Martial Cottle Park
In the heart of suburban San Jose is a 287-acre property owned by Santa Clara County and the State of California that is on its way to becoming a historic agricultural park. In 2006 the OSA Board of Directors approved $450,000 to assist with initial planning and the development of active agriculture or community gardens. Public recreation facilities at the park will include trails and picnic sites.

The land, which has been cultivated since 1864 by four generations of the Cottle and Lester families, will focus on displaying the farming heritage of the county. It was Ethel Cottle who first envisioned preserving the land for public use. The park will be named after her father, Martial Cottle, who inherited the property in 1868 and used it to raise cattle, grain and row crops.

More information on Santa Clara County’s park and recreation facilities.