100 signatures reached
To: San Jose Mayor, Matt Mahan, San Jose City Manager, Jennifer Maguire and City Counsel of San Jose.
Stop Eviction of Prusch Farm Park & Investigate SJ Parks Dept
We, the residents of San Jose and collective owners of Emma Prusch Farm Park, hereby petition the City Council regarding urgent matters concerning our public trust:
1. We demand an immediate halt to the eviction proceedings against the Prusch Farm Park Foundation from Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San Jose.
2. We call for a thorough and transparent investigation into:
• The San Jose Department of Parks and Recreation’s financial management
• Suspected misappropriation of funds
• The circumstances leading to the eviction order
• All decisions affecting the park’s operations and management
1. We demand implementation of:
• Strict oversight measures for the Parks and Recreation Department’s involvement with the Prusch Farm Park Foundation
• Regular public audits and financial reporting
• Enhanced transparency in all decision-making processes
• Clear accountability protocols
1. We require:
• Full public disclosure of the investigation’s findings
• Regular updates on the progress of the investigation
• Swift and appropriate legal action if any misappropriation or misconduct is discovered
• Protection of public interests in accordance with Emma Prusch’s original gift to the people of San Jose
As beneficiaries of this public trust, we assert our right to ensure proper stewardship of this historic property for current and future generations of San Jose residents.
1. We demand an immediate halt to the eviction proceedings against the Prusch Farm Park Foundation from Emma Prusch Farm Park in East San Jose.
2. We call for a thorough and transparent investigation into:
• The San Jose Department of Parks and Recreation’s financial management
• Suspected misappropriation of funds
• The circumstances leading to the eviction order
• All decisions affecting the park’s operations and management
1. We demand implementation of:
• Strict oversight measures for the Parks and Recreation Department’s involvement with the Prusch Farm Park Foundation
• Regular public audits and financial reporting
• Enhanced transparency in all decision-making processes
• Clear accountability protocols
1. We require:
• Full public disclosure of the investigation’s findings
• Regular updates on the progress of the investigation
• Swift and appropriate legal action if any misappropriation or misconduct is discovered
• Protection of public interests in accordance with Emma Prusch’s original gift to the people of San Jose
As beneficiaries of this public trust, we assert our right to ensure proper stewardship of this historic property for current and future generations of San Jose residents.
Why is this important?
Emma Prusch Farm Park stands as a living testament to San Jose’s agricultural heritage and serves as an irreplaceable community treasure. When Emma Prusch gifted this land to the people of San Jose in 1962, she entrusted us with preserving a piece of Santa Clara Valley’s farming legacy amid our rapidly urbanizing landscape. Her vision continues to enrich our community in countless ways.
This park is far more than just open space - it’s a vital educational hub where urban children discover the wonders of agriculture through hands-on experiences. The park houses San Jose’s largest 4-H barn, providing unique opportunities for city youth to learn farming skills that are increasingly rare in our digital age. Through its community gardens and rare fruit orchards, the park connects diverse groups of residents, fostering cultural exchange and community bonds through shared cultivation of the land.
Veggielution Community Farm, operating within the park, plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by providing fresh produce and educational programs to low-income families. This partnership exemplifies how the park continues to serve its intended purpose of benefiting all San Jose residents, regardless of their background.
The park’s programs and facilities offer irreplaceable opportunities for environmental education, agricultural preservation, and community engagement. In our rapidly developing city, Emma Prusch Farm Park remains one of the last connections to the agricultural heritage that once earned our valley the nickname ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight.’ Protecting this legacy and ensuring its proper management isn’t just about preserving the past - it’s about securing these vital resources for future generations of San Jose residents
This park is far more than just open space - it’s a vital educational hub where urban children discover the wonders of agriculture through hands-on experiences. The park houses San Jose’s largest 4-H barn, providing unique opportunities for city youth to learn farming skills that are increasingly rare in our digital age. Through its community gardens and rare fruit orchards, the park connects diverse groups of residents, fostering cultural exchange and community bonds through shared cultivation of the land.
Veggielution Community Farm, operating within the park, plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by providing fresh produce and educational programs to low-income families. This partnership exemplifies how the park continues to serve its intended purpose of benefiting all San Jose residents, regardless of their background.
The park’s programs and facilities offer irreplaceable opportunities for environmental education, agricultural preservation, and community engagement. In our rapidly developing city, Emma Prusch Farm Park remains one of the last connections to the agricultural heritage that once earned our valley the nickname ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight.’ Protecting this legacy and ensuring its proper management isn’t just about preserving the past - it’s about securing these vital resources for future generations of San Jose residents