History of Emma Prusch Farm Park
Native San Josean Emma Prusch, bequeathed to the City of San Jose, 87 acres in 1962. The rich agricultural land was once a working dairy farm located in the heart of the Valley of Hearts Delight at he intersection of King and Story Roads. The park consists of the remaining 47 acres from the original gift.
The deed to the City specified that the City “will make said park a place of relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment for the people of the City of San Jose, and in such a manner as will, to extent that such can be reasonably done, give to said park a rural county character and atmosphere.”
In 1982, the Foundation, consisting of community volunteers, was created to aid the City in meeting those criteria. Agricultural displays and educational events are essential to meeting that commitment.
The original Prusch family farm house, along with other historical structures are located within the park, which has one of the largest free standing wooden barns in California. The barn is home to 4H large animals including beef cattle, sheep, and swine.
Emma Prusch Farm Park includes heritage, high density, and rare fruit orchards, a Plant Science Center, two community gardens, pollinator and butterfly gardens, as well as acres of lush green lawns for picnics and playing. The Park also has a Friendship Forest planted with trees from around the world. The Santa Clara Home Composting Program maintains a demonstration site here as well. And the small farm animal enclosure is home to many typical farm animals including chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Chickens, gunieas, ducks, geese, and peafowl roam the park at will.
The deed to the City specified that the City “will make said park a place of relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment for the people of the City of San Jose, and in such a manner as will, to extent that such can be reasonably done, give to said park a rural county character and atmosphere.”
In 1982, the Foundation, consisting of community volunteers, was created to aid the City in meeting those criteria. Agricultural displays and educational events are essential to meeting that commitment.
The original Prusch family farm house, along with other historical structures are located within the park, which has one of the largest free standing wooden barns in California. The barn is home to 4H large animals including beef cattle, sheep, and swine.
Emma Prusch Farm Park includes heritage, high density, and rare fruit orchards, a Plant Science Center, two community gardens, pollinator and butterfly gardens, as well as acres of lush green lawns for picnics and playing. The Park also has a Friendship Forest planted with trees from around the world. The Santa Clara Home Composting Program maintains a demonstration site here as well. And the small farm animal enclosure is home to many typical farm animals including chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Chickens, gunieas, ducks, geese, and peafowl roam the park at will.
