Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Martial Cottle Park

I'm very excited that a new Park, the Martial Cottle Park, is coming to an area near my home. It will focus on preserving a bit of history of the Santa Clara Valley. The valley was once promoted as the  "Valley of the Hearts Delight", after two centuries of an agricultural economy started by the Spanish missionaries. Over time the focus in the valley shifted from agriculture, including many orchards, to technology. We are very fortunate that Mr. Walter Cottle Lester generously gifted some of this special property to the County of Santa Clara in combination with the State of California for the purpose of a community park. The park is named after Mr. Lester's grandfather. 

8 comments:

Unknown said...

This is very pretty, and a lovely story! I also love the beach scene below! the lines are especially pleasing to the eye, and the blending of one color into the other is wonderfully done!

Teresa said...

Lovely, delicate painting Claire!

Hugs,
T

Cheryl Gebhart said...

Beautiful sketch and how nice to have it close to your home.

Laure Ferlita said...

What a wonderful gift to the community and I love the open airy feel of the sketch! Valley of the Hearts Delight is a delightful description...

Kathy A. Johnson said...

What a beautiful painting, Claire, and wonderful story behind the valley. Hopefully you'll be able to sketch at the new park, too.

BARBARA WEEKS said...

Gorgeous! I hope you get to often sketch there to your "heart's delight".
What a generous gift!

Katiejane said...

I'm so happy for you. I'm always pleased when land is destined to become a park. This is a lovely painting of your future treasure.

Sarah Melling said...

Thanks for informing me about this park, Claire! I thought I knew about most of the goings-on here in San Jose, but this lovely news escaped me. How wonderful that a new park is being born instead if land being gobbled up for developing. I hope the park's organizers see your lovely painting and post.