Leadership Group
• Dorsey Moore, San Jose Conservation Corps
• Elijah Harrell, African American Community Service Agency
• Fred Buzo, The Health Trust
• Helen Chapman, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
• Ines Legglew, Community Member
• Joan Rivas-Cosby, District 3 Leadership Group
• Kathy Sakamoto, Community Member
• Katie Shepard, The Creekside School
• Kira Maritano, Trust for Public Land
• Larry Ames, District 6 Leadership Group
• Laurel Prevetti, Community Member
• Linda Locke, District 4 Leadership Group
• Mary T. Nguyen, Community Member
• Michelle Zhang, Society of Heart's Delight
• Monica Morales-Alvarado, District 5 Leadership Group
• Patricia Mendoza, District 8 Leadership Group
• Rudy Flores, District 9 Leadership Group
• Sara Ghalandari, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
• Trân Vũ, Community Member
• Vasundhara Tadimeti, District 10 Leadership Group