Stevens Creek Park celebrates 100 years
SAN JOSE – Today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recognized the 100th anniversary of Stevens Creek County Park. Located in the foothills between Saratoga and Cupertino, Stevens Creek County Park offers 1,063 acres of woodlands, meadows, and canyons, including an 87-acre reservoir, for hikers, bicyclists, picnickers, equestrians, and water recreationists to experience. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including deer, bobcats, coyotes, and various bird species.
“As the first and oldest park in our County, Stevens Creek is a beloved recreation and open space. It really showcases the area’s natural beauty,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who made the motion to commend the milestone.
One hundred years ago, on January 24, 1924, Santa Clara County acquired an initial 400 acres near Cupertino with the intent to establish a public park. The park, now known as Stevens Creek County Park, opened to the public later that year, making it the first County park and laying the foundation for the modern-day Santa Clara County Parks system.
In 1935, the Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District purchased 171.5 acres adjacent to the County’s land to develop a reservoir. The Stevens Creek dam was completed in 1936. Over the years, additional acreage and improvements have been made to Stevens Creek County Park so that visitors can enjoy archery, disc golf, boating, fishing, historic sites, horseshoe tossing, interpretive programs, picnicking, and trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and nature study.
“What’s great about Stevens Creek, and all our County Parks, is that they are always evolving to meet the recreational needs of current and future generations,” said Simitian.
To provide recreation for the County’s growing population, the Board established the Department of Parks and Recreation in 1956. The Department was tasked with developing a first-class system of parks and comprehensive recreational opportunities. The acquisition of new lands and expansion of the regional parks and trails network accelerated when Santa Clara County voters approved the Park Charter Fund in 1972, the funding from which has helped create one of the largest and most diverse regional park systems in California.
“Since the first purchase of 400 acres, the park system has grown in order to preserve and protect habitats, as well as provide recreational opportunities,” said Don Rocha, Director of Santa Clara County Parks. “Our parks provide lots of opportunities for our diverse community to connect with nature.”
Today, Santa Clara County Parks system preserves natural resources and provides recreational opportunities to residents at 28 park locations encompassing more than 52,000 acres.
View the video recognizing Stevens Creek County Park’s 100th anniversary.