Growing Our Urban Roots Youth Education Program

The Authority contributed $425,000 toward the City of Santa Clara's project to create this new 3-acre neighborhood park, originally named San Tomas Community Garden Park, located along the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, on the southwest corner of San Tomas Expressway and Monroe Avenue. The grant funded a community garden, open space, and picnic area.

The Authority contributed $400,000 to help the City of San Jose transform a neglected utility corridor into a recreational parkway with a meandering trail and landscaping that includes many native plants. Interpretive signage describes bio-retention swales that are part of the project and tell the story of Gary Albertson, a highway safety activist. The parkway is named in his memory.

In collaboration with the UC California Naturalist Program, San Jose Conservation Corps (SJCC) is training and certifying 25 Corpsmembers as California Naturalists. As SJCC becomes a UC California Naturalist partner, the organization will have the capacity to provide the certification in-house. With support from the grant, SJCC will train 75 Corpsmembers overall and have them all receive their California Naturalist Certification. Funds are utilized for Corpsmember wages, guest speaker stipends, and training materials/supplies.