Plaza de San José Leads Community Survey for Downtown Park Name

A ranked-choice survey of more than 10,000 participants has put Plaza de San José well ahead of four other finalists for the downtown park at Market Street. Parks spokesman Ed Bautista called the margin about two to one over the next-highest choice.

The list of names grew out of more than 600 public suggestions. After Plaza de San José came Farmworkers Plaza, Plaza del Pueblo, Plaza Park, and Plaza de Quetzalcoatl. Before 1993 the square was known simply as Plaza Park.

Staff will take the results to the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 2. The commission will then send a recommendation to the City Council, which makes the final decision later this fall. Council members may accept the survey winner or pick another name.

The 2.3-acre plaza is Northern California’s oldest public square and already hosts Christmas in the Park, Music in the Park, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Fountain Blues and Brews, and Silicon Valley Pride. A name that points straight back to the city itself would match the role the space has played for generations.

Downtown San Jose residents and visitors who already treat the park as a shared living room now have a clear sense of where the public conversation landed.

Source: San Jose Inside

AES Drops Plans for Large Battery Storage Project in Coyote Valley

AES Corporation announced this week that it has canceled its proposed Jewelflower Battery Energy Storage System on a 128-acre site of prime farmland in North Coyote Valley near Morgan Hill. The 350-megawatt project would have placed hundreds of containerized lithium-ion battery units across roughly 40 acres of actively farmed land on San Jose’s southern edge.

The company cited a review of project economics, infrastructure needs, market conditions, community input, and long-term priorities. No permit application had been filed. Local opposition had grown steadily, with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority voting unanimously in May against the plan. Authority leaders pointed to more than $160 million already invested by voters and agencies to protect wildlife corridors, groundwater recharge, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture in the Coyote Valley Conservation Program area.

Parents at the nearby Charter School of Morgan Hill, state legislators including Senator Dave Cortese and Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Gail Pellerin, and a petition that collected more than 2,200 signatures had also raised concerns about placing industrial-scale batteries so close to a school and inside a conserved landscape. A previous battery project known as Hummingbird had already been successfully moved to an industrial site behind the Open Space Authority’s San Jose headquarters, showing that better locations exist.

The cancellation keeps Coyote Valley’s open fields and hills available for the wildlife movement, farming, and public access that make the area a vital buffer and natural asset for San Jose and the South Bay. AES continues to pursue battery storage elsewhere in California, while this decision reinforces that energy infrastructure and protected landscapes can both advance when projects are sited with care.

Source: San Jose Inside

Free Live Music Returns to Lake Cunningham with Levitt on Location

Lake Cunningham Park hosts a free evening of live music on Friday, August 28, as Levitt on Location joins the Fridays at the Lake series. The concert runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cypress Pavilion, 2305 South White Road.

Hella Doubtful headlines with a high-energy tribute to No Doubt and Gwen Stefani, delivering the ska-punk sound of the 1990s. Fire Peach opens the night with alternative rock and pop-rock hits from the 1990s and early 2000s, a set the Bay Area band has performed across Northern California since 2015.

Food trucks, beer and wine for purchase, and kids’ activities round out the evening beside the lake. Free parking is available, and guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets for an outdoor picnic-style experience. The full Fridays at the Lake series continues through October 2 with additional concerts and movie nights.

The next Levitt on Location date is set for September 25, featuring Discos Resaca and a Selena tribute. These free, all-ages evenings offer a straightforward way to spend a summer Friday outdoors with live music and a lakeside atmosphere.

Free Outdoor Screening of How to Train Your Dragon at Joseph D. Grant County Park

Families can settle under the open sky on Saturday, August 1, for a free showing of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon at Joseph D. Grant County Park. The film begins at sunset, with the evening running from 8:00 p.m. to about 10:45 p.m. at the Canada De Pala group site.

Santa Clara County Parks hosts the event as part of its summer Movie Nights in the Park series. Entry costs nothing, though parking runs $6 per vehicle. Guests should bring a chair or blanket, a flashlight, and snacks. Dogs stay home for this one.

The park sits at 18405 Mount Hamilton Road in San José and offers a scenic backdrop of rolling hills for the adventure. Arriving early helps secure a good spot before the lights go down and the story of dragons and friendship unfolds on the big screen.

This simple outdoor gathering gives local residents an easy way to enjoy a popular family film without leaving the county’s natural spaces. Pack light, head out early, and settle in for an evening of movie magic among the trees.

Source: Santa Clara County Parks

New Bill Kee Park Takes Shape Near Almaden Expressway

A modest 1.4-acre parcel at the end of Rinconada Drive will soon become Bill Kee Park, a neighborhood gathering spot complete with a playground, walking loop, pollinator garden, public art, and a bioretention system that captures and filters stormwater. The site sits adjacent to the Almaden Expressway and Curtner Avenue off-ramp in south San Jose.

City Council approved the name earlier this year after community surveys ranked Bill Kee highest among the options. Kee, a Chinese American business leader who died in 1989, helped preserve San Jose’s historic Chinatown and broke barriers by becoming one of the first Chinese Americans admitted to several local civic organizations.

Design work is scheduled to wrap up this spring, with construction expected to begin in the fall and the park opening for public use by summer 2027. The project grows out of land dedicated during the Latitude 37 apartment development and forms part of broader efforts to improve water quality while adding recreation space to nearby residential pockets.

Families and neighbors in the area will gain a quiet place to walk, play, and learn once the improvements arrive. The combination of everyday amenities and environmental features turns an underused corner into a practical addition that supports both daily life and the city’s long-term sustainability goals.

Source: City of San Jose Capital Projects

Help Choose the Next Name for Downtown San Jose’s Historic Central Plaza

The heart of Downtown San Jose has long served as the city’s original gathering ground, dating back nearly 250 years to the founding of the Pueblo de San José. For decades this 2.3-acre space hosted celebrations, civic events, and everyday moments under successive names before carrying the title Plaza de César Chávez. Now residents have a direct hand in deciding what it will be called next.

A ranked-choice survey opened July 24 and remains available through midnight on August 3, 2026. Participants will order five finalist options drawn from community listening sessions and an earlier public suggestion period: Farmworkers Plaza, Plaza de Quetzalcoatl, Plaza de San Jose, Plaza del Pueblo, and Plaza Park. The process aims to surface the name that best reflects shared values of connection, history, inclusion, and a welcoming identity for everyone who uses the space.

Before ranking, take a moment with the short SurveyMonkey demo video that walks through the ranking feature. Then open the survey, arrange the options according to personal preference, and submit. Staff will review the results and present recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 2. The commission’s input moves next to the City Council for a final decision later this year.

This plaza sits at the center of Downtown San Jose’s civic life, steps from City Hall, the Tech Interactive, and major transit routes. Giving it a name chosen by the people who walk its paths, attend its concerts, and claim its lawns strengthens the sense that public spaces truly belong to the community. Share the survey link with neighbors, coworkers, and local groups so the final ranking captures as many voices as possible.

Questions can go to Parkplanning@sanjoseca.gov. Additional project details, timeline, and FAQs live at the city’s capital projects page: https://bit.ly/prns-capitalprojects. The survey itself is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/29TD923.

Free Live Music Returns to St. James Park for an Unforgettable June Lineup

The John Santos Sextet will play a free concert on June 20, spotlighted Latin jazz in St. James Park. This multi Grammy nominee and his ensemble will explore the historical threads and improvisational fire of styles from Cuba, Puerto Rico and wider Latin America. Scheduled openers are Future Dead Ringers and Bloco do Sol. The full program invites all ages to enjoy food trucks alongside a beer and wine garden in the open air setting.

June 21 will deliver a high energy celebration of Father s Day, Make Music Day and global soccer excitement. Los Rakas will bring their signature Panamanian mix of hip hop, plena, reggae and dancehall to the stage as headliners. The Grammy nominated duo, known for empowering narratives and collaborations with artists across genres, will headline a day that also features Kaefan, Rogê and local DJs such as Mumbai Rani.

Further dates in the series will extend the momentum with themes ranging from lowrider Souldies to Prince tributes and salsa instruction. Co presentations with groups like MACLA and CUKUI ensure each weekend reflects the breadth of San Jose artistic voices.

These gatherings in a green space steps from Downtown San Jose reinforce how shared music experiences foster connection across neighborhoods. With every free event, the Levitt San Jose initiative demonstrates the power of accessible arts to energize community life and lay groundwork for a lasting cultural landmark.

For the complete schedule, volunteer opportunities, or to support the pavilion project, visit levittsanjose.org.

Coyote Creek Habitat Day Will Turn a Morning in Morgan Hill into a Living Classroom for South Bay Families

San Jose families seeking a meaningful way to spend a Saturday morning will find it at Coyote Creek Habitat Day on June 6. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coyote Creek Visitor Center near Anderson Lake in Morgan Hill, where the creek itself becomes the teacher and every participant gets to explore its secrets up close.

Interactive exhibitors will share the story of local watersheds while live wildlife makes appearances throughout the morning. Guests can choose a short bike ride along the trail, join a guided nature or bird walk, or settle in for mini chats with guest speakers who know the creek’s rhythms best. Those who prefer hands-on discovery can join the BioBlitz, play Agents of Discovery, or carefully examine an owl pellet to piece together what a predator ate the night before.

The day highlights everything that makes Coyote Creek special: its role as a vital habitat corridor, the diversity of species that call it home, and the simple power of spending time outdoors in a place that still feels wild. By the time the event wraps at 1 p.m., even the youngest explorers will carry home new questions and a stronger sense of why protecting these waterways matters.

Admission costs nothing, and the address at 19245 Malaguerra Avenue comes with a gentle nudge to walk, bike, carpool, or ride public transit when possible. Full details and any last-minute updates will appear on the event page, while questions can go directly to interp@prk.sccgov.org.

Throne Smart Restroom in Arena Green West Near SAP Center

San Jose installed a high-tech public restroom that raised the standard for convenience at Arena Green West. The Throne unit arrived in Guadalupe River Park directly across from SAP Center and delivered a clean, efficient experience for park visitors and event crowds.

The solar-powered, fully self-contained design featured a toilet, urinal, sink, and baby-changing table inside pleasant plant-themed surroundings. Access opened instantly through a QR code, text message, mobile app, or simple entry card. A friendly voice in English and Spanish offered a warm welcome while soft music played during each stay.

Smart sensors monitored the space and a ten-minute limit with gentle reminders kept everything fresh and ready for the next user. This six-month pilot program funded by the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy tested an innovative answer to longstanding public restroom challenges.

The addition made time spent along the Guadalupe River and near SAP Center far more comfortable for families, fans, and daily visitors alike. Hopefully the pilot will go well and we'll see more of these throughout Downtown public spaces.

Source: The Mercury News

Arena Green Park Receives Major Makeover Next to SAP Center

Arena Green Park stepped up its role in Downtown San Jose after receiving a targeted refresh right beside SAP Center. The city directed $1.1 million into the project while the San Jose Sharks contributed $200,000 to help activate this key green space and strengthen connections across downtown neighborhoods.

Crews removed the abandoned carousel to create a versatile new event space and converted the tennis court into modern pickleball and multipurpose courts. They added upgraded lighting along the trails, improved pathways, and completed a thorough cleanup that drew more foot traffic and daily activity to the area.

Special accent lighting around the palm trees will glow teal whenever the Sharks score at the nearby Shark Tank. The detail turned the park into a natural extension of game nights and gave fans an even better experience on their way to and from events.

These upgrades formed part of a broader effort to link different sections of Downtown San Jose and encourage everyone to linger longer. Head over soon to see how the renewed park enhances the entire Downtown experience.

Source: SVBJ

Levitt Pavilion San Jose Targets Summer 2028 Opening

San Jose advances its cultural landscape with the upcoming Levitt Pavilion, a $21 million music venue planned for a corner of St. James Park in Downtown San Jose. This project, in development since 2012, recently secured a tri-party agreement among the city, the Levitt Foundation, and Friends of Levitt San Jose. The agreement allocates $15 million from the city and $500,000 from the Levitt Foundation, plus annual operational support of $250,000. Friends of Levitt San Jose aims to raise at least $5 million to initiate construction, with hopes of reaching $7 million for added operational funds.

Once completed, the pavilion will host at least 50 free concerts each year, accommodating up to 5,000 guests. This setup promotes accessible live music for all ages, aligning with the mission to build community through performances. The venue's plug-and-play design allows local art groups and organizations to rent the space for events, enhancing its versatility. Acoustic technology ensures sound directs forward, minimizing impact on surrounding areas.

Similar Levitt pavilions in other cities have spurred significant development. For instance, Levitt Pavilion Dayton generated $310 million in capital investment since 2018, revitalizing vacant buildings. Levitt Pavilion Sioux Falls brought $560 million in new projects over five years, including retail, residences, and hotels. In San Jose, the pavilion could catalyze development around St. James Park, potentially adding 1,000 to 1,200 housing units on nearby sites.

Pop-up concerts sponsored by Levitt have already demonstrated the park's potential, drawing crowds to diverse acts like cumbia-punk-rock bands. These gatherings unite varied community members, from east side enthusiasts to local neighbors. The projected $14 million annual economic impact to Downtown San Jose underscores the venue's role in fostering growth and vibrancy.

For more information: https://levittsanjose.org/

Source: SVBJ

Bark in the Park Returns for Its 27th Year in San Jose

San Jose hosts one of Northern California's largest gatherings for dog enthusiasts with Bark in the Park on September 20, 2025. This annual festival draws over 6,000 people and more than 2,500 dogs to William Street Park, located at the corner of East William Street and South 16th Street, just minutes from Downtown San Jose. Organized by the Campus Community Association in the historic Naglee Park neighborhood, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers a full day of activities tailored for families and their four-legged companions.

Attendees can explore agility courses, enjoy food and beverages, and browse a variety of vendors focused on dog services and products. Kids find plenty of engaging activities, while special guests add to the lively atmosphere. The Humane Society Silicon Valley provides free vaccines through a mobile wellness clinic, available while supplies last. A suggested $10 donation per adult supports local organizations like the Humane Society Silicon Valley and the San Jose Animal Care Center, with kids and dogs entering at no cost.

This year's edition introduces Animal Rescue Row, a dedicated area showcasing local rescue groups and adoptable dogs ready for new homes. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., these pups take the main stage, giving visitors a chance to connect with the organizations behind their care. Dog contests highlight the fun, including a pet and owner look-alike competition at noon, a costume contest at 1 p.m., and a tail-wagging event at 2 p.m., all held on the main stage.

Celebrating a Decade of Inclusive Play at San Jose’s Rotary PlayGarden

San Jose’s Rotary PlayGarden turns ten this month, and the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is hosting a vibrant celebration on September 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 438 Coleman Avenue. This milestone marks a decade of joy, connection, and accessibility for children and families of all abilities. Since opening in 2015, this unique playground has welcomed over a million visitors, offering a space where everyone can play side by side. The event promises a day filled with family-friendly activities, music, and heartfelt tributes to the community visionaries who made this inclusive haven possible.

The Rotary PlayGarden stands out as San Jose’s first fully accessible playground, a gift from the Rotary Club of San Jose to mark their centennial. Designed with ramps, sensory-rich features, and spaces for children with diverse needs, it ensures that no one is left out. Families can explore slides, swings, climbing structures, and a sand play area, all crafted to foster shared experiences. The playground’s thoughtful design extends to parents and caregivers, with seating and clear sightlines for supervision, making it a welcoming spot for all.

On the day of the celebration, expect a lineup that brings the community together. Local leaders and elected officials will share remarks, honoring the Rotary Club’s legacy and the volunteers who keep the PlayGarden thriving. A live performance by a local artist will set a festive tone, followed by family yoga and a bilingual Beginner Environmental Explorers program to spark curiosity about nature. Crafting tables and lawn games will keep kids and adults engaged throughout the event, creating memories in the heart of Guadalupe River Park. Visitors can also explore the nearby Visitor & Education Center to learn more about the park’s wildlife and history.

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy continues to maintain this cherished space through volunteer efforts and community support. Their work ensures the PlayGarden remains a safe, clean, and vibrant destination for years to come. Mark your calendars for September 13 and join the celebration to experience the joy of this remarkable playground and the spirit of San Jose.

For more info, head over here.

CaliBunga Waterpark San Jose officially opening June 29th!

What was once known as San Jose's Ranging Waters is being reborn as CaliBunga Waterpark San Jose starting on Saturday June 29th. The park is located inside Lake Cunningham Park and features over a dozen water attractions. It'll be open from 11am-6pm every day until August 7th and then open weekends through September.

They have upped the food options with in-park Food Trucks like Los Tres Hermanos and El Bombero 408. Best of all, they are planning a new restaurant and wine garden that will be open year-round! That is a great way to utilize space that would generally be empty most of the year. The restaurant will also have live music and an event space.

Tickets start at $28 for Twilight Admission (after 3pm). General admission starts at $53 and season passes start at $65. You can also rent cabanas with locking storage and food service. For more info, head to the CaliBunga website.

Plaza de Cesar Chavez has some new amenities

Just in time for nicer weather, I noticed a few new features in Plaza de Cesar Chavez yesterday. There are two outdoor table tennis tables that look really nice along with fancy lounge seating. Several kids were already playing in the fountains even though it was not a very warm day.

The additions felt very welcome and will inevitably be popular with the college students that are moving into the former Fairmont Annex tower across the street. I also like that the colors chosen match and compliment The Tech Interactive museum.

Hopefully we'll see more surprises like this in parks throughout Downtown San Jose.

San Jose Water Lantern Festival

A three-day lantern festival is coming to Almaden Lake Park in South San Jose from June 21-23. Each day starts with food trucks, music, and activities. Around 8pm, you can design your lantern and then between 8:30 and 10pm you launch your lantern into the lake.

Tickets range from $27-56, but the cheapest pricing ends on March 6th. Tickets include a floating lantern kit, LED candle, a drawstring bag, and lantern retrieval and clean up at the end of the event.

For more information and to get tickets, head here.

San Jose's Frontier Village Remnants

Did you know San Jose once had a Western-themed theme park that opened in the 1960s? A Palo Alto entrepreneur built Frontier Village for $2 million after being inspired at Disneyland. It was built on about 60 acres near Hayes Mansion.

Some of the highlights were staged gunfights, saloons, and several rides including a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, railroad, canoe rides, and horse-drawn carriages. An expansion was planned in 1977, but neighbors complained and the San Jose City Council denied the plans. Unfortunately, due to this and further competition from Marriott's Great America the park closed in 1980.

However, you can find all sorts of remnants and tributes for the theme park at Edenvale Garden Park across from Hayes Mansion. This includes five scale buildings placed where their original structures were and a play structure that is themed after the park's railroad. Next time you are visiting Hayes Mansion, it's worth a detour to check out the park and see how many references you can find related to a shuttered theme park.

Source: SJtoday

Pellier Park Grand Opening today in Downtown San Jose

Today, San Jose gets a new park. You might have noticed a large construction area in front of City Heights, Downtown's first high-rise residential tower. This will be Pellier Park, named after a nursery founded and operated by Louis and Pierre Pellier. They planted grape seedlings and became famous for growing prunes. By 1870 more than 19,000 prune trees were planted.

Pellier Park is 0.54-acres and has a central area in the shape of a plum with a community grove in the very center. It features a variety of flowering trees, sloped lawns, lounge seating, a storytelling wall, and a flowering tree drift. There is also a walkway beside a new set of townhomes that were built at the corner of the block.

The park is immediately accessible by anyone at City Heights, is across the street from the 188 West St. James residential towers (formerly Silvery towers) and two blocks away from the San Pedro Square Market.

The grand opening takes place today at 5pm.

New Five Wounds Trail would link San Jose's cycling and walking network to the 28th Street/Little Portugal BART station by 2031

The Mercury News has a story about a trail that has been in the works for over 20 years. 

The Five Wounds Trail--named after the Five Wounds Portuguese National Church it would run by--would be a paved 2.17 mile route starting at the intersection of Story and Senter Roads. This is where the Coyote Creek and Lower Silver Creek trails come together. It is also near Kelly Park, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and History San Jose.

From there it would follow an abandoned railroad track all the way to Little Portugal, which is anchored by Five Wounds Church and is the site of the proposed 28th Street BART station, sometimes also referred to as the Alum Rock BART station.

What has become an unofficial walkway for some would be cleaned up, paved, and turned into a nice trail for walkers, runners, and cyclists with a few potentials areas for basketball courts and exercise equipment. It is all part of a master plan to connect hundreds of miles of trails together in Santa Clara County and would be a tremendous amenity for residents, especially those that are planning to utilize the new BART station.

Source: The Merc

Picnic by the lake with Senator Dave Cortese - Sep 30th at Hellyer County Park in South San Jose

Sen. Dave Cortese is hosting an inaugural "Picnic by the Lake" multicultural festival and resource fair in South San Jose. Everyone is welcome. Firefighters will be grilling up beef and veggie burgers for visitors, and unlike many things in life they will be completely free. There will also be a pumpkin patch filled with free pumpkins (while supplies last) and raffle prizes.

For the kids, there will be inflatables, face painting, and rock climbing. Entertainment includes performances from Folklorico Nacional Mexicano, Viet Steps dancers, and others.

Attendees can also get free flu shots and COVID vaccines. Up to 100 resource booths will also be there as well to promote other city resources.

The event will be Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 3pm at the scenic Hellyer County Park.

Source: San Jose Spotlight