2025 e-Newsletters

December 12th, Round-Up

Happy Holidays from the GRPC Team: The GRPC team recently gathered to compete in a gingerbread house building contest.
Upcoming Events & Programs: Join us for the Guadalupe River Trail Tree Planting, San Jose Transit Bowl & Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Best of Silicon Valley 2025: The Guadalupe River Trail and the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens recently placed in Silver under the category of Best Bike Ride!
Seasonal Sightings: Starting Artists and ArtHouse Studio put on a spectacular Inaugural Concert at the New Pavilion & Monarch caterpillars pupating
Volunteering at Your River Park: Join us for one of our recurring workdays or bring your corporate group for a team-building day!
Collaborator Corner: A Beautiful Noise from Broadway San Jose, Winter Wonderland x Culture Night Market, & NIRVANA SOUL: Open Mic Nights

November 30, Round-Up

Support Your River Park this Giving Tuesday: Your generosity fuels the projects and programs that keep our green spaces healthy, accessible, and thriving.
2025 By the Numbers: Check out our report to learn more about the impact your support has had on your River Park.
Nature Sightings: NBC video shows migrating salmon in the Los Gatos Creek in Campbell and Monarch caterpillars have been spotted at our Visitor Center!
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers: Your dedication, compassion, and willingness to give your time make a meaningful difference in our community every single day.
Events & Programs: Join us for the San Jose Transit Bowl & Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Collaborator Corner: WORLD CUP 2026 DRAW: VIEWING PARTY, Winter Wonderland x Culture Night Market, & NIRVANA SOUL: Open Mic Nights

November 13th Round-Up

Seasonal River Park Updates: Look out for Holiday and weather closures to the Visitor Center, PlayGarden, & programs, The last Beginning Environmental Explorers (BEE) session of the season before our hybernation, Post Atmospheric River Trail Tips, Holiday Food Drive, Veterans Day in the River Park, and Reimagining the Civic Commons
Events & Programs: Animal Enounters, Horticulture Open Hours, Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Volunteering at the River Park: Join us for our recurring workdays at the Heritage Rose Garden and Historic Orchard. Or bring your corporate team for a day of teambuilding!
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul and Kinky Boots at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

October 31st Round-Up

Pumpkins in the Park: Check out photos from our annual Harvest Festival in downtown San Jose!
GRPC Team Building: The team took to Winchester Mystery House for a team-bonding experience.
River Park Updates: The Momotaro statue, gifted to San José by our sister city of Okayama, Japan, was recently stolen.
Events & Programs: Zumba and Yoga in the Park, Animal Encounters at the PlayGarden & the Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Volunteering: Join us for Horticulture Open Hours, with Jay, the GRPC Horticulturalist.
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul – perform your music, poetry, and comedy, or just stop by to grab a coffee and listen to our local talent.

September 30th Round-Up

Celebrating 10 Years of Inclusive Play: Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Rotary PlayGarden’s 10th Anniversary! We were honored to celebrate this milestone and to reflect on the incredible impact this space has had over the past decade.
PlayGarden Hours Updates: Early Closure: Friday October 3rd (open 10:00am – 3:00pm) & Winter Hours: Start Thursday, Oct 9th (open 10:00am – 4:00pm)
PlayGarden Team Spotlight: Ash Namdar “I am a San Jose native who has been leading operations at the Rotary PlayGarden for the past seven years! The inclusive nature of the PlayGarden makes it very near and dear to me. My niece, who has Trisomy 21 (also known as Down Syndrome) loves to frequently visit! Because of this, I found out about my job’s opening. It is one of my favorite places to be!”
Animal Encounters are back! Come learn and have a closer encounter with our animals in the visitor center. This 1hr session will be lead by our Guadalupe Guide – not only are they knowledgeable, we think they’re pretty cool too! Join us for this free program at the Rotary PlayGarden on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of October and November.
River Park Updates: GRPC staff joined Mayor Matt Mahan’s Office and District 6 Councilmember Michael Mulcahy’s Office for a press event highlighting increased trail usage at the Guadalupe River Park. Message from our Executive Director regarding a summer break-in and burglary.
Volunteering: Announcing – we are launching a Horticulture Open Hour! Join us in gardening and developing your skills in the outdoors. Learn and ask questions from a Certified Horticulturist and UC Master Gardener and Master Composter!
Events & Programs: Save the date for Pumpkins in the Park at Discovery Meadow, and join us for Zumba and Yoga at Arena Green!
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Broadway’s most fun hit musical, & JULIET, flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? PLUS Get 25% off* weekday performances of Some Like It Hot at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts!

August 30th Round-Up

A Look Into the Past: In 2015, the Rotary PlayGarden opened its gates for the very first time, and our community gathered to celebrate a dream come true: a place where children of all abilities could play side by side. We’re excited to share a video from that unforgettable day, filled with joy, laughter, and the magic of new beginnings.
Volunteer Spotlight: Brenda is a UC Berkeley student who joined us this summer to deepen her interest in plants. During her time with us, she contributed valuable time and care to the garden. We wish her the best as she returns to school!
September Community Trail Cleanup: In celebration of National Coastal Cleanup Day, join us for a trail cleanup at the Guadalupe River Park! This is a great family-friendly opportunity to enhance our community spaces and show some love to our planet.
Volunteering: ongoing volunteer opportunities and a special opportunity to Join Bay Area Older Adults for a Cleanup Day at the Guadalupe River
Events & Ongoing Programs: Zumba & Yoga in the Park, Pumpkins in the Park, and more!
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Broadway’s most fun hit musical, & JULIET, flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?

August 15th Round-Up

Zumba & Yoga in the Park: It’s not too late to join us for the last session of this pilot program!
Tactile Map Now Available: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Feel Your Way for their generous gift of a tactile map, celebrating Disability Pride Month in July. This thoughtful contribution enriches accessibility and inclusion, empowering our community to navigate the park with confidence.
Events and Programs: Rotary PlayGarden 10th Anniversary Celebration, Pumpkins in the Park, and community volunteer days
Corporate Workdays: Foster team bonding & make a positive impact on the environment!
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul

July 31st Round-Up

PRIDE in the River Park: Thank you to our partner Silicon Valley Pride for helping us host our 2nd Pride Block Party! This event reminds us that Pride is all year long, with amazing performances from drag kings and queens as well as a handful of queer musicians joining us out in the park!
Volunteering: ongoing volunteer opportunities and a special opportunity to Join Bay Area Older Adults for a Cleanup Day at the Guadalupe River
Events & Ongoing Programs: Join us at our community resource fair, Futsol Tournament, Zumba & Yoga in the Park.
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul

July 15th Round-Up

A Fond Farewell: After 12 incredible years of leadership, collaboration, and service, we bid a fond farewell to our Deputy Director, Joe Salvato.
Park Stewardship: We’re excited to be a participating site with the Youth Climate Corps, a new internship program SJCC launched this summer for high school students exploring careers in the environmental field.
Corporate Workdays: Corporate volunteering at the Guadalupe River Park provides a meaningful way to give back to the community and environment through hands-on project support that enhances park access, ecological health, and neighborhood connections.
Save the Date: Rotary PlayGarden 10th Anniversary Celebration on September 13th & Pumpkins in the Park Ocotber 11th
Events & Ongoing Programs: Futsol Tournament, Zumba & Yoga in the Park.
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Moulin Rouge! The Musical

June 27th Round-Up

In the News: The Heritage Rose Garden was recently featured in an article by the Mercury News about the collaboration between our partner The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Bay Area Older Adults to bring multisensory nature experiences to people of all ages, experience, and ability in Santa Clara County.
Learn & Explore: A Composting Basics Workshop taught by our very own Horticulturist and Master Composter, Jay Thompson.
Window on the River Park: We were able to raise over $140,000 towards our work in preserving, activating, and stewarding one of our region’s most treasured natural spaces.
Restore & Explore – Trail Cleanup: Because of your dedication and hard work, we removed 60 pounds of trash from the park, an amazing achievement that helps protect and preserve the natural beauty of this cherished community space.
Events & Ongoing Programs: PRIDE Block Party, Futsol Tournament, Zumba & Yoga in the Park.
Collaborator Corner: JRMF Math Festival at Saint Clare Parish Hall, Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Moulin Rouge! The Musical

May 29th Round-Up

Window on the River Park: Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection, entertainment, and impact!
Park Updates: We’re thrilled to celebrate the planting of 16 new trees — funded by Google and planted by BrightView!
Corporate Workdays: Foster team bonding & make a positive impact on the environment!
Events & Ongoing Programs: Create Your Own Lucky Kumade, Zumba & Yoga in the Park, Free Introduction to Worm Composting Workshop.
Collaborator Corner: JRMF Math Festival at Saint Clare Parish Hall, Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Moulin Rouge! The Musical

April 30th Round-Up

Mother’s Day: Celebrate your love by adopting a rose from the Heritage Rose Garden in their honor.
Window on the River Park: This year’s event promises fine dining, live music, inspiring stories, and exciting raffle prizes.
Earth Day Stewardship: With your help, 57 bags and 1,700 lbs of waste were collected in April!
Corporate Workdays: Whether you have 10 employees or 100, we are able to accommodate just about any sized group!
Events & Ongoing Programs: City Cup Futsal Tournament, San Jose State of the City, Zumba & Yoga in the Park
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & Moulin Rouge! The Musical

April 15th Round-Up

Earth Day: Volunteer day with the San Jose Downtown Association
Event Recap: Heritage Rose Garden 30th Anniversary event photos and recap
River Park Progress: Demolition of carousel and restrooms at Arena Green
State of the City: Join the after party of the State of the City Address
Events & Ongoing Programs: San Jose Giants fundraiser, City Cup Futsal Tournament, Zumba & Yoga in the Park
Collaborator Corner: The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & #WeCreate408, & Moulin Rouge! The Musical!

March 27th Round-Up

Celebrate with Us: 30th anniversary of the Heritage Rose Garden
Earth Day: Corporate & Community Volunteer Opportunities
Sponsor Call: Window on the River Park sponsorship opportunities
Volunteering: ongoing volunteer opportunities
Events & Ongoing Programs: Water Exploration Stations with Tej Acton Academy, Citrus Plant and Care with UC Master Gardeners, Children’s Introduction to Worm Composting
Collaborator Corner: Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul & #WeCreate408: Our creativity captures

March 14th Round-Up

Announcing: New Board members Lynn Lee & Jennifer Ford
Updates: Valley Water River Restoration Efforts
Events & Ongoing Programs: Introduction to Fruit Tree Grafting, Earth Day, San Jose Giants fundraiser
Collaborator Corner: The Cher Show with Broadway San Jose & Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul

February Round-Up

Announcing: Elizabeth Loretto as new Board President
Save the Date: Heritage Rose Garden Anniversary
Earth Day: Corporate & Community Volunteer Opportunities
Events & Ongoing Programs: Introduction to Fruit Tree Grafting, Beginner Environmental Explorers (BEE), & updated Rotary PlayGarden hours
Collaborator Corner: The Cher Show with Broadway San Jose & Open Mic Nights with Nirvana Soul

January Round-Up

In the News: Carl Salas to serve as San Jose District 3 councilmember
Save the Date: Heritage Rose Garden 30th Anniversary, Earth Day Volunteer Workdays, Window on the River Park, and Pumpkins in the Park
Get Involved: Monthly community volunteering opportunities
River Park Progress: Reimagining the Civic Commons: How U.S. cities are innovating in public space & Ranger Station Demolition: Uncovering a new landscape in downtown
End of Year Fundraiser Update: we have exceeded our end of year matching goal of $28,000!
Events & Ongoing Programs: Bare Root Tree Workshop, Composting Basics Workshop, BEE: Beginner Environmental Explorers