San Jose Standard

The City of San José is pleased to announce the grand opening of Payne Avenue Friendship Park, a 1.9-acre neighborhood park in District 1. The park is designed to be a hub for community engagement and recreation, featuring a variety of amenities for residents to enjoy.

According to the City of San José, the park is set to become a cherished play, garden, and recreation place for all. Rosemary Kamei, Vice Mayor and Councilmember for District 1, expressed the significance of this new park, stating, "For many years, the City has been searching for a property suitable for park development within Council District 1."

The development of Payne Avenue Friendship Park aligns with the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) ActivateSJ Strategic Plan, which aims to have a park within a 10-minute walk of all residents. Jon Cicirelli, Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department, highlighted the collaborative efforts that went into making the park a reality, stating, "The construction of Payne Avenue Friendship Park began in January 2023 and concluded in April 2024, and is the fruit of collaborative efforts from dedicated partners and active engagement from the local community."

The park boasts various features, including a community garden, an open turf for play, a new farm-themed playground for different ages, shade structures, a walking loop, exercise equipment, and a court. Additionally, amenities such as picnic tables, benches, game tables, a drinking fountain, and bike racks are available for the community to use.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit Payne Avenue Friendship Park and take advantage of the opportunities for recreation and socialization it offers. For more information about PRNS parks and facilities, interested individuals can visit www.sanjoseca.gov/prns and follow @sjparksandrec on social media for updates.