Chris Hotts Park

Chris Hotts Park (CH) is a pretty uninspiring, thin ½-​acre Neighborhood Park that’s hidden away at the north end of the Almaden Valley behind some low-​income apartments. It’s named after a former San José Teacher of the Year recipient, who also happened to work for former Councilmember Pat Dando. There is park access from Almaden Expwy but the only street parking is on the side-​street off Via Monte. Here are the features of CH:
1) Trail Access– The park is adjacent to the Guadalupe Creek Trail and the Los Capitancillos Percolation Ponds, but you can also cross Almaden Expwy and get to the Upper Guadalupe River Trail and Almaden Lake Park.
2) Playground and Tot Lot.
3) BBQ Pits and Picnic Tables.
4) No restrooms.
5) Lots of shade.
Other than the Trail Access and the close proximity to Almaden Lake there’s just not much going for this park. My 3-​year-​old was pretty bored with it after ½-​hour and I can’t imagine any kid older than 1.5−2 really getting much out of it. Even the local denizens ignore this park. The two times I visited it was a total Ghost Town. So, I’m not really sure what’s the point of it. I guess it’s better than an empty lot?