Happy Trails

The Authority contributed funds to the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council for the Gateway to Trails and Parks: Ridge Trail Interpretive, Wayfinding and Outings project at Berryessa BART Station. The project used the opening of the new Berryessa BART station to introduce and connect the public to the outstanding network of trails, parks, and open space in Santa Clara County. The Berryessa station includes a new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and connects directly to the Penitencia Creek Trail and other trails, offering access to many nearby parks and open spaces. This project promotes exciting new opportunities to combine transit and trails for recreation and transportation.

Saved By Nature engages people of all backgrounds and abilities through 3 types of nature education programs: a series of 19 nature walks, virtual and attended, for the general public, a month of in-person summer programs in collaboration with partners for the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley for children 3rd – 5th grades, and an immersive 2 days of outings followed by an overnight camping experience for teens. We will mentor and elevate other organizations through this program.

The Authority grant funded the San Jose State University Research Foundation's project, a signature CommUniverCity program, that aims to create a self-sustaining food system for low-income communities in Central San Jose where each child has opportunities to garden at a school garden or urban farm in their neighborhood. The program increases awareness of the importance of eating healthy, fresh foods, and promotes environmental stewardship among low-income children and their families.