HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaratoga Hills Road 20851HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #8`2)
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: Nelson Gardens
2. Historic name: Shumer Ranch, Shady Oak Glen
3. Street or rural address: 20851 Saratoga Hills Road
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
4. Parcel number: 503 -49 -041, 042
5. Present Owner: Nelson Gardens Foundation Address: 20 Montgomery St.
Suite 2425
City: San Francisco
Ownership is: Public:
6. Present Use: Ranch /Orchard
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: N/A
Zip: 94104
Private: X
Original Use: Ranch /Orchard
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
Located at the base of Saratoga Hills Road, Pontiac and Trinity
Avenues, this is a 5.1 acre parcel of land that is mainly an apricot
orchard. the property has two simple homes on it, a late 1930's summer
cottage and a smaller bungalow built in the 19601s; neither
historically significant. The orchard part of the parcel is relatively
flat and includes many native California trees, shrubs and plants. An
ornamental garden is bisected by a small creek with decorative ponds
and an area planted with ferns and redwoods. This creek is fed by
water from up the canyon. There are paths and seating throughout this
area. The property extends up the hill, which is mostly wild grasses
and oak trees.
8. Construction date:
Estimated: 1880's
Factual:
9. Architect: N/A
10. Builder: N/A
11. Approx. prop. size (ft)
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage: 5.1
12. Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s)
0
#82
Page 2
13. Condition: Excellent: Good: Fair: X Deteriorated:
No longer in existence:
14. Alterations:
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary)
Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up:
Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other:
16. Threats to site: None known: Private development: X Zoning:
Vandalism: Public Works project: Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: Two residential structures.
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates,
events, and persons associated with the site).
This ranch originally was part of the William A. Rice property which
extended west from Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. John and Susan Shumer came
west and bought a piece of the Rice Ranch in 1881, on which they raised
prunes, apricots and cherries. In 1885 they owned 49 acres and later added
15 -20 more acres. Their place, known as Shady Oak Glen, was one of
Saratoga's garden showplaces. Edward Gloyd came west in the 18901s,
settled in Saratoga, and married Inez Bailey, Susan Shumer's niece who had
grown up on the Shumer Ranch. About 1912, the Gloyds bought part of the
Shumer Ranch, and Susan Shumer Stevens sold a sinall parcel of her land to
Bruce Bonney. Until some time in the 1950's Reid Lane was known as Shumer
Road. Frank Nelson bought the Shumer -Lloyd ranch in the late 19301s; his
father had worked the orchards for John Shumer. In the 1940's Nelson
planted the Chinese Pistache trees that now line the road, and in 1971, he
put the property into a Williamson Act contract. He deeded the land to the
Nature Conservancy with the hope that "the preserve could be maintained as
a model of traditional agricultural land use in the Santa Clara valley so
people can be educated in the way a working orchard operates." In 1977 the
property was transferred to the California. State Parks Foundation and in
1984 it was deeded to the Florence Nelson Foundation. The original Shumer
f h 1 t d' —
arm ouse is no onger s an ing.
20. Main theme of the historic resource:
(If more than one is checked, number
in order of importance.)
Architecture: Arts /Leisure:
Economic /Industrial: 1
Exploration /Settlement: 2
Government: Military:
Religion: Social /Ed.:
21. Sources (List books, documents,
surveys, personal interviews and
their dates). Saratoga Stogy,
R.V. Garrod; interviews with Dorothy
Gloyd and Melita Oden, 7/88.
22. Date form prepared: 4/89
By (name): B. Voester
Organization: HPC
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
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19
NEWS
Vote split 2 -2
Nelson Gardens development proposal denied
By Kim Malanczuk
Neighbors living near the Flo-
rence Nelson Gardens may have
won an eight -year reprieve from
the developer's shovel last week
following a split vote on the Sa-
ratoga City Council.
Wednesday night, the city
council denied a request to
amend the city's general plan. As
a result, the 5.1 acre property's
current zoning will not be
changed from agricultural to resi-
dential.
to save the garden and possibly
use it as a demonstration orchard.
Before the city can consider
keeping-the orchard, it must ne-
gotiate with the Florence Nelson
Foundation, owners of the gar-
den, to purchase the property.
The Foundation, however, has al-
ready promised Ainsley Develop-
ment first right to purchase and
develop the garden into a nine -lot
subdivision.
If the Foundation refuses to
sell the garden to the city, the
city has a backup plan which
The eight -year reprieve will give the
city and neighbors an opportunity to
save the garden and possibly use it as
a demonstration orchard
In addition, the Saratoga Hills
Road property is returned to its
original Williamson Act contract
to be saved as open space for
eight years despite a prior
Williamson Act contract cancel-
lation. The amendment request
was automatically denied follow-
ing a 2 -2 council vote with coun-
cilmembers Don Peterson and
David Moyles favoring the re-
quest while Marty Clevenger and
Mayor Karen Anderson opposed.
Councilman Stutz Stutzman was
absent.
This eight -year reprieve will
give the city and the neighbors
an opportunity to develop a plan
may still get Saratoga its demon-
stration orchard.
In a last minute appeal, coun-
cilman Don Peterson proposed a
"win -win" situation for both the
city and Ainsley Development.
Instead of using the Nelson Gar-
den as a demonstration orchard,
Peterson suggested creating a
three acre demonstration orchard
in the midst of the city's current
12 acre Heritage Orchard located
at the comer of Fruitvale and Sa-
ratoga avenues. The orchard
would be dedicated to Frank C.
Nelson, former owner of the Nel-
son Gardens, who first envi-
sioned a demonstration orchard
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on his own small plot of land.
"It could be a showpiece for
the entire valley as far as I'm
concerned," Peterson said.
Unlike the Nelson Garden
which is located in•a residential
area, the Heritage Orchard is cen-
trally located to most city
schools and numerous civic
groups. This easy access would
allow the orchard to be used fre-
quently and without impact on a
surrounding residential area,
Peterson said.
"From my standpoint, that's
the right location for a demon-
stration orchard," he said.
The Heritage Orchard also
contains 12 acres of healthy,
fruited apricot trees. The two
acres of apricot trees in the Nel-
son Garden are diseased and de-
caying and would have to be re-
placed if the city purchased the
property.
Peterson's proposed demon-
stration orchard would also con-
tain a turn -of- the - century farm-
house. A year ago, the city of Sa-
ratoga authorized Caltrans to
move the restored Warner Hutton
House to the Heritage Orchard in
an effort to save it from Highway
85 construction. Peterson empha-
sized that the orchard and the
1890s farmhouse would give stu-
dents throughout the area a place
to loam hands -on the history of
apricot growing.
If the proposal is approved,
the farmhouse would be filled
with young people of all ages,
from children learning about
apricot growing to young people
gathering for youth commission
activities.
If the Foundation approves the
idea, Peterson suggests the non-
profit charitable organization take
an active involvement in the cre-
ation of the orchard. He proposes
that the Foundation donate
$200,000 to the city's park fund,
instead of the initial $110,000. In
addition, the Foundation would
be required to donate $30,000 a
year to maintain the orchard.
These donations would be in ad-
dition to a $250,000 grant to Ha-
kone Gardens.
Currently, the city could not
afford to purchase or maintain
the Nelson Gardens property,
councilman David Moyles em-
phasized. If the city purchased
the property, various funding op-
tions would be considered, in-
cluding a $25 tax on Saratogans
for the next 20 years.
Florence Nelson Foundation
boardmembcrs and Ainsley Dc-
vclopmeni vice president Jeff
Wyatt said Peterson's proposal
was "interesting" and that they
planned to consider the idea.
Fellow councilmembers were
pleased with Peterson's proposal
as well and will consider it dur-
ing the Jan 4 public hearing
when Ainsley Development and
the Florence Nelson Foundation
appeal the council's general plan
amendment denial.
Les Maison Provencal proposal ok'd
By Kim Malanczuk
Les Maisons Provencal devel-
opers have been given the go
ahead to pursue their final devel-
opment plan, despite prior dis-
sent on the Saratoga City Coun- ,
cil.
Last week the council voted
4 -0, councilman Stutz Stutzman
absent, to approve the project's
environmental impact report, the
general plan amendment, and the
rezoning request. The unanimous
decision nullifies a split vote two
weeks ago when the developers'
request was automatically denied.
As a result, Les Maisons Prov-
encal developers can complete
their final development plan and
submit it to the planning com-
mission for approval. The devel-
opers are proposing a senior life -
care facility and a townhomc
THANK YOU!
UNITED
CEREBRAL
PALSY
gyp F. ,
REALTY WORLD - -Moser & Long would like to
thank all of our clients, neighbors and friends for
their generous contributions to our United
Cerebral Palsy fundraiser. With contributions
totaling over $1000.00 we have placed over
1000 lights on our 14 foot Christmas tree.
Our Christmas tree will remain lit until after
New Years for the community to enjoy.
` REALTY WORLD -
Moser & Long _
NO
14363 Saratoga Ave. - LONG
867-3491
REALTY WORLD' ESTABLISHED 1906
project on the 27.2 acre site of
the former Paul Masson Winery
on Saratoga Avenue.
"I'm excited," project Man-
aging General Partner Dennis
Reichardt said. "I think it's great
for the community. It will be one
of the finest projects in northern
California."
Previously councilman Stutz -
man raised concerns that the pro-
ject's EIR was incomplete and
didn't contain sufficent informa-
tion about carbon monoxide lev-
els and the freeway's pollution
effect on the senior lifecare facil-
ity. He suggested installing a
ventilation system that would re-
move pollution particles from the
air and provide the senior lifccarc
facility residents with clean air.
According to Reichardt, no fa-
cility in the United States is cur-
rently screening its air for carbon
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i Saving this
historical orchard is
being viewed -by
Saratoga residents ...
in a wider context of
preserving open space
... 9
— Gary Nemetz
Saratoga group fights to save gardens
By Stan Moreillon
Mercury News Staff Writer
A Saratoga neighborhood group last
week vowed to go to the voters in its fight
to save a 5.1 -acre garden and orchard
from development.
The Friends of the Nelson Gardens will
circulate a petition to get the issue placed
on the November ballot, said member Ann
Waltonsmith. The group is fighting a Sara-
toga City Council decision that clears the
way for development of the parcel.
"We are going to circulate a petition
asking people to vote in November to keep
the gardens just as they are," she said.
"We are drafting an initiative now to be
placed on the ballot."
Meanwhile, the Saratoga City Council
reaffirmed its decision to tentatively can-
cel the city's land preservation agreement
with the Florence Nelson Foundation,
which owns the garden and orchard at
Saratoga Hills Road and Pontiac and Trin-
ity avenues. The action paves the way for
the proposed construction of nine homes
on the site by Ainsley Development Inc.
Waltonsmith, of 21060 Saratoga Hills
Road, which is near the gardens, said 20
families in the area form the core of the
group.
"The Sierra Club (which battles state-
wide to preserve open space) is providing
us with legal advice," Waltonsmith said.
In a letter to Mayor Don Peterson dated
Feb. 10, 1988 and discussed at last week's
council meeting, attorney and Friends
member Gary Nemetz of Saratoga said
the initiative will focus on maintaining the
present open space and agricultural status
of the property.
Nemetz wrote that the group has con-
tacted conservation organizations that spe-
cialize in finding money and ways to buy
threatened open space property.
"We encourage the city council to recon-
sider its vote on the cancellation," Nemetz
wrote. "The issue is greater than just a
small residential development. Saving this
historical orchard is being viewed by Sara-
toga residents and interested organizations
in a wider context of preserving open
space important to Saratoga and the Santa
Clara Valley."
According to City Attorney Hal Toppel,
See GARDEN, Page 3
® Community News
Petition drive
planned to save
Saratoga gardens
GARDEN, from Page 1
the group will need 1,947 signa-
tures to get an initiative on the
November ballot. That's 10 percent
of the 19,470 registered voters in
Saratoga. A bare majority voting
to keep the gardens would mean
victory for the group.
After a stormy public hearing on
Jan. 20, the council voted 3 -2 to
tentatively cancel the Williamson
Act contract with the foundation.
-The Williamson Act offers a major
property tax break to agricultural
landowners who agree not to de-
velop their land.
But the foundation had asked
that the contract be canceled so it
can sell the land to a developer to
help ease the foundation's financial
problems.
Council member David Moyles,
who made the motion to cancel,
noted that the land "has had no
viable agricultural use for 25
years" and added that he felt "the
public interest will be better
served by developing the land than
by keeping it the way it is."
Waltonsmith tried unsucO
ly last week to have the J,
public hearing reopened.
"I haven't changed my
Moyles declared. "There's i
new here — no actual cha
the situation, only specu
Why is this group writing
city council? They should g(
foundation if they have a 1
buy the property."
"I think we should hole
Councilwoman Martha Clev
said. "We're not under the gun to
cancel the contract. It has 10 years
to go. Let's not push this group.
Let's give them a couple of months
to see what they can do."
"We have to deal with this issue
now," Moyles retorted. "I'm
against delay. It just raises false
hopes."
He made the motion to cancel.
The vote was identical to that of
Jan. 20.
"There is nothing further for the
city to do at this point," said City
Attorney . Hal Toppel. "As far as
the city is concerned, I don't see
that an initiative would change
anything. As to the sale of the
property, that's up to the developer
and the foundation."
The foundation has an option
agreement to sell the land to Ain -
sley for about $2.2 million, accord-
ing to foundation spokesman Yuen
T. Gin.
"Ainsley is still looking to buy
and build," said San Jose attorney
Linda Callon, who represents the
firm.
Before final cancellation is
granted, the owner and developer
must apply to the city for changes
in the General Plan and rezoning
of the gardens from agricultural to
residential use and draw up a sub-
division map, Toppel said. Applica-
tions and a map must be approved
by the planning commission, then
go to the city council for final ap-
lalso must fulfill
ibute $120,000 to
avelopment Fund
1ie Hakone Foun-
itipulation that if
* for the gardens
00, 10 percent of
re contributed, to
illy between the
ikon Foundation.
developer have a
conditions, Toppel
'rne foundation has asked that
the contract be canceled and the
gardens sold to help ease its finan-
cial problems.
Gin said the foundation's net an-
nual income is about $40,000 but
that it costs $ ?0,000 a year just to
maintain the land. Public liability
insurance rates "are prohibitive,"
he added.
Deer and fawns will have to find new homes
Nelson property will become a nine -home subdivision
By Kim Malanczuk
The deer and their fawns
known to frequent the orchard
will have to find a new home.
The neighbors, the joggers, and
the passers -by will have to get
used to looking at nine houses
rather than apricot trees as once
again argicultural land has
given way to a residentail sub-
division.
Frank C. Nelson's dream to
preserve one of the few remain-
ing apricot orchards in the area
died last Wednesday when the
Saratoga City Council voted 3-2
to tentatively cancel, with some
conditions, the property's Wil-
liamson Act contract.
The Williamson Act was es-
tablished to protect agricultural
lands from urbanization and
maintain it in large enough par-
cels to continue its agricultural
productivity. The city of Sara-
toga and property owner Frank
C. Nelson originally entered into
the Williamson Act Contract in
1971 to preserve his 5.1 acres of
agricultural land.
The decision to cancel the -
contract for the Florence Nelson
Foundation property, located at
20851 Saratoga Hills Road, came
Saia"o ,News/January27f f968 %pa-e2
area than the unused land.
The council agreed the 5.1
acre property, two acres of
which are an apricot orchard,
after an emotionally charged
two -hour public hearing in
which almost 100 people at-
tended.
In public interest
Despite the emotional
testimony from neighbors, the
city council agreed their only
part in the scenario was to de-
cide if cancelling the Williamson
Act contract was in the public in-
terest or not.
"What it boils down to is —
can we make the findings or can
we not make the findings,"
Councilwoman .Joyce Hlava ex-
plained to the audience.
After extensive discussion
the council, with councilwomen
Karen Anderson and Martha
Clevenger dissenting, found it
was not in the public interest to
have an unoccupied piece of
land which could attract tres-
passers, isolated in the middle of
a residential area. The council
also found no other available
land within 800 feet of the site for
the proposed houses and found
that property development
would be more contiguous to the
should not have been placed
under the Williamson Act ori-
ginally, since it is less than the
10 acre minimum and is not an
agricultural resource.
"This hasn't been a viable
agricultural use for at least' 25
years," councilman David Moy-
les said.
`This hasn't been a
viable agricultural
use for at least 25
years.'
— Councilman
David Moyles
The majority of the public
testimony opposed the cancella-
tion of the Act. Area neighbors,
including 15 of the 16 neighbors
bordering the property, empha-
sized their opposition to the
cancellation by presenting the
council with a petition bearing
more than 800 signatures.
"The Nelson family always
intended that their property
would be preserved as a working
apricot orchard ... the Nelsons
intended for future generations
They gave it to all of us," pro -
perty neighbors Bob and Louise
Gager wrote in a recent letter to
the Saratoga News.
Other options suggested
Neighbors suggested various
ways to save the property in its
natural state, including YS1-
Saratoga Community Garden
relocating to the property. Area
residents agreed that they en-
joyed the sound of children and
farm animals and wouldn't
mind the minimal' traffic in-
crease incurred.
"The YSI- Saratoga Com-
munity Garden is a wonderful
option," Ann Waltsonsmith said.
Florence Nelson Foundation
members disagreed with the
relocation. The Foundation, a
charitable organization, has had
problems in the past in obtaining
insurance for different projects
for the property and doesn't
want the liability burden of the
Saratoga Community Garden.
The decision to sell the property
was initially prompted by the in-
creasing expense of maintaining
the property. An expense which
cut deeply into funds set aside
for charitable donations.
"We feel they (YSI- Saratoga
Community Garden) don't have
the sustaining membership and
time to maintain the garden,"
Foundation attorney Yuen T.
Gin said. "We can't lease it out
and continue to expose ourselves
to liability."
Saratoga Community Garden
board member Marianne Swan
later commented that the Com-
munity Garden is "very well in-
sured" since combining pro-
grams with YSI and could be
successful at the Nelson Garden
site.
In his final decision, Mayor
Don Peterson maintained that
the Saratoga Community Gar-
den was not consistent with the
city's General Plan and did not
belong in that area. Despite
their firm support the increased
traffic and noise would be much
more than the residents bar-
gained for, he said.
$2.2 million price tag
The Foundation is asking for
approximately $2.2 million for
the property. The sale to pro-
posed buyers Ainsley Develop-
Please turn to page 4
W
C
C
N
Neighbors protested development
Moving Community Gardens to property was suggested
Continued from page 2
ment, Inc. would mean approx-
imately $172,000 additional gross
income per year to be donated to
Saratoga and other West Valley
charities, Gin said. The income
is a significant increase over
prior years when the gross in-
come from the Foundation's
roughly $500,000 in cash and
government securities invest-
ments amounted to approxi-
mately $60,600 per year. In re-
cent years much of the income
has been spent maintaining the
garden property, meaning less
donations to needy charities.
The Foundation has donated
to many local charities in the
past including the Saratoga
Community Garden, Hakone
Gardens, Saratoga Fire Dis-
trict, Saratoga Federated
Church, Santa Clara County
Humane Society, Eastfield
Children's Center, and the Santa
Clara County Catholic Social
Services.
"How many people does this
garden really benefit compared
to what it's worth? Gin asked.
.. We don't think the benefits
of keeping the property out-
weigh the benefits of selling it."
The Florence Nelson Founda-
tion, named for Frank C. Nel-
son's first wife, was incorporat-
ed Sept. 10, 1952 and founded as
a charitable organization funded
by Nelson's private funds. Dur-
ing much of its later history, the
Nelson Garden was bounced
from one organization to an-
other because of its expensive
upkeep. Nelson owned the pro-
perty until the early 1970's when
no longer able to maintain the
property, he donated it to the
Nature Conservancy, a char-
itable organization interested in
preserving nature. The Conser-
vancy had difficulty obtaining
funds to maintain the property
and donated it to the California
State Park Foundation in Oct.
1977. Despite several attempted
projects, the Foundation too had
difficulty obtaining necessary
funding and donated it to the
Florence Nelson Foundation in
1984. The Nelson Foundation has
been struggling to balance pro-
perty maintenance costs with
charitable donations ever since.
The cancellation of the contract
and the sale: of the property will
end the foundation's struggle.
Saratoga City Attorney Hal
Toppel and Councilwoman
Joyce Hlava will discuss the ten-
tative cancellation conditions on
Feb. 17. The conditions would
allow the city of Saratoga a
monetary reimbursement from
the property sales which would
be donated to the city's parks.
The amount of reimbursement
has not yet been determined.
The dream to preserve a working apricot or- the property's Williamson Act contract. The
chard in Saratoga ended last Wednesday when once Nelson Garden is slated for development
the Saratoga City Council voted 3 -2 to cancel as a nine -lot subdivision.
ci
co
c
c
d2WU) r JOS
Saratoga
split over
garden
Vote paves way
for development
By Stan Moreillon
Mercury News Staff Writer
The Saratoga City Council voted last week to tenta-
tively cancel a land preservation agreement with a
foundation that owns a 5.1 -acre garden and orchard,
clearing the way for construction of nine homes on
the site.
The 3 -2 vote was taken after a two-hour public
hearing attended by about 120 people. Almost all of
those at meeting sought to keep the parcel as it is — a
preserved open space, a wildlife haven and a quiet
refuge for adults and children. The 5.1 -acre site in-
cludes a 2 -acre orchard.
One resident, Felix Rosengarten, presented the
council with a petition asking that the land be pre-
served. He said the petition had 800 signatures.
"I can easily get more signatures, if you want
them," he declared.
Frank C. Nelson, the 97- year-old director of the
Florence Nelson Foundation, which has headquarters
in San Francisco, owns the land. It is located at.
Pontiac and Trinity avenues and Saratoga Hills Road.
In 1971, Nelson signed a contract with the city of
Saratoga under the state's Williamson Act. The act
offers a major property tax break for agricultural
landowners who agree not to develop their land.
But the foundation has asked that the contract be
canceled so it can sell the land to a developer to help
ease the foundation's financial problems.
Foundation spokesman Yuen T. Gin said the foun-
See LAND, Page 4
A
4 Extra 3 • San Jose Mercury News ■ Wednesday, January 27, 1988
O Community News
Foundation may sell Nelson Gardens
LAND, from Page 1
dation has an option agreement to sell the
Iand for about $2.2 million to Ainsley Devel-
opment Inc., which wants to build a nine-
home subdivision there.
Gin told the council the organization can no
longer maintain the gardens financially.
"Our net annual income is about $40,000 a
year and it costs $20,000 a year just to main-
tain the gardens," he said. "And public liabili-
ty insurance costs are prohibitive."
City Attorney Hal Toppel told the council it
could legally cancel the contract if council
members decide the public interest would be
better served by selling the land than by
preserving it. The council must also deter-
mine, Toppel said, that no other nearby land
is available for similar development.
City staff members said no land was avail-
able within an 800 -foot radius.
Mayor Don Peterson and council members
David Moyles and Joyce Mava voted to ten-
tatively cancel the contract and permit the
land to be developed. Vice Mayor Karen An-
derson and Councilwoman Martha Clevenger
voted to keep the gardens as they are.
Moyles, who made the motion for cancella-
tion, said the land "has had no viable agricul-
tural use for 25 years" and added, "I can't
find my way legally to force the Foundation
to keep the land."
He noted that the gardens are surrounded
by residential areas, so building a subdivision
would be "contiguous" to the area.
"I believe the public interest will be better'
served by developing the land than by keep-
ing it as it is," he said later. "It will provide
the most good for the most people."
Before casting their dissenting votes, Clev-
enger and Anderson cited the importance of
maintaining open space in the city.
"Keeping the gardens is in the public inter-
est," Clevenger declared. "We need to protect
any little gem we have."
"If the land was acceptable under the Wil-
liamson Act in 1971, it's acceptable today,"
Anderson said. "It's still the same property
today."
The Nelson Foundation was organized in
1952 to donate funds to South Bay Area chari-
ties. Over the years, it has contributed to
many Saratoga -based groups, including the
Hakone Garden, Senior Center Council and
Saratoga Community Garden.
Included in the council vote was a rider
added by Moyles that obligates the foundation
to continue to make contributions to Saratoga
charities.
"We want to make sure some of that sale
money comes back here, not to the city gov-
ernment but to charitable organizations
here," Peterson said.
Mava and City Manager Harry Peacock
were directed to meet with representatives of
the foundation or the developer to work out a
plan for how much the foundation's contribu-
tion will be. They are to report back to the
council on Feb. 17.
The council then can tentatively cancel the
contract once it is satisfied that all conditions
have been met and can vote for permanent
cancellation later, Toppel said.
In 1971, when Nelson signed the contract
with the city, he was quoted as saying it was
his "dream to preserve a bit of land and
protect it from development so people can be
educated in the way a working orchard oper-
ates. Some people have never seen an apricot
orchard."
Nelson did not attend last week's council
hearing because of health problems. But John
Higgins, Nelson Foundation president,
brought along a taped statement from Nelson
and played it at the hearing.
In a surprisingly clear and resonant voice
for his 97 years, Nelson said: "At first, I
wanted to keep the property as it is. Now, it is
economically unfeasible to keep it. We must
sell the land. We have every intention to
continue our charities."
His wife,. Helen, 86, was there to briefly
second her husband's recorded statement.
Higgins said sale of the land "would pro-
vide $172,000 a year in additional income for
the Foundation."
San Jose attorney Linda Callon, represent-
ing Ainsley Development, said the intent of
the Williamson Act would not be served by
preserving the Nelson Gardens.
"The act is concerned with large areas —
10 to 40 acres or more, ". she said. "This land is
only 5.1 acres. No public interest would be
served by preserving such a small area."
Another San Jose attorney, Ron Rainey,
disagreed. "This is a legal matter," said Rai-
ney, who represented a group called Friends
of Nelson Gardens. "Can the council cancel
the contract? The Friends say `No!'
"The law says cancellation must be in the
public interest and that no other land can be
found for the development project," he said.
"The Nelson Gardens are a public benefit —
and there is plenty of land available for nine
houses. They don't have to be all on one
parcel
Ian Webb of Canyon View Drive compared
the Nelson property to school sites. "We've
got to keep them," he said. He also cited the
importance of preserving the land for wild
animals.
12378 Saratoga- Sunnyvale Rd. #*8
Saratoga, CA 95070
Wednesday, February 8, 1989
d Q; De, - M (a)
g671) 7�0
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.......... I .......
BULK RATE
U.S. Postage Paid
PCN Newspapers
Permit No. 163
Saratoga, CA.
Li
Vol. 46, No. 6
Three acres of the city's Heritage Preservation Orchard located behind the city library on
Fruitvale Avenue will not be developed into the alternative Frank C. Nelson Demonstration Or-
chard as a result of a Saratoga City Council vote last week.
Photos b `
JC'flfl;.l Calk
NEWS.
Williamson Act restored
Nelson Gardens to remain as orchards for 8 years
By Kim Malanczuk
The city of Saratoga lost a guaranteed $1 million in
park funding last week following an effort to preserve
the Florence Nelson Garden property for future city
use.
The Saratoga City Council voted 3 -2 Wednesday
night denying Ainsley Development's request to re-
zone the Nelson Garden site from open space to medi-
um- density residential for a proposed nine -home sub-
division. Councilmembers Don Peterson and David
Moyles opposed the denial.
"I'm very open to open space," Peterson said.
"But this five acres with a diseased orchard is the
wrong place to start."
Peterson questioned the council majority's efforts
to purchase the 5.1 acre garden for $2.6 million when
the Paul Masson Mountain Winery's 579 acres of
open space is currently for sale for $5 million.
Though the city can't currently afford to purchase ei-
ther piece of property, it's "ridiculous" to consider
purchasing the garden for a possible demonstration or-
chard when the site is in the midst of a residential de-
velopment and not central to the city, he said.
Ainsley was granted almost a month's continuance
in January to consider an alternative proposal Peterson
made to appease outraged neighbors who want to save
the garden. He suggested Ainsley Development and
the Nelson Foundation help establish and maintain a
demonstration orchard in the city's Heritage Orchard
on Fruitvale Avenue in exchange for a subdivision on
the Nelson Garden site. He hoped the suggestion
would prove to be a "win -win" situation by granting
the neighbors a demonstration orchard and the devel-
opers a subdivision.
Ainslcy and the Nelson Foundation approved the
suggestion and presented the plan to the city council
Wednesday night. The plan included contributions of
$110,000 to the city's Park Fund, $250,000 to the Ha-
kone Gardens, $90,000 to establish Peterson's pro-
posed demonstration orchard, and $30,010 a year to
maintain the orchard for 10 years.
But Mayor Karen Anderson, vice -Mayor Marty
Clevenger, and councilmember Stutz Stutzman ref-
used to consider the million dollar contribution and
instead opted to preserve the property hoping the city
could purchase it in the future. As a result, the city
loses the $750,000 contribution offered by Ainsley. In
addition, the city could lose $250,000 in matching
funds promised to Hakone Gardens by Dr. Morihito
Nagai, a resident of Japan. The Hakone Foundation
will only receive the money if it can raise $250,000 in
matching funds.
The zoning change denial automatically returned
the Nelson Gardens property to Williamson Act con-
tract protection for another eight years. The three
councilmembers insist this will give the council and
area neighbors enough time to research options to pur-
chase the private property.
The council majority's efforts may prove fruitless,
however, if the city is unable to acquire the private
Nelson Garden property. Ainsley Development is cur -
rcntly considering several options, including a possi-
ble lawsuit against the city. Ainslcy may also pur-
chase the property from the Nelson Foundation even
though it is still tinder the Williamson Act contract,
Ainsley Development President Jeff Wyatt said.
If Ainsley or the Nelson Foundation refuses to sell
the property to the city of Saratoga, the city's only
option would be to seize the private property through
a condemnation proceeding, City Attorney Hal Toppel
said. The city would pay fair market value for the
property. A condemnation, however, requires "super
majority" approval with a 4-1 vote. On the present
council, both Peterson and Moyles refuse to approve a
property condemnation.
. The council will*ieconsider the Nelson Gardens
Saratoga News /February 8, 1989 /Page 2 '.
site as well as other future open space sites in early
March when it mccts to discuss open space policy.
Councilmembers agreed they need to reevaluate the
city's current policy since many major open space
properties are expected to be available in the future.
The Paul Masson Mountain Winery's 579 acres is
currently for sale. The Saratoga High School site, Sa-
ratoga Country Club, and Garrod Farms Williamson
Act property are all potential open space purchases in
The Florence Nelson
Garden will be pre-
served for an addi-
tional eight years. It
is yet uncertain,
however, if the city
can purchase the
property for a future
demonstration or-
chard.
the future, Anderson said.
The council will discuss several open space fund-
ing options including a city wide tax, state funding,
and federal funding. If the council considers a city
wide tax the best option, the issue would be placed on
the ballot for residents to decide.
"We want to be in a position to purchase the open
space if it comes up," Anderson said.
Glendale Federal donates $100,000 for athletes
A grant of $100,000 has been donated by Glendale
Federal Savings and Loan Association to support 1992
Olympic Games hopefuls.
The check was presented to David Wolper, chair-
man of the board of directors of the Amateur Athletic
Foundation (AAF) of Los Angeles.
The funds will be awarded in grants to at least 25
athletes aspiring to be members of the 1992 U.S.
Olympic Team. To be eligible, athletes must have at-
tained an elite level of skill in their respective sports,
ana aemons rate financial need.
The AAF awards grants to youth sports orgamza-
dons, initiates its own regional youth sports program
and manages the state -of -the -art Paul Ziffren Sports
Resource Center, a learning and cultural center for
sports.
Glendale Federal is the nations fifth largest savings
and loan association with assets in excess of $24 bil-
lion. It operates 224 branches in California and Flori-
da.
Sheriff's Blotter
Residential burglary —Coins and a .22 caliber
pistol were stolen between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 from a residence located in the 13,000
block of Holliday. The residence was entered
through an unlocked front window.
Petty theft—A wallet was stolen from a purse
between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 26 from Bit O'
Country, located at 14,527 Big Basin Way. The
purse had been stored under a counter.
Two hundred dollars in cash was stolen Jan. 11
from a residence located in the 14,000 block of
Vickery Drive. A former houskeeper is suspected
of stealing the money which was hidden under a
bed, according to the Sheriff's report.
Vandalism —A Pepsi machine was kicked in
11:50 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Safeway grocery store lo-
cated at 12,876 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. The sus-
pect is described as a white male, 16 -18 years old,
with a blond crew cut. The suspect vehicle is de-
scribed as a brown or gold Ford Ranger "King
Cab" pickup truck, according to the Sheriff's re-
port.
A residence, located in the 14,000 block of
Montalvo Road, was splattered with mustard 11
p.m. Jan. 15. Mustard was thrown on the front
door, front walls, and sidewalk of the residence.
Mustard was also poured on two vehicles at the
residence.
Vehicle petty theft —A vehicle grill was stolen
between 10:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and 8:30 a.m. Feb. 2
from a 1982 Ford Bronco parked in the 13,000
block of Camino Barco.
A muffler was stolen 9:30 p.m. Jan. 20 from a
1973 Volkswagon Bug parked on Prospect Avenue.
Estimated loss $230.
A Mercedes Benz hood ornament was stolen be-
twecn 3 p.m. Jan. 25 and 10:15 a.m. Jan. 26 from a
1988 Mercedes Benz parked in the 20,000 block of
Komina. Estimated loss $75.
Vehicle vandalism —A 1974 Buick Regal was
dented 10:30 p.m. Jan. 26 while it was parked in
the 14,000 block of Elvira Street. Estimated dam-
age $250.
Egg yolk was streaked on the front hood of a
1967 Pontiac Bonneville between 6 p.m. Jan. 25
and 10 a.m. Jan. 26 while it was parked. in the
20,000 block of Russell Lane. Estimated damage
$75.
All information contained in the Sheriff s Blotter
is provided by the ,Santa Clara County Sheriff s
Department Wesiside Substation located in Sarato-
ga.
v -23 -�-1
11. COMMENT
Property could be used as park
Many alternatives available for orchard
EDITOR:
On Dec. 9, 1987, an article
was published in the Saratoga
News with the headline "More
Than 60 People Opposed !To;
Owner Wants to Make Orchard
into Houses." By this letter, l
would like to submit my
thoughts for publication with a
more appropriate title "Sara.
toga To Lose Another Park for
Development."
The property known as Nel-
son Gardens, currently under
consideration for development,
was gifted in 1971 by Frank Nel-
son to the Nature Conservacy, in
Washington, D.C. and then to the
State Parks Foundation based in
Oakland, with the intention to be
a public park. The property was
maintained for this public use
until 1984 when the State Parks
Foundation gave it to the Flor-
ence Nelson Private Founda-
tion. This Foundation, set up to
qualify contributions for tax
deduction purposes, was never
intended by that former owner
to own this property and has
other substantial assets to per-
form its charitable purposes.
The intent of the original
owner of the property was to
provide this land to the citizens
of Saratoga as a historically
significant demonstration or-
chard. In 1971, he purposely kept
it out of his private foundation
and successfully lobbied the city
of Saratoga to enter a Land
Conservation Contract even
though the property was less
than the 10 -acre minimum. Now
Frank Nelson is in his 90's and in
ill health, and the property is
subjected to the control of his
trustees.
The Dec. 9 headline was cor-
The intent of the
original owner was
to provide this
land to the citizens
of Saratoga.
rect. There are many "More
Than Sixty People Opposed" to
the development on this com-
munity asset. If any of those
other than the proponents of the
development had had their
views at the council hearing
reported in that article, it would
be clear that many residents of
Saratoga were aghast at the
inadequate notice and speed at
which this property is being ap-
proved for development.
There are other alternatives
which, if time is allowed to
study, may solve the Nelson Pri-
vate Foundation's concern over
rising maintenance expenses of
the property and better serve
the residents of Saratoga. For
example:
• Many years before his pres-
ent infirmity, Frank Nelson
unsuccessfully offered the prop-
erty to the city as a park. Why
was that not done in 1984 again
before the California State
Parks Foundation gifted it to the
Nelson Private Foundation?
Why not consider it now?
• Many neighboring residents
have offered financial support
and have suggested a Neighbor-
hood Assessment District. The
Williamson Act calls for a 10
year waiting period; the interes-
ted residents are asking for only
six months.
• A number of interested
community groups such as the
Senior Citizens, Youth Science
Institute, Community Gardens,
and others should be given time
to propose an alternative.
Yes, it's wonderful to look at
open space, and it is not easy to
pay for it, brit it's impossible to
recreate it.
This property has been a
park for over 16 years, and while
Please turn to page 11
Don't develop property
Continued from page 8
the developers of the property
have had the last three years to
come up with their plan, the
residents of Saratoga were
given only a matter of days at
the time of the City Council
meeting.
There are solutions that can
allow both sides to win, but once
the Land Conservation (Wil-
liamson) Contract is cancelled,
the city and residents of Sara-
toga will be at an extreme disad-
vantage in pursuing those alter-
natives.
Gary L. Nemetz
Saratoga
OW
Orchard may be turned into houses
Neighbors want to stop land development
EDITOR:
On Wednesday, Dec. 2, the
Saratoga City Council conducted
a public hearing on a proposal to
cancel the contract which pre-
serves the 5.1 acre Nelson
Foundation property at the bot-
tom of Saratoga Hills Road as an
agricultural preserve.
This property includes a two -
acre apricot orchard, several
buildings and a grassy hillside
lot. If the contract is cancelled,
the property will then be re-
zoned, subdivided and de
veloped into nine single - family
homes.
The Williamson Act has pro-
tected this two -acre orchard and
grounds from intrusion of urban
development since 1971. The
property cannot be sold for resi-
dential development until. the
agricultural restrictions are
lifted.
The Nelson family always
intended that their property
would be preserved as a working
apricot orchard. With this in
mind they donated it to the Cali-
fornia State Parks Foundation,
a voluntary, non - profit organiza-
tion dedicated to the enlarge-
ment and enhancement of the
state park system. Unfortunate-
ly the Saratoga Nature Center
concept did not work out and the
property was turned back to the
Florence Nelson Foundation.
Officers of the Florence Nel-
son Foundation, which main-
tains the property, initiated the
proposal to cancel the contract.
Theyi assert that selling the
property is in the best public
interest and that other public
concerns substantially outweigh
preserving this property for
agricultural production. Their
prime argument for cancelling
the contract and developing the
land is that the property is too
small to be economically fea-
sible for continued agricultural
production. They say that sel-
ling the property will be consis-
tent with the objectives of the
Saratoga General Plan for
developing single family de-
tached houses. There are a few
... The Nelsons in-
tended for future
generations to
enjoy their orchard
forever.
who will profit greatly, but the
Nelsons intended for future
generations to enjoy their or-
chard forever. They gave it to
all of us!
Many of us who are interes•
ted in stopping the development
of this property Into nine home -
sites showed our concern to the
Saratoga City Council by ap-
pearing as a large group at the
public hearing. We need to unite
to preserve the Nelson property
as it was entrusted to the future
. . . to remain an orchard in
perpetuity. The City Council
needed to know that a large seg-
ment of the public is sufficiently
interested in defeating this can-
cellation that they took the
trouble to appear at the council
meeting.
Action was delayed until Jan.
20. We need public support!
Bob and Louise Gager
Saratoga
Saratogans
say gardens
should stay
By Stan Moreillon
Mercury News Staff Writer
Judging strictly on comments
from a small crowd at a Nelson
Gardens task force meeting Thurs-
day night, Saratogans would like to
see the 5.1 -acre gardens kept just
as they are — bucolic and undevel-
oped.
None of the dozen or so residents
who made up the audience spoke
for development of the land at
20851 Saratoga Hills Road, which
is owned by the Florence Nelson
Foundation.
The foundation has sold develop-
ment rights to Ainsley Develop-
ment Co., which wants to build
nine homes on the land.
Ainsley's plan has aroused such
bitter opposition that the Saratoga
City Council last month appointed
nine residents and four city offi-
cials to the task force, which is
studying possible alternative uses
of the land. Chairwoman is Mayor
Karen Anderson.
The council continued to Dec. 21
a public hearing on Ainsley's de-
velopment request to give-the task
force time to study options. -
It also extended until the De-
cember meeting tentative cancel-
lation of the city's Williamson Act
contract with the foundation.
The act offers a major tax break
See GARDENS, Page 3
Nelson Gardens hearing
postponed until December
GARDENS, from Page 1
to agricultural land owners who
agree not to develop their proper-
ties. The council tentatively can-
celed the contract in February.
An apricot orchard fills two
acres of the Nelson Gardens. When
Frank Nelson, the original owner,
signed the contract with the city in
1971, he said his dream was to
preserve at least one orchard in
Saratoga so people — especially
children — could know the beauty
of orchards and the joy of raising
fruit, especially apricots.
That dream was recalled with
affection at the task force meeting.
Betty Peck, a retired school-
teacher, spoke for the dream — "a
quiet place for the agricultural ed-
ucation of young and old" — and
"for the children."
"The park gives us all instant
roots," she added quietly.
Bob Swanson, who lives on Crisp
Avenue not far from the Nelson
Gardens, said over the years they
have been "both a good thing and a
nuisance."
"The park used to be a quiet
place in the late 1970s, but in the
past few years it has been obvious-
ly lacking in funding and has been
turned into an arena for public
events," he said.
The weddings that are held there
create irritating traffic jams that
"turn Crisp Avenue into a parking
lot," he complained. "There will be
40 or 50 cars at a wedding."
Swanson would like to see park-
ing for 40 cars provided at the
gardens.
City Manager Harry Peacock, a
task force member, asked Swanson
the same question he asked other
speakers: "Would you be willing to
pay an assessment to maintain the
Nelson Gardens ?"
"I would, if it's a reasonable
one," Swanson replied. "Over the
years, the gardens have been-more
of a joy than a nuisance."
Bud Alexander, who lives at
Trinity and Pontiac avenues near
the gardens, said, "I love the or-
chard the way it is and I want to
keep it that way."
He told Peacock he not only
would be willing to help pay for
upkeep of the land, he would be
willing to volunteer his labor.
"Keep it as it is. It's a shame to
turn everything under concrete,"
said Gloria Watson of Farwell Av-
enue. She said she too would con-
tribute to the gardens' mainte-
nance.
Dave Johnston, director of the
Youth Science Institute, said he
would like to see an agricultural
program for city youngsters estab-
lished at the Nelson Gardens, simi-
lar to one offered by the Saratoga
Community Garden until last sum-
mer on land at the Odd Fellows
Home.
Save Nelson property
EDITOR:
I recently learned with great
dismay that the Nelson apricot
Orchard is to be discontinued as
an agricultural and nature pre-
serve. The Nelson Foundation
which is now funding and main-
taining the property cites in-
creasing costs as one reason
which makes the project un-
feasable. A more disturbing
reason was that community op-
position prevented the use of the
property for which the gift was
intended. This, in my opinion, is
not a valid reason as there was
insufficient publicity about the
natw•e and purpose of this re-
source. Citizens were unable to
fully realize the benefits and
avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity to make proper use of the
facilities.
I remember that about 15
years ago Mr. Nelson, then a
neighbor, had a plan to offer in
perpetuity his Saratoga home
and part of his apricot orchard
for future generations to enjoy
and learn. At the time, the con-
cept of a "working farm" was
being developed in many parts
of the USA to perserve a fast
disappearing way of life. At the
same time, orchards were being
bulldozed in Santa Clara Valley
at a great rate.
Work in the apricot orchards
was our heritage. Anyone who
grew up in this valley remem-
bers cutting apricots in the sum-
mers. Our children often com-
plained, but 500 per box was suf-
ficient enticement to keep them
going back to the job.
Mr. Nelson envisioned a
"working orchard" where fu-
ture generations would be re-
minded of their heritage by par-
ticipating and learning in a
natural setting and enjoying
benefits of this natural preserve.
Older citizens could use the faci-
lities and perhaps assist in the
maintenance.
If our citizens are really in-
terested in this historical site be-
ing maintained, they can voice
their opinions and offer alter-
native suggestions to the City
Council members who will be
considering the issues at the
January 20th meeting.
If this generous man's gift is
lost in the "March of progress ",
one of our last open spaces will
disappear under concrete.
Dreams often go down the drain,
but perhaps some aesthetic
gratification might be gained for
the children of the future if
someone has the foresight to
build on the site one of those tur-
reted Arthurian Castles which
seem to be gaining acceptance
in the area.
Blanche Walton
Saratoga
,lam
Campbell ° Los Gatos • Moue Sereno • Saratoaa • West San Jn-qp-
By Michael Cronk
Mercury News Staff Writer
The final chapter has yet to be written
on the Nelson Gardens despite the Sarato-
ga City Council's denial of a rezoning re-
quest to allow residential development on
the 5.1 -acre property.
The possibility of the city securing the
$2.4 million needed to purchase the land is
being talked about by some council mem-
bers, who want the site to remain as open
space or eventually developed as a spe-
turns down
City discusses buying Nelson Gardens*
cialty community gardens or historic park
site. One way to raise the funds would be
by placing a tax measure on the Saratoga
ballot.
Officials of Ainsley Development Inc.,
which owns development. rights to the
property and has proposed building a nine-
home subdivision on the site, have repeat=
edly vowed: "We won't go away."
Jeff Wyatt, Ainsley vice president and
co- owner, said the options remaining to his
company include buying the property
from the Florence Nelson Foundation
even without an approved project, or pur-
suing their case in court.
As expected, the council last week de-
nied on a 3 -2 vote a general plan amend-
ment changing the designation of the Nel-
son Gardens from open space /managed
resource to medium - density residential.
Mayor Karen Anderson, Vice Mayor Mar-
tha Clevenger, and Councilman F.L. Stutz -
man voted against the amendment. Coun-
cilmen David Moyles and Don Peterson
voted for it.
The vote was hailed as a victory by
those Saratogans who fought to preserve
the property, which they have character-
ized as unique and critical open space in
the city.
See SARATOGA, Page 2
,Nelson Gardens
,discussion not over
SARATOGA, from Page 1
"I'd like to think of it (Nelson
Gardens) as part of the heritage of
Saratoga," said Stutzman before
the vote was taken at last week's
council meeting.
Those favoring the project said
the action not only denied an ap-
propriate land use on the property,
but also meant the loss of hundreds
of thousands of dollars generated
from the property's sale that
would have gone into city coffers
and to local charities.
"It was a purely political issue. I
don't think it was logic or good
land use planning that determined
tonight's vote," said Wyatt.
The Nelson Gardens is located at
20851 Saratoga Hills Road. A non-
functioning apricot orchard takes
up two acres of the property.
There is also a 1960s residence and'
a 1930s visitors' cottage on the
land, and a number of native Cali-
fornia trees.
Development of the Nelson Gar-
dens, which has been before the
city for almost two years, has been.
one of the most studied and debat-
ed issues in recent city history.
The council in February 1988
tentatively canceled the city's Wil-
liamsom Act contract with the
foundation. The act offers a major
tax break to agricultural landown-
ers who agree not to develop their
property. Foundation officials
moved to sell the property to Ain -
sley, saying it had become too ex-
pensive to maintain and was less-
ening the money the foundation
could donate to charities.
In granting the tentative cancel-
lation, the council required a fee of
10 percent of the sale price. Of that
total, $110,000 was earmarked for
the city's parks fund, and $250,000
to Hakone Gardens, which would
have been doubled with a matching
grant.
A staff report last June recom-
mended approval of the general
plan amendment finding that the
proposed project was consistent
with the surrounding residential
neighborhood. Also, last June the
council ordered the formation of
an ad hoc task force committee to
study development options on the
property. The committee's report
was submitted in December.
In voting for the rezoning, Peter-
son and Moyles maintained that
the project was appropriate for the
area and that the city was not in a
position to buy the property. They
also said the money generated
from the sale would benefit the
entire community.
open space. This five -acre proper-
ty is the wrong place to go. It has a
diseased orchard and houses fall-
ing down. Even if they gave us the
property, this is no place for a
demonstration orchard. We should
be concentrating on preserving our
ridge line open space, such as the
500 acres at the Paul Masson
Mountain Winery site.
"Let's consider putting it on the
ballot and if it fails, I think we
ought to subdivide it," he said.
Clevenger said last June's city
election, when Stutzman was voted
in, "pointed to a large percentage
of Saratogans who want to pre-
serve open space.
"I want us to be proactive in
terms of open space. Nelson Gar-
dens has something special we
need to look at and a vote to rezone
would close that option and the
various funding options to pur-
chase the site. I'm committed to
looking at options."
Anderson, who chaired the ad
hoc committee, said, "People saw
incredible possibilities of develop-
ing this site into a park."
She added that since the council
will be considering open space pol-
icy in the city next month "it
would be premature to take this
piece of open space."
Last week's rezoning denial
came despite Ainsley's agreeing to
increase the money it would give
to the city.
Ainsley had requested a continu-
ance at a January council meeting
to see if it could raise funds to
establish and maintain a three -
acre demonstration orchard at the
city's 14 -acre Heritage Orchard
near City Hall. That proposal,
made by Peterson, was aimed at
giving Saratogans a site for a
Frank C. Nelson demonstration or-
chard, while still securing the mon-
ey for the city from the sale of the
Nelson Gardens site.
Ainsley came up with an addi-
tional $90,000 to the parks fund to
establish the orchard along with
$30,000 a year to maintain it over
a 10 -year period. Ainsley attorney,
Linda Callon, said the foundation
would gain approximately $184,000
additional gross income each year
from the sale and thereby increase
its cash available for charitable
recipients annually by approxi-
mately $172,000.
Moyles said he had "no illusions
about the ability of the city to pur-
chase open space.
— Wyatt said Ainsley will retain its
"We made the findings to take it development rights to the proper -
out of the Williamsom Act. It's ty. "The council is pursuing this
consistent with the general plan idea that they have a willing Sell-
and land use element," Peterson er," he said. "The council has this
said. "It keeps coming back to-- fantasy that they can buy it."
I
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The city council will reconsider the fate of the Nelson Garden on Dec. 21 when the Nelson Garden Task Force submits its
five months of research on the property.
Task force to submit report
Future of Nelson Gardens may be next week
By Kim Malanczuk
The future of the Florence
Nelson Gardens may be decided
next week when the Nelson Gar-
dens Task Force submits its final
report to the Saratoga City Coun-
cil.
After five months of research
and discussion, the task force
will submit a report containing
various public and private uses
for the 5.1 acre property located
at 20851 Saratoga Hills Road.
The task force was appointed to
research whether a park, a resi-
dential subdivision, or a combi-
nation of the two could be lo-
cated on the property.
Despite the various develop-
ment options submitted to the
council on Dec. 21, the city
council will simply vote whether
or not to change the current
zoning on the property from agri-
cultural to residential. The Flo-
rence Nelson Foundation, owner
of the property, is requesting the
zoning change in an effort to sell
the property to Ainsley Develop-
ment for an estimated $2.4 mil-
lion. If the council approves the
zoning change, the property's
Saratoga News/ December 14, 1986 /page 2
Williamson Act contract will be
cancelled.
Presently the Williamson Act
contract, which requires the prop-
erty to be maintained as agricul-
tural land, is all that stands be-
tween the neighbors' view of
apricot orchards or their view of
a new subdivision.
If the city council denies the
Foundation's request, the prop-
erty will be forced back into the
Williamson Act contract for eight
more years. This would give [lie
city and the city council eight
years to decide if a park should
be located on the property and
how it could be financed, Mayor
Karen Anderson said.
"Essentially what you've
done is bought yourself more
than eight years to decide what
to do with it," Anderson said.
If the council denies the
zoning request, the Florence Nel-
son Foundation plans to hold on
to the property until the William-
son Act contract runs out in eight
years. The Foundation has prom-
ised to give Ainsley Develop-
ment first right to develop the
property whether the Williamson
Act is cancelled now or eight
years from now, Ainsley Devcl-
opment Vice President Jeff
Wyatt said.
If the council denies the
zoning request, it has two options
to pursue a park on the property.
First, the council could attempt
negotiations with the Foundation.
If the neogtiations prove unsuc-
cessful, the city can condemn the
property and pay the Foundation
the fair market value for the land.
Then the city would be free to
pursue a park on the site.
"It just doesn't look good to
have a city government condemn
on a charity," Wyatt wamed. "It
will be a battle if the city thinks
they can come in and condemn
it.'
Wyatt says a council decision
to deny the zoning change re-
quest will prove to be a fatal
mistake for the community. Cur -
rcntly the Foundation is offering
to donate a $250,000 grant to the
Hakone Gardens and a $110,000
grant to the park fund if the city
approves the zoning request and
a 9 -lot subdivision on the proper-
ty. If the Foundation waits until
the contract with the city runs
out, it will be unnecessary to do-
nate money to the city and Sa-
ratoga will lose out, he said.
If the council approves the re-
zoning, the Foundation will not
only donate $360,000 to the city
of Saratoga, it will donate inter-
est generated from the sale of the
property to local charities as
well. The Foundation invests the
monies from the sale of the prop-
erty and eighty percent of the an-
nual annuity is donated back to
Santa Clara County charities,
Wyatt said.
The Foundation has been do-
nating money to various county
charities for the past 30 years.
During the 1970s, Nelson Garden
owner Frank C. Nelson consid-
ered preserving the property to
show future generations how a
working apricot orchard is oper-
ated. Within the past few years,
however, property maintenance
has become a drain on Founda-
tion finances and less money is
being donated toward charities.
Local neighbors living near
the garden are determined to save
what remains of one of Sarato-
ga's few remaining apricot or-
chards. They say they can find a
way to finance the park if they
arc given the opportunity to re-
scarch possibilities.
Despite the political maneu-
vering taking place, the city
council is most interested in
whether or not the voters would
support a community park at the
Nelson Gardens site. As yet, the
city has to determine how the
park would be funded, but Sa-
ratogans could be asked to pay
$25 a year for the next 20 years
to support the park. The city may
also have the option of pursuing
state funding or private grants to
fund the park.
"It's not going to be an in-
stantaneous decision at all. We
want to know if the voters are
going to support this," Anderson
emphasized. "We want to know
if people want this badly enough
to pay for it."
The city council will hold a
public hearing on the Nelson
Gardens 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at City
Hall. All interested Saratogans
are invited to attend and voice
their opinions.
Harvest Time
The harvesting of apricots is complicated because
apricots on a single tree ripen at varying intervals.
Therefore, to harvest only properly ripened fruit, pickers
must make two or three "sweeps'' through an orchard
over a period of perhaps a week.
Correct ripeness depends upon how the apricot will be
processed. Apricots for canning are harvested slightly
firmer and less ripe than apricots for drying. The drying
process was often a festive occasion. The men harvested
the fruit while women and children in cutting sheds cut
the fruit in half and removed the pit. There was an
air of competition and an expert cutter could complete
a 40 pound "lug'' of apricots in a half hour.
The apricot halves were placed on large wooden trays, in
airtight sheds and treated with sulphur fumes to inhibit
insects. They were then set out in the sun to dry. In its
heyday Santa Clara Valley shipped thousands of tons of
apricots each year to countries throughout the world.
The Decline of the Apricot
Rising land values, higher labor and production costs,
and the planting of competing orchards in other areas
spelled doom for the apricots of Santa Clara Valley. A new
variety of apricot, the Tilton, was introduced in the
San Joaquin Valley, and it proved to be a far heavier
producer than the Blenheim.
Although the flavor of the Blenheim is superior, canners
paid the same price for both varieties. The farmers of
Santa Clara Valley, where Blenheims were principally
raised, found they could no longer compete with the
higher production of the San Joaquin Valley.
About the California
State Parks Foundation
The California State Parks Foundation has received the
Saratoga property as a gift and is operating and
maintaining it according to the wishes of the donor
through a special endowment available for the purpose.
Plans call for the property to be transferred subsequently
to an appropriate public body.
The California State Parks Foundation is a voluntary
non - profit charitable organization dedicated to helping
secure additional parklands and preserve historical sites
and unique natural areas within the State Park System.
All contributions go to help further this work. The
Foundation is not a part of state government and receives
no state funds. All contributions are deductible
from federal and state taxes.
California State Parks Foundation
1706 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone(415)834 -4411
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Saratoga
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The Saratoga Nature Center is both a place of learning and
an area where visitors can simply enjoy nature.
This scenic five -acre site located within the city of
Saratoga contains a small, working orchard. Here one can
see apricots being grown and processed as they were
in the days when the Santa Clara Valley was one of
the world's leading fruit growing regions.
There is also a small arboretum on the property, and from
the gazebo on the hilltop one has a sweeping view of
the valley and the mountains beyond.
Credits:
Conceptual design of the Saratoga Nature Center:
Hall Goodhue and Haisley.
Research on brochure: John Mott.
Graphic design: Ed McElligott.
Typography: Price Typography.
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Saratoga
Nature
Center
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Garden of Eden, U.S.A.
Less than thirty years ago, springtime visitors called
Santa Clara Valley a "Garden of Eden.'' At that time
hundreds of thousands of prune, apricot and other fruit
trees filled the valley floor with fragrant blossoms. Visitors
from throughout the world came to view
this stunning scene.
So vast were Santa Clara Valley's orchards that in 1958
they produced 55 percent of the world's dried prunes and
led the nation in apricot production. Internationally
"Santa Clara" was synonymous with excellent
quality fruit.
Two main factors contributed to the valley's success as a
premiere fruit - growing region —mild climate and rich
soil. Lack of frost and the consistently warm weather
during the growing season made the area ideal for
apricots and other fruits.
Through the centuries winter rains washed the topsoil
down from the surrounding hillsides to the valley floor.
Gradually the well drained soil grew deeper and richer
and is considered some of California's
finest agricultural land.
The March of Progress
At the end of World War II, the valley's orchards
encompassed nearly 100,000 acres. Twenty percent were
apricots, sixty percent prunes, and the balance
were other fruits.
But as people discovered the beauty of Santa Clara
Valley, the orchards began to give way to highways,
homes, factories and shopping centers. The population of
the valley leaped from 219,000 in 1945 to 1,184,200 by
1976. By 1976 over 230 square miles of valley floor were ;
heavily urbanized compared to 46 square miles in 1945:
Land values skyrocketed from $2,000 per acre in the
1940's to as much as $50,000 per acre in 1976.
This loss of prime agricultural lands in the name of
"progress" is not unique to Santa Clara Valley. It is
occurring at an ever increasing pace throughout
California. Concerned citizens may well ask if this is a
proper use of our rich agricultural areas and if in the long
run, we are not destroying the very land that can feed
our growing population. From an esthetic point of view,
we might wonder what Santa Clara Valley would be like
today if the beautiful and productive orchards had been
preserved and urbanization restricted to the relatively
unproductive surrounding hillsides.
j
A Link With the Past
There are still a few small islands of fruit trees left in the
valley. The Saratoga Nature Center is one. This
property has been donated to preserve a portion of this
once great fruit growing region and to serve as an
educational center for senior citizens, school children and
the general public. Here the care, growing and
processing of apricots is demonstrated. The area is of
particular, interest because there is a small arboretum on
the property containing exotic plants,and the upper
slopes, in natural vegetation, reflect the ecology
of the coastal mountains.
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The Delicious and Versatile Apricot
The apricot is not only delicious as a fresh fruit, but in the
dried form has many uses. The pits themselves are
valuable. Marzipan is a popular candy made almost
entirely from the kernel inside the pit. The "almond" on a
Chinese almond cookie is actually an apricot kernel.
Many types of cosmetics, shampoos, and hand lotions
are also made from the kernel as is the controversial drug
Laetrile. The pits themselves are used to manufacture
barbeque briquets, and in a ground form they are
used to clean jet engines.
The Care of Apricots
The apricot is a native of China where it still grows wild.
It was introduced into Santa Clara Valley by Spanish
missionaries. There are many varieties of apricots, but the
Blenheim and the Moorpark were the two most common
in Santa Clara Valley. The Blenheim was favored by most
growers because of its heavy yield —from four to six
tons per acre to as high as sixteen tons.
Apricots, like other fruit, are subject to pests and
diseases, and protection of the trees against these
enemies is an expensive and time consuming task.
Fertilization and proper irrigation is essential to the health
of apricots, and the farmer had a unique method for
determining when the trees needed water. He closely
observed the pigweed that also grew in the orchard.
When the pigweed began to wilt, he knew the trees
needed water because the weed's long taproot reached
down almost as far as the tree roots.
I
Hasn't been opened for several years
Nelson Gardens task force takes tour of land
By Kim Malanezuk
Last week the 16- member
Nelson Property Task Force
toured the controversial Flor-
ence Nelson Garden to deter-
mine the current condition of the
5.1 acre parcel.
The garden, located at the
juncture of Pontiac Avenue,
Trinity Avenue, and Saratoga
Hills Road, has been closed to
the public for several years and
many task force members were
surprised to find a wide variety
of plants and trees growing on
the property. Members wander-
ing the parcel reviewed plant
conditions and took note of
several seating areas among the
trees.
Only about eight citizen's at-
tended the public hearing follow-
ing the garden tour, a number
considerably less than expected
by task force members. The
task force held the hearing to get
new property use suggestions
from Saratoga citizens. So far,
the task force has received three
letters from citizens, two in
favor of a park on the property,
and one in favor of "the com-
promise." The compromise di-
vides each of the five one -acre
lots in half. One half could not be
built on and would be used strict-
ly as private open space, while
the other half could be built on.
Saratoga resident Bob Swan-
son, who lived near the Saratoga
Community Gardens while it
was located on the Odd Fellows
property, told task force mem-
bers what it was like to live near
a community garden.
"It was both a good thing and
a nuisance, obviously not at the
same time. The garden was
turned into a arena for public
events," Swanson said. "But I
didn't come here to be negative
because I really enjoyed the
garden when it was properly
run."
Because of a lack of funding
the Community Gardens was
forced to support itself with
events such as weddings, he
said. This increased traffic and
noise in the area. Many times
people wouldn't park in the
parking lot and parked in the
street instead to avoid walking
in the dirt. This resulted in as
many as 30 to 50 cars being park-
ed along his residential road. He
recommended a parking lot be
installed for any proposed park
at the Nelson Garden site. A
typical weekend at the commun-
ity gardens usually only
amounted to six cars, he said.
"That was in the days when
there were so few people and so
few cars (the Community Gar-
den) was an extension of my
own garden," Swanson said.
Swanson said he enjoyed the
garden's early years when there
were few money making events.
He enjoyed the animals and
didn't find them irritating like
he found the parking problem.
He even admitted to missing the
rooster which would wake him
up in the morning.
Youth Science Institute di-
rector Dave Johnston told task
force members the community
gardens would consider relo-
cating to the property if the op-
portunity was offered.
"I'd be willing to work with
the city and the Nelson Founda
tion if that is your wish," John-
ston said.
The program would consist
mostly of nature classes, a
wildflower show, daycamps, a
Spring festival, and a harvest
festival. If the community gar-
den were offered a $1 a year
lease, similar to that offered by
the Odd Fellows, the program
would be supported by govern-
ment grants, tuition, and private
donations, Johnston said. He
emphasized the community gar-
den would not participate in ex-
tensive money making ventures
on the property.
"We are not in the wedding
business. We have never been in
the wedding business and I don't
foresee us ever getting into the
wedding business," he said.
A majority of the citizens at-
tending the hearing, including
several task force members, fa-
Nelson Property Task Force members Louise tachio plants in desperate need of water on the
Gager (left) and Sally McElravey look at pis- 5.1 acre Nelson Garden site.
vored a park use on the site.
"I don't think it would dis-
tress us that much to see kids en-
joying themselves ... Here's a
little island that stands out all by
itself," Saratoga Hills Road
resident Robert Bitney said.
The Saratoga City Council re-
cently formed the task force to
give area neighbors an oppor-
tunity to find a use for the prop-
erty other than the nine homes
proposed by Ainsley Develop-
ment. Task force members in-
clude Friends of the Nelson
Gardens; the Florence Nelson
Foundation, owners of the prop-
erty- Ainsley Development;
Saratoga citizens; planning
commission chairperson Susan
Guch; city manager Harry Pea-
cock; and Mayor Karen Ander-
son.
The Florence Nelson Founda-
tion hopes to sell the property
and donate the proceeds to vari-
ous local organizations includ-
ing Hakone Foundation, Sara-
toga Community Gardens, Cath-
olic Social Service of Santa
Clara County, Children's Health
Council, Live Oak Day Care
Center, Saratoga Fire De-
partment, and Crippled Chil-
dren's Society of Santa Clara
County.
11/12/88
Voster /Compton
NELSON ORCHARD AND GARDENS
Background and History
Originally this 5.1 acre property was part of a larger ranch
which extended west from Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, including
the present Foothill School site, and on up the hill.
There are now two houses on the property. The white house was
built by Frank Nelson in the 1930's as a summer retreat. The
brown one was built in the 1960's for Frank's sister, Ada, who
lived there for many years. The original Shumer farm house is
no longer standing. In the 1940's Frank planted the Chinese
Pistache trees that line the road. These trees turn brilliant
colors in the fall and many people come by to enjoy them.
On May 19, 1971, Frank C. Nelson and the City of Saratoga
entered into a land conservation agreement when Frank put his
property into the Williamson Act.
In December 1971, Frank Nelson began deeding portions of his
property to The Nature Conservancy. He did this because, as
he said in an article in the San Jose Mercury News on December
2, 1977,
My present wife, (Helen), and I want to
preserve a bit of land and protect it from
development so people can be educated in the
way a working orchard operates. Some people
have never seen a apricot orchard.
Sometime later, official records of The Nature Conservancy
state that,
The California State Parks Foundation and the
donor, Mr. Frank Nelson, have expressed
considerable interest in having the property
transferred to the California State Parks
Foundation for possible eventual transfer to
the California State Parks and Recreation
Department.... It has been Mr. Nelson's hope
that the preserve could be maintained as a
model of traditional agricultural land use of
M
L
the Santa Clara Valley, where the property
is located. The property is almost entirely
covered by old, well- maintained orchards. The
State Parks Foundation is actively working
with Mr. Nelson on the development of a
program which would provide public use and
education while maintaining the area's
agricultural values.
On October 11, 1977, The Nature Conservancy deeded the pro-
perty to The California State Parks Foundation. They did this
because at that time The Nature Conservancy was generally
cleaning out their inventory of properties to reflect their
new policy of only taking on properties for the purpose of the
preservation of rare species and their habitat.
The Resolution of the Board of The Nature Conservancy
authorized transfer of the property to the California State
Parks Foundation
...for preservation of the natural and
traditional agricultural values of the land
and for public use and education upon such
conditions and terms of reimbursement as the
President may consider appropriate, provided
that appropriate arrangements have been made
by reverter clause or otherwise to protect the
natural area qualities of the property...
Despite The Nature Conservancy Resolution's explicit instruc-
tions requiring a "reverter clause" to protect the natural
area qualities of the property, no such reverter clause was
ever executed.
However, the clear intent of the parties involved is
additionally evident from two letters: Frank C. Nelson's
letter, dated July 18, 1977, to The Nature Conservancy in
which he said,
It would seem to be in order now for you to
transfer this property to the California State
Parks Foundation in accordance with the terms
previously discussed which you will presumably
set forth in your letter covering the
transmission of the deed to the California
State Parks Foundation.
The second letter, or transmission, dated October 14, 1977,
from Henry P. Little, Western Regional Director of The Nature
3
Conservancy to William Penn Mott, Jr., president of the
California State Parks Foundation said,
Enclosed is The Nature Conservancy's deed
conveying the Nelson Preserve to the
California State Parks Foundation. The
Conservancy is pleased to be able to transfer
this property to the Foundation as clearly
your organization will best be able to manage
the area in a manner that both protects and
enhances the natural beauty while allowing
the citizens of the Santa Clara Valley and the
entire State to benefit from its use.
In a current inquiry of The Nature Conservancy, the director
of its California Field Office, Steve McCormick, wrote on
August 10, 1988,
It is clear to me from reading the file that
the Conservancy's intention in accepting the
property and, eventually, conveying it to the
State Parks Foundation was that the land be
kept in the condition that existed when Frank
Nelson deeded the land to the Conservancy.
Our assumption, in conveying the land to the
Foundation, was that that organization would
maintain the open space, undeveloped quality
of the property.
For several years the California State Parks Foundation
operated the Saratoga Nature Center as a place of learning and
an area where visitors could simply enjoy nature. Here in a
small working orchard one could see apricots being grown and
processed as they were in the days when Santa Clara Valley was
one of the world's leading fruit growing regions. There was
also a small arboretum on the property and from the gazebo on
the hilltop one had a sweeping view of the valley and the
mountains beyond.
In a brochure about the Saratoga Nature Center put out by the
California State Parks Foundation there was the following
statement:
"A Link With.the Past
"There are still a few small islands of fruit
trees left in the valley. The Saratoga Nature
Center is one. This property has been donated
to preserve a portion of this once great fruit
M
4
growing region and to serve as an
educational center for senior citizens, school
children and the general public. Here the
care, growing and processing of apricots is
demonstrated. The area is of particular
interest because there is a small arboretum on
the property containing exotic plants and the
upper slopes, in natural vegetation, reflect
the ecology of the coastal mountains."
On March 1, 1984, The California State Parks Foundation deeded
Nelson Gardens to the Florence Nelson Foundation.
On August 10, 1988, Karen Anderson, Mayor, had a telephone
conversation with William Penn Mott, Jr., former head of the
California State Parks Foundation, in which the following
exchange took place:
Anderson: Why was the State Parks Foundation unable to
continue ownership?
Mott: The State Parks System had a concept back in
the 1970's to have many "Nature Interpretive
Parks" in local neighborhoods working in
conjunction with schools to teach children
about nature. Nelson Gardens fit this
concept perfectly since Frank Nelson wanted
a park for elders and children. The State
Parks Foundation's function was to acquire
the land for these parks, set them up, and
turn them over to the state for maintenance.
When the current administration took over in
Sacramento, less money was budgeted for parks
and the idea fell through. It was my job to
find suitable public bodies to take over these
little parks. I approached the county, school
district and city about Nelson Gardens. I
personally walked over the land with the
Planning Director from Saratoga who told me
that Saratoga would not be interested. I felt
I had to choice but to give it to the Nelson
Foundation.
Maintenance on this property was partially
supplied by the Nelson Foundation. For many
years the Board of the Nelson Foundation
urged Frank Nelson to sell this land but
Frank continued to insist that he wanted a
park there. While he was well, he prevailed.
0
Anderson: How recently have you talked to Frank Nelson
and what was your relationship?
Mott: I talked to Frank Nelson about two years ago.
He and I became friends over the years and I
used to visit him frequently. He and his wife
disagreed over what to do with the Nelson
Gardens so he used to have her leave the room
so we could talk. When I talked to him last,
in spite of the Board's desire to sell the
property, Frank still wanted it to be a public
facility, open space. I think Frank has just
gotten so old and tired that he's given up.
Anderson: What is your recommendation, knowing the
property as you do?
Mott: I think you would be foolish to give it up as
open space. Land is so hard to come by these
days. I think you would be sorry later.
Frank wanted a park where school children
could learn about apricot growing and
processing and where seniors could take quiet
walks.
August 3, 1987, The Florence Nelson Fou
City Council of the City of Saratoga to
of the Williamson Act Land Conservation
between Frank C. Nelson and the City of
on May 19, 1971.
eZ
adation petitionO the
approve cancellation
Contract entered into
Saratoga and recorded
Attachments: 1. Shumer Ranch aka Nelson Gardens
2. Nelson property sketch from the
Saratoga Nature Center brochure of
California State Parks Foundation.
SHUMER RANCH aka Nelson Gardens ano "Shady Oak. Glen"
Jrginally this ranch was part of the William A. Rice property, which
extended west from Saratoga- Sunnyvale Read, including the present
Foothill School site, and on up the hill. John ( 1834 -1874) and Susan
( 1830 -1917) Shumer came west and in 1881 bought a piece of the Rice
ranch. They raised prunes, apricots and cherries. In 1885 they owned
49 acres; 'later they added 15 -20 more acres. They called the hills
above the flat where their house was located the "hay hills" and that is
where the hearses and cows roamed. John Shumer was a retired miner from
Colorado who had been born In Chicago,
Illinois. He was known locally
as " Uncle John ". He served on the school board and he and his wife
were substantial supporters of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Shumer,
woo was born in Nova Scotia, loved flowers. Their place, known as
"Shady Oak Glen ", was one of Saratoga's garden show places. It was
situated beside a small stream fed by water from gullies from the
Gloyd-Dover properties. Native oaks and other trees, flowers and
shrubbery, all blended into a very picturesque garden. Susan Shumer's
gardener used to exchange plant cuttings with Sarah Winchester's
gardener! After Mrs. Shumer was widowed in 1874, her sister, Mrs.
Bailey and her two children Inez and Ireton, came out from New York to
be with her. Later Mrs. Shumer married a man named Mr. Stevens.
Edward Gloyd (1865 - 1953) came west from Ohio with his partner John Dover
in the early 1890's and settled in Saratoga. The Gloyd -Dover property
was above the Shumer Ranch. They planted mostly prunes, but also some
apricots, peaches and vines for "wine that giladdenth the heart of man ".
Ed Gloyd married Inez Bailey who was Susan Shumer's neice (Inez,. born in
New York City in 1883, had grown up on the Shumer Ranch since the age of
4) . About 1913 Edward and Inez Gloyd bought part of the Shumer Ranch.
They also awned other orchards in Saratoga. In 191: Susan Shumer
Stevens sold a small parcel of her land to Bruce Bonny. Until some time
in the 1950's Reid Lane was known as Shumer Read.
Frank Nelson's father who lived on the grand View Ranch above the Shumer
Ranch worked the orchards for John Shumer. (Frank. Nelson may have been
born on the Grand View Ranch.) Frank. left Saratoga after his school
years, but returned -arid bought the Shumer -Lloyd ranch property in the
late 19301s. Frank's sister, Ada Nelson lived on the ranch. In the
1940's Frank planted the Chinese Pistache trees that line the road.
These trees turn brilliant 'colors in the fall and many people come by to
enjoy them. In 1971 Frank Nelson put the property into the Williamson
Act, he also deedea the land to the Nature Conservancy with the hope
that "the preserve could be maintained as a model of traditional
agricultural land use in the Santa Clara valley for senior citizens,
school children and the general public, so people can be educated in the
way a working orchard operates ". In 1977 the property was transferred
from the Nature Conservancy to the California State Parks Foundation.
In 1994 it was deeded to the Florence Nelsen Foundation.
There are two houses on the property. The white one was built by Frank.
Nelsen in the 1930's for a summer house. The brown one was built in
the 1960's for Frank's sister Ada. The orginal Shumer farm house is
gone.
interviews: Dorothy Gloyd, July 1988
Mei It a Uden, July 1988
QaratoRa Story, R. V. Garrod
Property deeds
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hOYD AND DOVER
Among Saratoga's quiet, consistent workers for the better-
ment of the community, was Ed Gloyd. He came to Saratoga in
the early 1890's with his partner, John Dover, and together
they purchased forty acres of foothill land directly west of the
Saratoga Foothill School.
.Both Ed and John were the kind of men who were not satisfied
with the conditions that existed where they were born and raised,
in Dayton,.Ohio. Both were office men holding responsible.posi-
tions; Ed as a cashier for the Big Four _Railroad. The two of
them must have read Horace Greeley's "Go West, Young Man ". They
landed in San Francisco where they purchased a team of horses
and a buckboard, whereupon they went exploring.
Fate directed them to Saratoga just when the diciduous fruit
plantings were beginning to boom, so they purchased a forty -acre
plot and planted prunes, apricots, peaches and vines. Some of
the grapes from that vineyard were purchased by the E. H. Guppy
people who operated a winery-on Mt. Eden Road and turned them
into "wine that gladdeneth the heart of man ".
Along with his orchard operation, Ed's interest in civic
affairs got him elected as a school trustee in the Saratoga
School and for fifty years he was a faithful member of the Cuper-
tino bodge of the Odd Fellows, serving as their recording secre-
tary for thirty -five continuous years.
Adjoining the Gloyd and Dover orchard at the edge of the
valley was the then well known Shumer place. John and Susan
Shumer were old - timers there, having upurchased part of the pro-
perty owned by the parents of Allan Rice, one of Saratoga's early
pootmasters. John Shumer, known locally as Uncle -John, served on
the school board, and he and his wife were substantial supporters
of the Congregational Church.
Having a fondness for beautiful home surroundings, they made
their place one of Saratoga's garden show places, known as
"Shady Oak Glen ". lit was situated beside a-small water course
fed by water from gullies from the Gloyd -Dover properties. Native
oaks and other trees, flowers and shrubbery, all blended.-into a
very picturesque garden.
After Mrs..Shumer was widowed, her sister, Mrs. Bailey.and
her two children, Inez and Ireton, came.out from New York. The
children attended school with the Ri-ces, the Sages, the Russells,
the Lipscombe, Coxes, Hoggs, G.arrods, McCartys, Adairs, Gardners,
Cunninghams, McGuires, Fablingers, Williames, Johnsons,,Hustaches,
Seagraves, Poncias, Thcinpsons, Hutchinsons, Melones, Creff.ields,
Pendletons, Smiths, Marencos, Scotts, Warners, Wilsons, Masers,
Kerns Rodonis, Whalens, Boisserancs, Hattie Bolton Eudora Church
and Fiorence.Bartlett. The Hustede, Corpsteins, Bails,:'.Proctors,
all went to Lincoln School. When Mrs. Shumer's niece, Inez,
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blossomed into. pretty and charming womanhood, she caught Ed
Gloyd's eye, and they soon were married. At this time Ed sold
his share in the Gloyd -Dover properties to his partner John,
then he and his wife purchased other properties, one of which
was the Z. B. Husted place where they lived for many years but
which has long since been subdivided and covered with attrac-
tive homes.
The two of them found life very congenial and with time,
they became the parents of three children, two of which,
Dorothy Gloyd and Gertrude Bowie, are still living. I can't
leave out what was said of Gertrude and Adrian Bowie, for
'who would catch who' was always the chief topic of conversation
at the neighborhood dances which were held in the Garrod's fruit
house during the 1920's and 301s. These were unforgettable
events ranging from the speculation about Gertrude and Adrian,
to the tireless, smiling accordion player, Rocco Armento.
Another social event that went on for many years were
the card games participated in by Dan Regan, Herman Bracher,
Paul Jones, John Dover, Ed Gloyd and their wives.
One of the things Ed Gloyd managed for his family was a trip
back to Dayton, Ohio, the town of his birth. Ed's father -and
mother were still living at the time, but it was the year 1913
the year of the Dayton flood, and the Gloyds got the full benefit
of it. The womenfolk and children were taken from second story
windows by rowboats and when the boats returned, they had to take
the men from the .roof. The family was separated for five days
and when they were united again, they returned with haste to
Saratoga. Mrs. Gloyd died in 1953, and Ed followed her the next
year.
After the Gloyd -Dover partnership was dissolved John Dover
also married, whereupon he had four children. He finally
entered the I.O.O.F. home and passed away several years ago.
His forty acres were sold to Bruce Bonney, a San .Francisco jeweler
who sold it to Frank Abernathy, and he is turn sold it for sub-
division purposes. On its hillsides are beautiful homes with
an unsurpassed view of hills, valley and the south end of San
Francisco Bay. This area is in the thermal belt and above the
valley smog, so the.people who live here enjoy the kind of gracious
living that goes with ownership of such a location.
In 1900 Mrs. Shumer, then a widow, had a boarder by the name
of Bowers with a 24 years old son who soon left Saratoga and went
to the northwest, making his home in Portland. About twenty -five
years ago he got a yen for Saratoga prunes and other fruits and
nuts, so every fall he gets in his car and drives down here to
purchase these products. As long as the Gloyds had these products
he purchased from them, but in 1951 when they sold their orchard
Mrs. Gloyd told him to buy from me. This he has been doing ever
since until this year, 1961, when at age 85, he writes me he is
not driving - I am to ship his prunes by express.
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