Mission

Support a vibrant, active quality of life for all ages, abilities and interests of the Santa Clara community through excellent parks and recreational facilities, community services, programs, and events.

About Us

The City has developed municipal park facilities in order to provide its residents with a variety of recreation programs and services. The Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for managing and maintaining the City's beautiful park system, recreation facilities, pools, and cemeteries and providing programs, services and activities that enhance residents’ lives and contribute to the health and wellness of the community.

In September 2013, Council adopted a goal to enhance community sports and recreational assets. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding is prioritized and allocated on an annual basis from available sources such as the Capital Project Reserve Fund, the Housing Development Impact Fees (subject to Quimby Act & Mitigation Fee Act) and supplemented with grants, corporate and individual donations.

The City of Santa Clara has prioritized the renovation of parks and replacement of playgrounds and related facilities to meet accessibility, consumer product safety guidelines, and to improve the recreational play value. In addition, the Parks & Recreation Department has used research based best practices to create a Public Park Amenity & Design Standard for planning of new and expanded play spaces, with the goal of providing 2.53 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents.
 (Park Amenity & Design Standard)

In April 2022, Council adopted a Parks & Recreation Cost Recovery policy.  This policy establishes subsidy levels based on community vs. individual benefit for classes, programs and rentals.

To read about Parks & Recreation research click on the links below…

• 40 Developmental Assets (PDF)
• Elements of Play
• Place Making
• Outdoor Fitness
• Age Friendly Cities
• Sustainable Parks
• Cities of Tomorrow Will Need Conservation and Sustainability 

Parks & Recreation Department History

Decade	Population	Acres of Parkland	History (Completed Dates)
1940	6,650	6.79	Existing City Parks: City Plaza Park (1900) Larry J. Marsalli Park (1900) Other/Projects: First Recreation Commission appointed by City Council (1949)
1950	11,702	45.71	Steve Carli Park (1952), Everett Alvarez, Jr. Park (1954), Warburton Parks & Pool (1954), Memorial Cross Park (1956), Homeridge Park (1956), Bowers Park (1957), Mary Gomez Park (1958) Other/Projects: First full-time recreation staff hired Responsibility for Mission City Memorial Park Cemetery transferred to Parks & Recreation Department (1957- established in 1860) City passes a parks bond (1958- $1,940,000)
1960	58,603	115.53	Machado Park (1961), Maywood Park (1961), Westwood Oaks Park (1961), Central Park (1962), Civic Center Park (1966), International Swim Center (1966), Bracher Park (1969), Earl Carmichael Park (1969) Other/Projects: Parks & Recreation Structural Change: Three divisions created, each with a Superintendent position, Parks, Recreation & Cemetery (1964)
1970	87,717	139.65	Rotary Park (1970) Agnew Park (1970) Montague Park (1970) Gymnastics Center (1971) Senior Center  (1972) Fremont Park (1973) Community Recreation Center (1975) Parkway Park (1976) Henry Schmidt Park (1977) Other/Projects: Montague Swim Center (1976- Joint Use)
1980	87,764	153.69	Fairway Glen Park (1980) Jenny Strand Park (1987) Other/Projects: Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club Built (1987)
1990	13,613	165.11	Lick Mill Park (1991) Fuller Street Park (1999) Other/Projects: Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center Built (1990- Joint Use) Skate Park Built (1999- Joint Use) War Memorial Playground (1990- Joint Use)
2000	102,360	179.27	Live Oak Park (2004) Thamien Park (2006) Ulistac Natural Area (2000) Geoff Goodfellow Sesquicentennial Park (2006) Ray G Gamma Dog Park (2007) Teen Center, Youth Soccer Park (2005) Other/Projects: Teen Center (2001- Joint Use) Mission City Center for Performing Arts (2007- Joint Use) Senior Center Renovated & Expanded (2007)
2010	116,468	297.14	Thomas Barrett Park (2013) Central Park Annex (2017) San Tomas & Monroe Neighborhood Park & Community Garden (opening August 2018) Other/Projects: See Status of current park projects Park Impact Fees (Housing Development) Facility Condition Assessment Report (2017- Kitchell) Bracher Park Playground (complete) Carli Park Playground (complete) - National Demonstration Site (Playcore) Bowers Park Playground (complete) Machado Park Playground (complete) Homeridge Park Playground (Complete) Reed & Grant Sports Complex (Complete) Central Park Master Plan (in process) Montague Park Playground (planning) Magical Bridge (Arbor) Playground at Central Park (planning) Central Park North(planning) International Swim Center & Community Recreation Center Project (planning)
2020