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Willow Glen Parks: A Local Guide to Parks and Outdoor Spaces in San Jose
One of the things I love about living in Willow Glen is how many places there are to get outside without going far from home.
Whether you’re looking for a playground, tennis courts, a picnic spot, open grass for an afternoon outside, or simply somewhere to take a walk, Willow Glen and the surrounding area offer plenty of options.
Having lived in Willow Glen for more than two decades, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know this neighborhood. Here are several local parks worth knowing about if you live here, are visiting, or are considering buying a home in Willow Glen.
River Glen Park
1600 Parkside Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
River Glen Park is one of Willow Glen’s established neighborhood parks and covers approximately 9 acres. It’s a convenient outdoor space near the heart of the neighborhood and one of several parks associated with the Willow Glen Community Center.
It’s a great park to keep on your list when you want some outdoor time without leaving the neighborhood.
Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park
1320 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95125
Often simply called Bramhall Park, this is one of the larger and better-known parks in Willow Glen.
The 18-acre park includes two softball fields, two basketball courts, six unlighted tennis courts, playground areas for different age groups, picnic areas, restrooms and plenty of open space. Some picnic areas can also be reserved through the City of San José.
Its location near Willow Street also makes it convenient to combine a park visit with other stops around Willow Glen.
Lincoln Glen Park
Curtner Avenue & Radio Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Lincoln Glen Park is a smaller neighborhood park in Willow Glen. The City of San José identifies it as a developed park within the Willow Glen planning area, and it is also listed among the parks adjacent to the Willow Glen Community Center.
For residents nearby, it’s one of those useful neighborhood green spaces that doesn’t require turning an afternoon outside into a major excursion.
Wallenberg Park
Curtner Avenue & Cottle Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Wallenberg Park is another established Willow Glen park, covering approximately 7 acres according to the city’s park inventory.
The property is also home to the Wallenberg Community Garden, which has operated since 1981. The City of San José says the 1.25-acre organic community garden includes individual garden plots and is located on Wallenberg Park property.
Biebrach Park
Willow Glen area, San Jose, CA 95125
Biebrach Park is another established neighborhood park included within San José’s Willow Glen planning area. The city’s park inventory identifies it as approximately 5 acres.
This is another park I’d include when exploring the outdoor spaces around Willow Glen, particularly if you’re getting to know different parts of the neighborhood.
Kirk Park
Foxworthy Avenue area, San Jose
Kirk Park is approximately 4.5 acres and is also part of the broader Willow Glen planning area identified by the City of San José.
The Willow Glen Community Center currently includes Kirk Park among its nearby parks, along with Lincoln Glen, Wallenberg and River Glen.
Hummingbird Park
Fisk Avenue & Bird Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Hummingbird Park is one of Willow Glen’s smaller neighborhood green spaces.
At roughly 0.4 acres according to the city’s park inventory, it’s very different from larger destinations such as Bramhall Park.
That’s part of what makes Willow Glen’s park system interesting—you’ll find everything from substantial recreation areas to small neighborhood spaces tucked between residential streets.
Wilcox Park
Wilcox Way & Winona Drive, San Jose, CA 95125
Wilcox Park is another smaller neighborhood park, covering approximately 2 acres according to the city’s inventory. The City of San José currently lists the park at Wilcox Way and Winona Drive.
This is one correction I’d definitely make to the old article: the existing post gives the address as 1782 Wilcox Way, while the city’s current park directory identifies the location by the Wilcox Way and Winona Drive intersection.
Doerr Park
Potrero Drive & Park Wilshire Drive, San Jose, CA 95124
Doerr Park sits toward the southern side of the broader Willow Glen planning area and is one of the larger parks on this list.
The City of San José’s park inventory identifies Doerr Park as approximately 11.7 acres.
It’s another option worth exploring if you’re looking beyond the immediate 95125 area for parks and outdoor recreation.
More Ways to Get Outside in Willow Glen
Parks are only part of Willow Glen’s outdoor appeal.
Depending on where you are in the neighborhood, you’ll also find access to walking and biking routes, recreation programs and community facilities. The Willow Glen Community Center, for example, currently offers recreation and fitness programming and is located near several neighborhood parks.
And that’s one reason I think a park guide is useful when you’re getting to know Willow Glen: it gives you another way to explore the neighborhood beyond simply driving past houses.
Explore Willow Glen for Yourself
If you’re new to Willow Glen, pick a park you’ve never visited and go explore it.
Grab a coffee, take a walk, visit Lincoln Avenue afterward, or simply spend an afternoon seeing another part of the neighborhood.
And if you’re considering buying or selling a home in Willow Glen, I can help you understand the local real estate market and explore available properties throughout 95125, 95124 and the surrounding San Jose area.
Michelle Elliott
Willow Glen Resident & Local Real Estate Professional
Coldwell Banker Realty
CalRE #01777533
GET YOUR FREE HOME SELLING BOOK
About the Author – Michelle Elliott
With over 20 years of experience navigating the fast-paced Silicon Valley market, I provide a strategic, results-driven approach to residential real estate. My career is built on a foundation of deep local expertise and a relentless commitment to my clients’ success, resulting in over $235 million in lifetime sales volume and a consistent ranking in the top 3% of agents in Santa Clara County and top 2% at Coldwell Banker. My expertise has been featured on KTVU Fox 2, Real Producers and the Willow Glen Resident. She is also the co-host of the San Jose Podcast “Say What You Want About Real Estate”
A Hyper-Local Expert with Global Reach
I specialize in San Jose, in the neighborhoods of Willow Glen (95125 & 95124) Cambrian Park and Almaden, Downtown San Jose/Japantown (95112) markets. As a certified Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty, I combine high-end marketing strategies with granular neighborhood knowledge to help my clients achieve premium results.
The “Tiger” at the Negotiating Table
My clients have characterized me as a “tiger” at the negotiating table who remains “sweet and patient” with my clients throughout the process. I pride myself on being a fierce advocate for my buyers and sellers, ensuring the best possible terms in every transaction, and I strive to be the best Realtor in 95125! This balance, drive, and tenacity have earned me consistent 5-star ratings across Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Yelp.
Michelle Elliott
Michelle@michelleelliottrealtor.com
1712 Meridian Ave, Ste C, San Jose, CA
DRE 01777533
