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Home My WebLink About2015 Summer SaratoganSAR ATOGAN the Summer 2015 The health beneﬁ ts of being outside are almost endless. Beyond the physical beneﬁ ts, recent studies have shown that taking a walk, run, or bike ride outdoors can improve a person’s focus, and lower stress levels and feelings of depression. And what better place to be outside than in Saratoga? Saratoga boasts a number of parks with varying amenities: tennis, volleyball and bocce ball courts, children’s play areas, exercise areas, and picnic areas (there’s much more about the City’s parks on the next page). The City is also home to numerous trails. There’s Joe’s Trail at Saratoga DeAnza and the 4.5-mile Heritage Loop Trail that creates a triangle from Saratoga Avenue to Fruitvale Avenue to a walking path along Highway 9. Many of these trails connect to local open space areas. For more information on Saratoga’s trails, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/trails. Saratoga’s trails have been the focus of the Parks and Recreation Commission’s “Let’s Walk Saratoga!” events. These tours have allowed residents to come together and learn more about the beautiful city they live in. This year’s program features guided tours of the future Saratoga Quarry Park. Find out about the next event at www.saratoga.ca.us/letswalk. Get Outside One of the most unique places to visit in Saratoga is Hakone Gardens, the City’s century-old Japanese gardens. Guests can view the koi pond, ascend the moon bridge, have tea overlooking the dry landscape garden, or enjoy quiet reﬂ ection in Hakone’s bamboo gardens. Hakone is also in need of volunteers. Opportunities include answering calls and questions, welcoming guests, and opening the gate for guests with wheelchairs and strollers. For more information, visit www.hakone.com. In This Issue Visit and Volunteer at Hakone Gardens This issue of the City of Saratoga’s quarterly newsletter focuses on the beneﬁ ts of being outside. Saratoga has plenty of beautiful areas for those looking to get a little more Vitamin D, exercise, or time away from their computers. Residents will also be introduced to new Community Development Director Erwin Ordoñez and new Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce Captain Rick Sung. Also learn about LinkAges TimeBank, a program that brings community members together to help each other. Read about upcoming community events and how to be prepared for an earthquake. Happy reading! Parks Where are the City of Saratoga’s parks and what do they have to offer? Saratoga has a number of neighborhood parks available for the community’s enjoyment. Amenities include picnic areas, tennis courts, and children’s play areas. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/parks. Azule ParkLocation: 12277 Goleta AvenueThis 4.3-acre park features two playground areas, three picnic areas with barbecue pits, a horseshoe pit, and a tennis court. Beauchamps ParkLocation: Beauchamps LaneThe 2.2-acre neighborhood park sports a tennis court, half basketball court, and two children’s play areas. Brookglen ParkLocation: 12734 Brookglen CourtThe City’s second smallest park at .7 acres offers a children’s play area and a half basketball court. Congress Springs ParkLocation: 12970 Glen Brae DriveThe nearly 10-acre park is home to many sports user groups. Congress Springs boasts six soccer ﬁ elds, six baseball diamonds, two children’s play areas, and picnic areas with barbecues. El Quito ParkLocation: 12855 Paseo PresadaEl Quito’s 6.3 acres features a softball ﬁ eld, a children’s play area, four barbecue picnic areas, three horseshoe pits, two chess tables, and a sand volleyball court. Foothill ParkLocation: 20654 Seaton AvenueThis 3-acre park includes two exercise areas and a large open turf area. Saratoga Quarry Park In October, the City will open up the Saratoga Quarry Park to the public. The 64-acre site—located about a mile west of the Saratoga Village off of Highway 9—will have a trail, picnic area, restrooms, and on-site parking. Gardiner ParkLocation: 19085 Portos DriveGardiner is a 1.3-acre neighborhood park that offers two children’s play areas and a three-table picnic area with barbecue. Kevin Moran ParkLocation: 12415 Scully AvenueThe beautiful 10.3-acre park includes two children’s play areas, two bocce ball courts, a tennis court, an exercise area, and a meditation garden. Ravenwood ParkLocation: 13830 Ravenwood DriveThe City’s smallest park at half an acre features park benches, a drinking fountain and a small-tot play area. Wildwood ParkLocation: 20764 Fourth StreetThe 4-acre Wildwood Park is arguably the City’s most unique park with a wooded creek bed running through it. The park offers picnic facilities, a children’s play area, a sand volleyball court, two horseshoe pits, and a stage. Erwin Ordoñez Rick Sung Erwin Ordoñez is the City of Saratoga’s new Community Development Director. As the City’s Community Development Director, Ordoñez oversees City planning, building permits and inspections, code enforcement, and arborist services. Before starting with the City of Saratoga in January, he was a Senior Planner with the Town of Los Gatos. Ordoñez holds a Certiﬁ ed Planner credential from the American Institute of Certiﬁ ed Planners. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from the University of California, San Diego and Planning and currently working toward a Masters in Urban Planning from San Jose State University. Rick Sung is the Captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce – West Valley Patrol Division. The Division oversees patrols for Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Gatos Hills, and unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. Captain Sung’s career has come full circle. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Ofﬁ ce in 2004 as a deputy with the West Valley Patrol Division. Now as Captain, Sung acts as the Chief of Police for Saratoga. Captain Sung utilizes a “customer-oriented policing” model. This includes constant interaction and collaboration with community members and leaders to identify issues and ﬁ nd successful solutions. Welcome to the Saratoga family... Give and Receive Help with LinkAges TimeBank Want to get involved in the Saratoga community and meet neighbors with similar interests? Then look no further than LinkAges TimeBank. LinkAges TimeBank is a neighborhood service-exchange network that matches people with unique skills, talents, and needs with those who live nearby. Members earn hours by providing services, and use those hours to receive services in return. The network allows people to give and receive help, learn new skills, share hobbies and interests, and be a greater resource in their community. LinkAges TimeBank was founded by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in 2013 as part of a larger initiative to support the wellbeing and quality of life of older adults and family caregivers. The program’s goal is to create connections across all ages to build a strong social support network for our community To learn more, or sign up for an orientation in Saratoga, visit timebank.linkages.org or call (650) 934-3556. To learn more about The Saratogan, make comments, suggest story ideas, or just ask a question, contact Brian Babcock at bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1275. You can also ﬁ nd The Saratogan online and sign up for email alerts at www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan. C I T Y o f S ARATO G A CALIF O R N I A1956 Upcoming Co mmunity Events The recent 2.9 earthquake centered just outside of Saratoga is a reminder that earthquakes are a real danger. So how can residents be ready when the “Big One” hits? The best thing to do is prepare in advance. Ready.gov has a comprehensive list of ideas that residents can use to protect their families and property in the event of an earthquake, such as: • Build an emergency kit • Create a family communications plan, and • Fasten shelves securely to walls Saratoga residents can learn how to be on their own after a disaster by registering for the Santa Clara County Fire Department’s Personal Emergency Response class. Visit www.sccfd.org for more information. Residents can also prepare to help their families and neighborhoods during a disaster by signing up for the Saratoga Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Learn basic disaster response skills, such as ﬁ re safety, light search and rescue, and team organization. For more information on the program, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/cert. Crime Prevention Forum Tuesday, May 19, 6 p.m. Saratoga City Hall 13777 Fruitvale Avenue www.saratoga.ca.us Spring Wine Stroll May 9, 2:30 to 6 p.m. Big Basin Way www.saratogachamber.org Be Ready when the ‘Big One’ Hits Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 25, 9 a.m. Begins at Blaney Plaza Ends at Madronia Cemetery Ask Our Staff featuring Erwin Ordoñez Have a question? Send your question(s) to bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or (408) 868-1275. Q: I’m interested in renting out my home or a bedroom for a short period of time in order to earn some additional income. Is this allowed in Saratoga? A: Saratoga homeowners can legally rent out their homes or bedrooms in a residential area for a minimum of 30 days (such as a month-to-month lease). The rental of a home or individual bedrooms for a period less than 30 days (such as a short-term rental) is not permitted in residential areas. Possible City Code violations can be reported using one of three methods: • Call (408) 868-1214 • Email Code Enforcement at enforcement@saratoga.ca.us • Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/enforcement Erwin Ordoñez is the Community Development Director for the City of Saratoga. Ordoñez oversees City planning, building permits and inspections, code enforcement, and arborist services. &QA