Los Gatos, California, September 15, 2007 – Children of today’s digital age are becoming foreign to outdoor activities, which can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health. Parks are a place where children and families have healthy outdoor fun together. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County’s South West Community Partnership and Redwood Estates Service Association invited the public to celebrate the Grand Opening of Friendship Park—a universally accessible park located in the Los Gatos Unincorporated Mountain Area at Redwood Estates.

Grand Opening activities were held Saturday, September 15, 2007 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at 21450 Madrone Drive, Los Gatos, California. Attendees included: First 5 Commissioners Cora Tomalinas, Eleanor Villareal, Margo Dutton, Cathy Boetcher and Kim Roberts. FIRST 5 staff in attendance included: Jolene Smith, Cathy Andrade, Charlene Della Maggiore, Laura Buzo, Dawn Bussey and Fernando Joffre. The Redwood Estates Service Association previously know as Redwood Mutual Water Company, Redwood Estates Community Club and South West Community Partnership Members including original members representing the Los Gatos Mountain Area, Evan Lloyd and Jennifer La Force, were also in attendance.

Highlights of the events included: The FIRST 5 Van handing out free bookmarks for kids along with information for families with children ages 0-5, The South West Community Partnership Resource Table and special guest appearance by Winnie the Pooh. The Redwood Estates Community Club Tile Table was another way in which the community had an opportunity to participate. This fund raiser brought the community together to create handprint tiles constructing a toddler wall where the tiles will be imbedded. The wall will be a place where families can sit and watch their children.

Attendees were particularly impressed with the new play equipment. A small climbing wall, slides, swings, accessible ramps for wheel chairs, tractor shovels and a cute tug boat in the center of the playground make this a popular spot for young children.

The park officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Acknowledgements were given to Don Peters, Redwood Estates Service Association, for his dedication and commitment on this project and a thank you to Charlene Della Maggiore, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County.

Be sure to visit Friendship Park in Los Gatos!