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Parks and Recreation FAQ
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- The Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival is annual local favorite that has been going on for over 40 years. The festival will feature artists and craft vendors, Kids Activities, delicious food favorites, fine wine, live entertainment on two stages, ice-cold beer and more! Proceeds benefit local charities.
- Please visit our Parks Special Events page and the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival page.
For information on all City events, please check out the City's calendar page. - To learn about more about current park projects, please visit our Park Projects page.
- Federal Tax ID #: 94-6000-426
State Tax ID #: 800-3864-9 - No, the City is not closing any parks due to drought.
The Parks & Recreation Department receives its water from the City of Santa Clara Water Utility, both potable and recycled. The City Water System’s sources include local underground aquifer from 27 City wells (62%), imported supply from two wholesale water suppliers (25%), and recycled water from the San Jose/ Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant for irrigation purposes. This third source makes up about 13% of the water used citywide and a significant portion of the water used by the City Parks system (about 60% city wide). Recycled water offsets the use of potable water and helps conserve our potable water for drinking and household uses.
In addition, the Parks & Recreation Department has instituted best practices for water conservation regardless of source (potable or recycled) by irrigating at night, reducing water consumption by reducing time of flow on our clocks, and/or turning off unnecessary valves to established vegetation, using mulch to conserve soil moisture, and planting native drought tolerant plants when/where appropriate. The department also rebuilds valves in showers and restrooms to reduce the likelihood of water waste, and has installed low flow devices for sinks and toilets. The City will periodically review it's practices to be sure we are adjusting to any recommended changes, best practices, or new policy mandates. The recent public opinion research telephone survey was conducted by Strategic Research Associates on behalf of Parks & Recreation Department to provide statistical feedback from residents related to questions about the International Swim Center-International Swimming Hall of Fame, the New Housing Development Impact Fee Ordinance, and the Youth Sports Complex feasibility study, as well as other demographic and park system questions.
Click here for more information.
Additional synopsis of results and graphic summary available here.
- The City of Santa Clara Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center (YAC) is available for use by the City of Santa Clara, Santa Clara Unified School District, other public/government agencies, and youth organizations. For information on facility rentals, visit our Rentals page.
Yes, we offer volunteer opportunities for teens and adults. For volunteer opportunities for those over 18, visit our volunteer webpage. For volunteer opportunities for teens 13 to 17, visit our Community Service Opportunities for Teens webpage.
Contact the Community Recreation Center at 408-615-3140 or PRCustomerServe@SantaClaraCA.gov for more information.
Your summer will be packed from beginning to end with outrageous fun, sports, weekly field trips, excursions to Warburton Pool, and sports-related arts & crafts projects!
Sports Camps– Co-ed, ages 5-13 years
- Sport Adventure Camp is for participants 5 – 7 years
- Sports Jam Camp is for participants 8 – 10 years
- Sport Escape Camp is for participants 11- 13 years
- Registration is by the week. You can register for all weeks of camp or just the weeks that fit your needs. Pre-registration is encouraged, as camps fill up quickly.
- Sports Camp hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Morning care: 7:30 am – 9 am (pre-registration required)
- Free After Camp Care*: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Friday
- Unless otherwise specified, campers bring their lunch each day.
- Campers are given a newsletter at the end of the first day. The newsletter lists what the camp will be doing each day that week.
- Weekly activities include a swim day and a field trip.
- Registration fees include supervision, field trip admission, bus transportation, and a camp t-shirt.
*After camp program is also open for drop in for participants with Resident Youth Cards.
During the summer, the Skate Park opens at 1:00 pm.
For more information on sports classes, check out the current Recreation Activity Guide.
Kids Rock, K - 5th grades - Santa Clara kids in elementary school are rocking all night long! Held on select Friday nights from 6-8:30 p.m., each Kids Rock has a different theme and is packed full of games and fun activities. A light snack is included each night. Entrance into Kids Rock is $12 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required. Kids Rock is held during the school year.
Contact the Youth & Teen Center at 408-615-3760 or YTC@SantaClaraCA.gov for more information. Check the City Calendar for more special events.
The following youth basketball programs are offered at the YAC.
Little Dunkers - co-ed, ages 3.5-4 years
This class is designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of basketball.Saturday Basketball Program - co-ed, ages 5-11 years
This program is designed to introduce the fundamentals of basketball. Held in January and February, these 3-week programs emphasize skill acquisition, teamwork, sportsmanship, and FUN! Each week consists of fundamental drills and a game.Gametime Basketball – co-ed, ages 7-18 years
Gametime Basketball is dedicated to redefining the standards; to build self-confidence, perseverance, enthusiasm, teamwork, and fun!BMGBall Skills Academy - co-ed, ages 7-14 years
BMGBall Skills Academy is designed to help improve offensive ability and understanding.For more information on class times, days, and locations, please check out the latest Recreation Activity Guide.
The Skate Park is open to Santa Clara residents. Santa Clara Resident Youth Card or CA driver’s license required for access. Non-residents are allowed to use the park as guests. All skaters must submit a signed liability form and provide emergency contacts. There is no cost to use the Skate Park. Maximum capacity of the Skate Park is 75 people.
To skate you must:
• Be a City of Santa Clara resident of all ages. A valid photo ID, such as a resident youth card or drivers license, is required.
• Complete a Participant Information Form.
• Be supervised by an adult if you are under 5 years of age.
• Be a skateboarder or inline skater.
• Wear protective equipment: helmet, kneepads, and elbow pads. Inline skaters must also wear wrist guards.
• Wear a shirt and shoes.
Not allowed:
• Bicycles, scooters
• Food, gum, or drinks
• Smoking
• Graffiti or littering (SCMC 18-10)
• Possession of aerosol paint; misdemeanor (COC 5941 (d))
• Amplified music (SCMS 18-10)
• Alcoholic beverages (SCMC 18-9)
• Pets (SCMC 415)
The park is staffed by City employees. Failure to obey rules and regulations may result in ejection from Skate Park (SCMC 1394, 18-10).For Skate Park hours, see the YAC Calendar.
Community Recreation Center Office Hours
- Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Contact: 408-615-3140 or PRCustomerServe@SantaClaraCA.gov
Reed & Grant Sports Park Office Hours
- Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Contact: 408-615-2265 or ReedandGrant@SantaClaraCA.gov
Senior Center Office Hours
- Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Contact: 408-615-3170 or CustServeSRCenter@SantaClaraCA.gov
Youth & Teen Center Office Hours
- Monday–Friday: 1-6 p.m.
- Contact: 408-615-3760 or YTC@SantaClaraCA.gov
Hours are subject to change.
The YAC's daily after school program offers a wide variety of FREE sports related activities, homework area, and computer lab for elementary and middle school age students.
Homework Room & Computer Lab - Open during the after-school program, the homework room is a quiet area where kids can get a head start on their homework. Participants can get help with their homework in the Homework Room. Textbooks from elementary and middle schools are available for kids to use, and can be checked out with their YAC card. The computer lab features 10 workstations with Microsoft Office program and internet access.
Organized Sports & Games - Organized Sports & Games are planned each week, Monday through Friday. A variety of recreation from high energy games to more passive activities is offered.
Open Gym - Open Gym is available to resident youth, in grades K through 12th, and their parents. Parents must sign a release of liability form to participate in Open Gym.The Youth & Teen Center After School Program is included in the cost of the Resident Youth Card. Participants must register at the beginning of each school year. A Resident Youth Card is issued to each participant and is used to check in and out of programs.
Purchase a Resident Youth Card for $30 online using our registration portal.
- The YAC’s After School Program is open to City of Santa Clara resident youth in grades K through 8th. Eighth graders are also allowed to participate in the Teen Center’s After School Program. A Resident Youth Card is required to participate in programs at the YAC, Teen Center, and Skate Park. Open Gym is available to participants in all grades and their parents.
A Santa Clara resident youth is defined as:
- Youth who attend an elementary, middle, or high school in the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD); or,
- Youth who attend an elementary, middle, or high school NOT in the SCUSD, but reside in the City of Santa Clara or within the SCUSD boundaries; or,
- Youth who attend an elementary, middle, or high school and whose parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent reside in the City of Santa Clara or SCUSD boundaries, or own property in the City of Santa Clara.
- The Walter E. Schmidt Youth Activity Center (YAC) offers various recreation programs for Santa Clara youth: classes, After School Program , Open Gym, Sports Camps , skate park , and special events. A Resident Youth Card is required to participate in the after school program and skate park.
To Request Police Department Public Records not available Online
- Crime Reports (e.g. crime report, domestic violence, arrest report, calls for service, etc.), submit a request via the Police Public Records Request Online Portal
- Vehicle Accident Reports can be obtained online, in-person, via fax, U.S. Mail or through a third-party vendor. Complete details are available online
- For any Police records not included above, submit a request via the Police Public Records Request Online Portal
- For Public Records Requests from other City Departments or access archives of requests received, learn more online
For inquiries, contact the Records Unit at 408-615-4700 or via email at records@santaclaraca.gov
- No pets please, except registered guide dogs. For the safety and comfort of your pets and festival attendees, please leave your pets at home.
- Each day offers a variety of continuous entertainment on two stages located throughout Central Park. Talented community groups will perform on the Community Stage at Kids Kingdom. Enjoy watching dancers, martial artists, and more talented groups. In the Pavilion on the SVP Stage, eight bands will be performing a wide range of jazz, classic rock, pop, salsa, 80's, dance music and funk.
- Masks are currently not required. Our goal is to provide a safe and clean environment for our attendees, vendors, and volunteers. Current State and County Public Health Department Orders and guidance will be followed.
Within a week, the Garden Coordinator, Derek, will send you an email confirming receipt of the application (give them back the stapled checklist). On August 1st, we will be selecting Garden Members through a lottery process. If you are selected or placed on a waitlist, you will receive an email with your status on August 3rd. If accepted, you will pay your deposit and fees at your orientation.
Annual Use Fees (subject to change)
Santa Clara Resident - $75/year ($50 Deposit)
Senior Citizen/ADA Resident - $50/year ($50 Deposit)
Large Group Bed - $170/year ($100 Deposit)
- There is no entrance fee for the Festival.
- Come hungry! Community groups will cook up festival favorites such as tacos, tri tip, BBQ plates, samosas and more! For those with a sweet tooth, don't miss the funnel cakes, cookie turtle sundaes and kettle corn. Food will be offered on Food Alley and in Kids Kingdom.
The Santa Clara Rotary Foundation will be offering a variety of drinks both days. Enjoy local wine and ice-cold beer from the Meadow Garden or the Wine & Beer Booth located near the SVP Main Stage. Any Santa Clara based private group (i.e. a group of friends, boy/girl scouts, etc); Any Santa Clara based business or organization. Apply as normal and add your Group Name at the top. The Garden Coordinator will contact you to work out the details.
Any Santa Clara based private group (i.e. a group of friends, boy/girl scouts, etc.) or any Santa Clara based business or organization (restaurants, corporations, or non-profits) that would like to share a garden bed for the purposes of growing food and team building an bonding. Groups should have a clear objective for renting a bed and are expected to garden together. The Garden Coordinator will guide your group on how to use the bed to fulfill your group goals.
- Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Artists will be located on the Pavilion side of Central Park and Junior Artists will be located in the Meadow area.
Visit www.SantaClaraCA.gov/CommunityGarden for updates or call Derek Bryant, Garden Coordinator, at (408) 615-3743 for more information.
- Santa Clara Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara CA 95051 (between Homestead and Benton).
- Free parking is available in several locations surrounding Central Park, including on Patricia Drive. Paid parking is available adjacent to the Festival Area on the Bob Fatjo Softball field. Limited ADA parking for vehicles displaying a disabled placard is available in public lots, or on Patricia Drive.
Anyone who is a Santa Clara resident. They do not have to live with you (in this case you will be sharing the bed). You will not have to verify their residence (just check the box on the application, or ask for clarity). Primary and Secondary Garden members will each get a key. You do not have to choose a secondary garden member. Non-residents are only eligible if the Primary Garden Member is disabled.
- The City Manager's Office Communication Team, Michelle Templeton at MTempleton@SantaClaraCA.gov and David Knight at DKnight@SantaClaraCA.gov.
- The Community Recreation Center at 408-615-3140 or PRCustomerServe@SantaClaraCA.gov
To fit the City’s sustainability goals, the following Santa Clara residents will get priority. The more categories you fit, the more likely you will become a member. It is NOT first-come-first –serve. We encourage ALL Santa Clara residents, private groups, and organizations to apply.
- City of Santa Clara Residents living within a half mile radius of Park
- City of Santa Clara Residents who receive Cal Fresh (WICC, SNAP) benefits
- City of Santa Clara Residents with children in SCUSD boundaries and Residents aged 55 and up
- All other City Residents over 18
Since this is a brand new program for the City, the lawyers (CAO), and Parks Commission are reviewing and editing it constantly. The documents you have now are very close to the final official documents and we do not anticipate any major changes.