James F. Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050 
Tel: (408) 615-2260 Fax: (408) 260-9719
Email: ParksandRecreation@santaclaraca.gov
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for managing the City's parks and recreation activities as well as the operations of the City owned cemetery. The Parks and Recreation divisions are supported by funds derived from the General Fund and other revenues collected for special recreation programs and services.
In addition to maintaining and programming the various parks and recreation facilities, the divisions work cooperatively with public agencies (schools, churches, youth agencies, Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara Veteran's Memorial, service clubs, etc.), in coordinating all leisure services within the City.
Parks & Playgrounds Division
The Parks & Playgrounds Division is responsible for operating and maintaining the City's park areas. Facilities include picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, ball fields, soccer parks, swimming pools, neighborhood park buildings, as well as the Senior, Community Recreation, Teen, and Youth activities centers.
Recreation Division
A wide variety of community recreation programs are offered in sports, fitness, the arts, day camp, and many special interest areas. Programs range from family participation, to special groups relating to age, ability level, and special needs. The Parks and Recreation Department also hosts several special events throughout the year for the public to enjoy.
The Recreation Division administers the activities at five City-owned pools (George F. Haines International Swim Center, Warburton Swim Center, Mary Gomez Pool, Montague Swim Center, and the Senior Center Natatorium). In addition to regular recreation swimming, instructional swim lessons in beginning, intermediate, and advanced skills are offered to approximately 4,000 children and adults. The pools are also used for synchronized swimming, competitive swimming and diving meets, and swim activities for seniors and for the disabled. An extensive Senior Center is also administered by the Department and is the scene for many social and cultural activities as well as a variety of recreation classes and programs for adults 50 years and over. The Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center offers classes, an after school program, and special events to meet the needs of Santa Clara youth. The Teen Center offers students in 8th through 12th grade a place to hang out, take classes, and participate in special activities geared to the teen population. Scholarships are available for Residents and Youth Sports teams in Santa Clara.
Cemetery Division
The functions of the Cemetery Division are to design, develop and maintain the various facilities assigned. Assistance is rendered to all local citizens, customers, visitors and others doing business at the City's cemetery. Permanent records are kept for all business conducted. Included in the services the Division provides are the sale of graves, crypts and niches for interments, the layout of all grave spaces in new plots, the receipt and deposit of payments with the City Revenue Collection office (in the Finance Department), maintain and keep up-to-date the appropriate fees charged by the cemetery and the promotion and development of a well-rounded public relations program on behalf of the division.