Winter 2009
Santa Clara County Parks Adds Rancho San Vicente
Rancho San Vicente
- In just five short months, the natural wonderland of
south San Jose’s Rancho San Vicente has gone from
threatened landscape to permanently protected
parkland, thanks to POST’s acquisition of the property
this summer and now its transfer to Santa Clara
County Department of Parks.
- This fall, POST sold the 966-acre ranch at the
southern tip of Almaden Valley for inclusion in
adjoining Calero County Park. POST purchased the
property in June for $16 million and sold it to County
Parks for the same amount.
- Rancho San Vicente is a key link between
Almaden Quicksilver and Calero county parks, with
the potential to connect more than 31,000 acres of
surrounding open space and parkland. Prior to
POST’s purchase, the developers who owned Rancho
San Vicente hoped, at various times, to build up to 300
residential units, an 18-hole golf course and 16 large
private estates on the property. Under County Parks
ownership, the land will be preserved forever within
the protected greenbelt that rings Almaden Valley
and the South Bay. The land will help connect habitat
for migrating wildlife, preserve serpentine
soils for spectacular wildflower displays, and
eventually provide easy access for outdoor
recreation to residents of south San Jose
and beyond.
- County Parks is now in the process of
planning future public recreation on Rancho
San Vicente. Such access will take time to
develop, and the property is not yet open
to the public. POST donors who wish to
experience this classic California landscape
up close will be able to take advantage of
docent-led tours next spring led by POST
and County Parks staff. Stay tuned for more
information!
Egan Junior High Makes $1,000 Gift to POST . . .
