Pellier Park

Pellier Park is a 0.5-acre city park located in San Jose, California, situated in close proximity to San Pedro Square. The park holds significant historical importance as it was once the site of City Gardens, a nursery established by Louis Pellier in 1850. Pellier, a native of France, is renowned as the pioneer of California's prune industry.

The park's design pays homage to Louis Pellier and the agricultural heritage of Santa Clara Valley. When viewed from above, Pellier Park is shaped like a plum, symbolizing the French prune that Pellier introduced to the region. The central "pit" of the plum-shaped layout delineates a common gathering space and grove. Circulation paths and seating areas form the "flesh" of the plum, while tree-lined berms act as "leaves," buffering the park from traffic noise and pollution. A northward paseo of flowering trees represents the "stem" of the plum.

Reopened to the public on October 18, 2023, after extensive renovations, Pellier Park features layers of palms and shade trees along its periphery, with drifts of flowering trees running through the center. The park's design incorporates elements that educate visitors about the area's agricultural history. A "storytelling wall" along the northern edge of the park narrates the tale of the Pellier family, the region's agricultural history, and memories shared by the community.

In the evening, custom lighting features inspired by the grafting process of prune clippings onto rootstock illuminate the grove with a soft, purple glow. This unique lighting design adds to the park's ambiance and further emphasizes its historical significance.

Pellier Park serves as a green oasis in the rapidly growing North San Pedro area of downtown San Jose. It is part of a string of three new urban parks designed to enhance health, connectivity, and civic life in the city's expanding downtown region.