E-NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2020
We Are Here With Our Community
At this time, more than ever, we are reminded of the important role parks play in our community's physical and social well-being. As Inga Saffron remarks in a March 23, 2020 article in The Philadelphia Inquirer :

"As bad as things are, try to imagine what life would be right now without our parks. Before this crisis, we took our parks for granted. They were something that was always there, and, as a result, we’ve underfunded them for decades. Now it turns out we need our parks like we need food: for basic survival. When the virus passes — and it will — let’s remember it was our parks that enabled us to endure this crisis."

We hope our park serves as a welcome respite for you, especially now.

We continue to closely monitor the evolution of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In accordance with the present Santa Clara County shelter-in-place order , the Visitor & Education Center will remain closed through Sunday, May 3rd. Staff continue to work remotely and will maintain correspondence during regular business hours. Programs and facilities will observe the following schedules:

  • The Rotary PlayGarden will remain closed through Monday, May 4th
  • Heritage Rose Garden volunteer workdays will remain on hold through Saturday, May 2nd
  • CHIRP homeschool programs will be held online via distance learning format

Updated notifications of any changes will be provided via email or on Facebook . We encourage you to get involved, as you are able, in support programs via Silicon Valley Strong , or show commitment to the Conservancy's mission by participating in our Rose Adoption and Membership programs. Should you have any questions or concerns, you may reach our office via email at info@grpg.org .
Help Keep Our Parks Open
You can help ensure our parks and trails remain an accessible resource during this time by maintaining physical distancing and avoiding group activities. Our partners at City of San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services produced a video highlighting best practices to #KeepSJParksOpen . Citywide program and facilities updates are listed online.
Adopt a Rose for Mother's Day
This Mother's Day, celebrate Mom, or anyone who symbolizes "Mom," with a unique gift package and custom-dedicated rose in the Heritage Rose Garden. We've added some new features to our program this year to accommodate social distancing, including a guided virtual tour and gift package delivery. Proceeds help us provide stewardship for the river park and gardens.
Hello from Home
Staff put together a series of videos to share what we've been up to while working remotely. Here's a message from our Executive Director, Jason Su.
Caring for Our Critters
While the Visitor Center is quieter these days, our resident education ambassadors remain in excellent care, receiving daily visits from Education Program Associate Lauren McCawley. Among the milestones: rats Jake and Marcus' first birthdays. Follow us on Facebook for cameos from our ambassadors, and more!
Education, Advocacy and Stewardship
Arm (above) helped us spruce up the Rotary PlayGarden. A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past February:

  • Arm
  • Habitat for Humanity & Rebuilding Together
  • Homestead High School, National Honor Society
  • Hope Services
  • Leland High School
  • Lynbrook High School, CSF
  • Mission Bay
  • Monte Vista High School
  • Morgan Autism Center
  • Piedmont Hills High School
  • Pioneer High School
  • Pulse Secure
  • South Bay Heritage Rose Group
  • The Harker School
  • UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
  • Valley Christian High School

And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. You helped us log 611 volunteer hours in February.
Meet the Volunteers: Dee, Sierra, and Brooke
Dee and her daughters Sierra (left) and Brooke (right) are supporting us with some tree cutting within the Historic Orchard, helping us advance the orchard's revitalization ! The trees are aged, diseased, and pose a safety hazard due to dropping limbs. Dee and Brooke have been sawing since 2016, when Brooke was the youngest person to complete the West Valley College Power Saws class at the age of 18. This sawyer team (people who saw timber) is rounded out with Sierra being their swamper (a person who clears the cut debris). We are so grateful to be able provide their household with some fun while getting some much needed work done.
Coming Up
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happening in your park.
2020 is a census year! Haven't responded yet? You can do so online - census data helps allocate federal funding to our community.

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