The Milpitas Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Commission (PRCRC) recently voted to name our city’s two newest parks, still in development, after two people who were important to our city’s development in very different eras and ways.
The Stories of Milpitas Parks:
New Park Named for Bob McGuire:
First Director of Parks and Recreation
Bob McGuireThe first park is to be named after Bob McGuire. Mr. McGuire (1930–2012) was the first Director of Parks and Recreation for Milpitas (1964–1980), was active in the community, was voted Citizen of the Year in 1986, and was a longtime member of the PRCRC. He is the late husband of our current Events Director Harriett McGuire.
After he retired, he served on the Santa Clara County Grand Jury in 1992, and was elected Milpitas Director for the Open Space Authority for two terms. The amphitheater at the Community Center is also dedicated to him. He was one of the founding members and a steadfast supporter of the Milpitas Historical Society, serving as President and Vice President of the Society.
The park named for Bob McGuire will be a three-acre area included with multi-unit housing developments that are being built north of developments going in north of South Milpitas Boulevard and Montague Expressway. It will feature tennis courts, a small community center building and an outdoor amphitheater.
The PRCRC also voted to name another, much smaller, new park in honor of Capt. Calvin Valpey. Read more about Captain Valpey.
mhs November 2015
BobMcGuire Park Opening on Oct 1, 2016
The opening of the park dedicated to the memory of Milpitas’ first Parks and Recreation Director (1964–80), Bob McGuire, was held on Saturday, October 1. Bob McGuire was one of the founding members of the Milpitas Historical Society, and a past President and Vice President.
The 3-acre park named in his honor is part of a developing residential area north of South Milpitas Blvd. and Montague Expwy. It features tennis courts, an outdoor amphitheater, and a community center building dedicated to longtime community leader Sal Cracolice. The opening was attended by family members of both honorees and many community leaders.
Shown above: speaking at the podium of the amphitheater is Harriett McGuire, Bob McGuire’s wife, currently a member of the Milpitas Historical Society’s Board of Directors. From the left, in the photo are sons Mike McGuire, who also spoke, Glen McGuire; then City Manager Tom Williams and Mayor Jose Esteves. On the right, is Vice Mayor Carmen Montano.
In the photo above, city officials prepare to cut the ribbon marking the opening of the Sal Cracolice Recreation Facility.