Accomplishments

Creation of the Neighborhood Association

In November of 2023, a group of residents began meeting to discuss the needs of our neighborhood and plan for a celebration to acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Burrell Park development. As we began to plan for the Centennial Celebration and pursue needed improvements, the group recognized that it would need to form a non-profit to become a legitimate entity. Elise Stassart took on this project, establishing By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation and submitting the paperwork to establish our 501 (3) (c) status.

Elise Stassart, VP for the Burrell Park Neighborhood Association, reads the commemorative plaque presented by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Dev Davis, former District 6 representative, is shown on the right. Katherine Burrell (center), a descendant of the Burrell family accepted the plaque on behalf of the Burrell family.

The Burrell Park Centennial Celebration

On August 24, 2023, we held our Centennial Celebration that included:

· Two Neighborhood Walking Tour conducted by Gayle Frank of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ).

· Music from saxophonist, Mike Mendozza, and The Thelves Band; musicians that have grown up in the neighborhood.

· A ceremony led by Elise Stassart, included the presentation of a commemorative plaque from Mayor Matt Mahan, to Katherine Burrell, granddaughter of the developer, Frank L. Burrell. In addition, there were speeches from Dev Davis, District 6 Councilwoman, the two candidates for the office, Michael Mulchay, and Oliva Navarro. Michael Sodergren, president of PAC*SJ and Dave Moulton, owner of the Burrell School Vineyards also spoke.

· A tour of four homes for Associate members, including the first home in the development that has recently been restored, the art deco home, a recently remodeled home with exquisite woodworking, and a home with furniture and appliances from the 1920’s era.

· Exhibits of the fashion, historical maps and news from the neighborhood, along with a red 1932 Henry ford Roadster.

· A booth representing PAC*SJ.

· Children activities and a Taco and Icee truck.

Many from the neighborhood attended, mingled and had a great time. Many visitors also attended including past residents, and neighbors in period costume, from Park Court, who celebrated their Centennial a month later.

We are grateful for all who helped make this event possible, from the donors, the neighbors who volunteered their time, energy, talents and furniture, the speakers, the musicians, the vendors, the city employees who helped to arrange for the event, the Burrell family and all the attendees

For more on this celebration, check out Gayle Frank’s article

Traffic Island Improvement

After months of pestering the City of San Jose, the BPNA was successful in getting the city to move the traffic sign to the island and adding directional arrows to the street at the intersection of Burrell Ct and Dana St.