On May 17, parks in the south of Pruneridge area of Santa Clara got a lot of personal attention. First was the long-awaited opening of Midtown Village Park on Winchester near Stevens Creek, which drew a big crowd to enjoy the new space.
The second was the South of Forest Neighborhood Association’s (SOFNA) annual workday at Parkway Park, on the dead end of Forest Avenue at the corner of San Tomas and Saratoga.
Volunteers planted trees and flowers, and spread new sand over the park’s walking trail, which was deteriorated. Even Mayor Jamie Matthews could be seen wielding a shovel. All of the plants and soil were donated by SOFNA.
The park is important to the Nishi Yamato preschool on Harald Avenue, says Director Mayumi Hosaka. “We bring our students to the park every other week. We’re very lucky. We appreciate that we can use it.”
The park improvement day was the brainchild of neighborhood resident Michelle Perviance, says neighbor and Parks and Recreation Commission Mike O’Halloran. “She wanted to do something for Make-a-Difference Day, and now it’s become an annual event.