REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month
Report
BACKGROUND
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been celebrating Park and Recreation Month in July since 1985, promoting building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation, and recognizing the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers, who maintain our country’s local, state, and community parks.
Each July, the City of Santa Clara celebrates park and recreation professionals and how they improve the lives of tens of millions of people, making a lasting impact in communities across the country. Park and recreation programs are essential to community health and well-being and help cultivate lifelong friendships, memories, and family bonds that people hold dear decades later.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for the design, development, operations, and maintenance of over 350 acres of regional, community, neighborhood and mini parks, open space, community centers, recreation and aquatics facilities, joint use facilities and athletic fields.
Parks and recreation is integral to communities throughout the country promoting the physical, social, emotional and cognitive health and wellness of the community. These programs, services, events, and facilities enrich the lives of Santa Clara residents. Furthermore, visitors may contribute to the community’s economic prosperity through expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction.
Proclaiming July as Park and Recreation Month is an opportunity for the City Council to officially acknowledge the importance of parks and recreation and the benefits it provides to the people we serve. NRPA’s 2025 theme, “Build Together, Play Together," reinforces several initiatives the Parks & Recreation Department is leading to develop and maintain sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations.
Residents are encouraged to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month by:
• Participating in the Parks Master Plan survey
• Providing input on the new 4.2-acre community park at the southern end of the Santa Clara Park development near the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail
• Sharing your Garden Harvest at the Second Sunday Garden Share on July 13 at Eddie Souza Park & Garden
• Grabbing some friends and tickets to see Roberta Jones Junior Theaters rendition of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. July 15-17
• Joining us for Sunset Cinema on July 18 with The Wild Robot in Central Park
• Dancing the night away at a Summer Concert in Central Park on July 11 (SONA) or July 25 (Orquesta Borinquen)
• Enjoying music and activities at To the Bridge Music Hour on July 26 at Magical Bridge Playground
• Registering for a high-quality program - from art to yoga
• Cooling off at Recreation Swim at Warburton Pool or Mary Gomez Swim Center
• Picnicking in your local park or visit our newest park - Gateway Crossings on the 1200 block of Coleman Avenue
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the city other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated between the City Attorney’s Office and Parks & Recreation Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Prepared by: Carolyn McDowell, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Damon Sparacino, Parks & Recreation Department Director
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Klotz, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation