Everett Alvarez Jr. Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Henry Schmidt Park Thomas Barrett Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Everett Alvarez Jr.

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Summary

Park is a beautiful park located in the city of Santa Clara, California. The park is named after Everett Alvarez Jr., who was the first Navy pilot to be shot down and taken as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. The park is a perfect destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and history buffs.

One of the main attractions of the park is the playground area, which is great for kids of all ages. There are also picnic areas, basketball courts, and a baseball field. The park is surrounded by a walking trail, which is perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. There are several benches along the trail, providing a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.

The park also features a memorial to Everett Alvarez Jr. The memorial includes a plaque with a brief biography and a statue of Alvarez in his Navy uniform. The memorial is a great way to pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of the Vietnam War veterans.

One interesting fact about the park is that it was once the site of the Agnews State Hospital, which was a state-run facility for the mentally ill. The hospital was closed in 1972, and the land was later converted into the park.

The best time of year to visit Everett Alvarez Jr. Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. The park is open year-round and admission is free. Overall, Everett Alvarez Jr. Park is a beautiful and peaceful place for a family outing or a solo stroll, and a great way to pay homage to a true American hero.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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