Attractive and Safe Neighborhoods

By Rudy J Rodriguez

Plan for more city parks and greenways.

Rudy Rodriguez

Rudy's Plan for More City Parks and Greenways: For too long, we have neglected to build neighborhood parks where kids can safely play. We must dramatically increase the numbers of trees, parks and open spaces in District 7. Rudy's goal would be to ensure walking access to parks for everyone in San Jose.

Building Parks for District 7: We all know that parks dramatically improve the quality of life of a neighborhood. Our district needs many more large and small parks. Ideally we should have small parks and open space areas no more than a 1-mile walk away for anyone in the city. In addition to recreation, these new parks can be used as neighborhood hubs for town hall meetings, farmer's markets, and other community events.

The building of new parks can benefit many neighborhoods in another important way - it can be a way to rid them of blighted and abandoned properties. We must look to develop these new parks in partnerships with community-based organizations. In addition new development should include functional open space whenever possible, and public facilities should include additional open space for public use.

As your councilmember I will:

Use Surplus City Property: Create more neighborhood parks and community gardens using small, vacant lots from the district's surplus properties. Pursue Open Space

Funding: Aggressively pursue park and open space funding from State Propositions 40 and 50, and other sources. Expand Shared Use: Identify and implement opportunities for shared use of school playgrounds and parks. Work with Land Trusts: Acquire new open space by working with neighborhood land trusts and other non-profits.