Looking to the eastside of San Jose from the center of town you can see a break in the smoothness of the camel-hair hills. Lines of oak trees trickle down each side of this crease like lazy waterfalls and there in the middle, deep in that recess is Alum Rock Park.

Local memory and regional history tells of a time when this park was a main attraction in the area.  Families drove to the park to enjoy the shade of tall oaks , the coolness of acres of lawn, fountains that oozed mineral water and the huge indoor swimming pool.

When my father first moved us to San Jose in 1952 we lived on White Road. Later my mom moved us to Selby Lane just below the park. Daddy choose the eastside because of the cool breezes that blew along the brown hills down from San Francisco on hot summer days. These made Alum Rock Park a sanctuary for the overheated during July and August.

By the time I was old enough to think of Alum Rock Park as my own special island it was beginning to decline. For a time it became the haven of gangs and took on an ominous reputation. Sadly today the main road into the park off Alum Rock Avenue has been permanently closed. Now the only auto access into this neglected Eden is what I always called 'the back way', Penitencia Creek Road.

Still I remember days when wading up Penitencia Creek to the park was near to perfection. Picnics and lazy swing rides nearer still to heaven. The old zoo that housed the bear, gibons and peacocks is gone and all that remains are parking spaces and pictures but once she was truly a treasure to all and for those of us who had the opportunity to come willingly under her spell, she will always remain our paradise.

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