Parks and Recreation

Embarcadero Road Pedestrian Bridge and Bike Path

Palo Alto, CA
Client: City of Palo Alto
  • Pedestrian / Bike Path adjacent to the Caltrain railroad tracks.
  • Bridge crossing of Embarcadero Road
  • PS&E for bike path alignment, drainage, safety lighting, fencing
This project included the design of a bike path which parallels the Caltrain railroad tracks from Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto to the south end of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation facility. The pathway route included a bridge crossing of Embarcadero Road and runs through properties belonging to the Palo Alto Unified School District, Stanford University, and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation facility right-of-way. HMH also prepared the PS&E for bike path alignment, drainage, safety lighting, fencing and construction services.

Willow Glen Spur Trail

San Jose, CA
Client: City of San Jose
  • First segment for a new major trail connection
  • Coordinated trail location with City of San Jose and project developer
  • Provided signage and monumentation for trail users
  • Landscape design incorporated drought tolerant plant species
The starting point of the long anticipated Willlow Glen Spur Trail, this segment brought the opportunity to provide future connectivity to the City's Trail Program, eventually linking to the Los Gatos Creek Trail, Guadalupe River Trail, and HWY 87 Bikeway Trail. Many design issues were addressed including future trail alignments, accessibility, flooding concerns and the preservation of mature redwood trees. Running quaintly along a new residential development constructed in an abandoned railway easement, this trail has many wonderful features including canopy trees, exciting views, and way finding markers.

Vanderbilt Public Park

Santa Clara, CA
Client: City of Santa Clara
  • New 1 acre city park
  • Stand of mature Chinese Pistache trees retained
  • Multiage play structures and semi active turf area
  • Park design accommodates major utility crossing and emergency access
This new one acre city park will provide new recreational opportunities to a new community in Santa Clara and an existing neighborhood in San Jose. Many of the utility connections for the future project are routed through this park so careful planning and coordination was needed to minimize conflicts. The park amenities will include a tot lot, game tables, picnic tables and semi active turf area. A stand of mature Chinese Pistache trees will provide immediate shade for the picnic area being located under the canopy.

Santa Clara Senior Center

Santa Clara, CA
Client: Prodis Architects / City of Santa Clara
  • Expansion included a 3,000 sq. ft. fitness area
  • New addition houses a 7,000 sq. ft. indoor pool
  • Landscape design included numerous courtyards
  • Existing trees were retained and designed around
  • Irrigation design included reclaimed water criteria
HMH provided Landscape design and construction documents for a large expansion of the Santa Clara Senior Center. This project incorporated the retention of existing landscape features such as a rose garden and mature specimen trees along with new plantings. Other amenities included a new pool and several outdoor courtyards. One of these courtyards was not accessible by the public but could be viewed from inside the structure; decorative pots filled with gravel gave a sculpture element to this area.

San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail

Santa Clara, CA
Client: City of Santa Clara
  • Monroe Staging Area provides parking and access to Reach 3 and 4
  • Incorporated water quality treatment measures into the landscape design
  • Trail extension to the south boarders county Expressway
  • Civil and Landscape Design was sensitive to creek environment
  • Configuration needed to allow for seasonal sale activities to occur
A hub and critical piece of the San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail System, the Monroe Staging Area continues the trail and provides parking for the staging of multiple activities in the adjacent parcel. The asphalt multi-use trail includes signing and striping, directional and interpretive signs, drainage systems, fencing and railings. The HMH team worked closely with the City in the preparation of conceptual design alternatives all the way through the completion of a comprehensive construction document package. HMH continued it’s close relationship and open communication with the City throughout construction bidding and construction observation periods.

St Elizabeth Park

San Jose, CA
Client: City of San Jose
  • New 1 acre city park adjacent to new residential community
  • Provided needed park space to neighborhood
  • New multiage play structures and active turf area
  • Custom arbor design in picnic area
A long abandoned corner of this neighborhood was turned into a new one acre city park with the development of a residential condominium project. Working with the City of San Jose, HMH provided landscape architectural design and construction document services for the park. Amenities include a new tot lot for multiple age groups, a large open turf area and a picnic area with two custom arbor structures. Sitting areas and game tables are placed in key areas with one being located near a large oak tree that was preserved on site.