Emma Prusch Farm Park
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Emma Prusch Farm Park
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| image = EmmaPruschFarmhouse.jpg
| caption = Preserved farm house at the park
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| location = 647 S King Road, San Jose, CA 95116
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| governing_body = Emma Prusch Farm Park Foundation, 501c3
City of San Jose Parks & Recreation Dept.
| owner = City of San Jose
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Emma Prusch Farm Park is a 43.5 acre (176,000 m2) park in East San Jose, California. Donated by Emma Prusch to the City of San Jose in 1962 to use to demonstrate the valley's agricultural past, it includes a 4-H barn (the largest in San Jose), community gardens, a rare-fruit orchard, demonstration gardens, picnic areas, and expanses of lawn. The park is host to an annual Harvest Festival and is operated cooperatively by the San Jose Parks and Recreation Department and the non-profit Emma Prusch Farm Park Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/regionalparks/pfp/ |title=Emma Prusch Farm Park |publisher=City of San Jose |work=Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310065030/http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/regionalparks/pfp/ |archive-date=2005-03-10 |access-date=November 9, 2013}}
History
The land for this {{convert|42|acre|sing=on}} farm park was donated by Emma Prusch to the City of San Jose{{cite web | url = http://www.sjparks.org/Parks/RegionalParks/pfp/index.asp | title = San Jose Dept. of Parks and Recreation page}} in 1962 to keep for agricultural purposes, and provides an introduction to farm life.{{cite web|url=http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/index.htm |title=Friends Prusch Farm Park |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723183801/http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/index.htm |archive-date=2008-07-23 }} The park is operated as a small farm by the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services. Barn space is provided to city kids in the 4-H and Future Farmers of America so they can experience farming practices in an urban environment. The farm also has a rare fruit orchard, a deciduous fruit orchard and two community gardens, and a {{convert|6|acre|m2|adj=on}} urban farming project called [http://www.veggielution.org/ Veggielution]. In the spring, the park offers guided tours for K–3 school groups. These tours provide a sensory education emphasis while students learn about gardens, fruit orchard, poultry and livestock.
Features
- Preserved Prusch farmhouse
- San Jose's largest free standing barn is run by City of San Jose staff. Livestock varies by season with kids in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America raising animals in the middle of the city.
- Small animal yard where children can see farm animals up close.
- California Rare Fruit Growers Orchard is a large cooperative project with the California Rare Fruit Growers Association, consisting of over 125 rare and exotic fruit trees including bananas, citrus, and other sub-tropicals. New signage will allow visitors to identify each tree while on a self-guided tour.
- Several acres of open grass perfect for picnicking, kite flying, games and relaxing
- 5 reservable group [http://www.sjparks.org/regional/emmaprusch.asp picnic] areas, outdoor [http://www.sjparks.org/weddinginfo.asp Wedding Barn], and a rental [http://www.sjparks.org/regional/emmaprusch.asp Meeting Hall] community room with kitchen.
- [http://www.veggielution.org/ Veggielution Community Farm]; On a little over {{convert|6|acre|m2|adj=on}} Veggielution empowers youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to create a sustainable food system in San Jose.
- The first Saturday in October is the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100827041810/http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/harvest-festival/ Harvest Festival]; an annual fair with multicultural dancing, a hay wagon ride, 4H animal expo, fresh pressed apple cider, plant sales, and other family friendly activities. Entrance is free.
Photo gallery
File:Emma Prusch Farm Park Playground.jpg |Playground and picnic area with view of mountains
File:Emma Prusch Farm Park 4-H Barn Exterior.jpg|4-H barn exterior
File:Emma Prusch Farm Park 4-H Barn Interior.jpg|4-H barn interior
File:Emma Prusch & Her Park.jpg|Information sign at Emma's home
File:Emma Prusch Farm Park Home and Gardens.jpg|Gardens in front of Emma's home
File:Emma Prusch Farm Park people on lawn.jpg|People on a park lawn with mountains in background
References
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External links
- [http://www.pruschfarmpark.org/ Emma Prusch Farm Park website]
- [http://www.crfg.org/ California Rare Fruit Growers Association]
- [http://www.4-h.org/ National 4-H Club of America]
- [http://www.ffa.org/ Future Farmers of America]
- [http://www.veggielution.org/ Veggielution Community Farm]
{{coord|37|20|25|N|121|50|45|W |type:landmark_region:US-CA |display=title}}
{{Parks and Public Spaces of San Jose}}
{{San Jose and Silicon Valley attractions}}
Category:Parks in San Jose, California
Category:Protected areas established in 1962