DURATION
2-4 hoursWHERE
This area of the park is located between Coleman Ave. and HW 87 just South of the Mineta San Jose International Airport and HW 880. For parking, please use 412 Seymour Street, or refer to the directions to the Seymour Street Parking Lot below.
WHEN
Workdays are the first Saturday of the month from 8:30-11:30am (rain cancels).
WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED
Class, scout troop, or other group of like-minded kids (assumes an adult is also involved in the facilitation, but activity is geared toward group involvement and can be primarily executed by the children involved)
HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Fruit harvested from the Historic Orchard is donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Your work will also help preserve our community’s history.
DESCRIPTION
The Historic Orchard is a 3.3-acre site, planted in 1994, located in Guadalupe Gardens just south of Taylor Street and adjacent to the River Park trails. The orchard contains over 200 fruit trees: cherries, apricots, prunes, apples, and more, that were grown in the Valley over the last century. It is maintained by dedicated volunteers who believe in preserving our community’s history. A map of the orchard shows what kinds of trees grow where.
It is a living example of an earlier lifestyle and the economy that once drove the Santa Clara Valley. In the 1930s and ’40s almost everyone who lived here was engaged in the business of fruit production: growing, picking, packing, canning, selling, or otherwise supporting the industry. Today, with very few orchards remaining, this is a place where adults and children can come to experience a piece of local history.
Fruit harvested from the Historic Orchard is donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
ITEMS NEEDED
A good attitude and ready to have some fun.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Volunteers will need to fill out a Volunteer Service Agreement, and minors will need it signed by a parent or guardian. Minors 15 and under must be accompanied by an active parent, guardian, or teacher at a 1:10 ratio.
NEXT STEPS
For more information, please email Ricky Davis at ricky@grpg.org.
WEBSITE
1. Sign up at http://www.grpg.org/volunteer/
2. Show up and have fun!