Backesto Park

Backesto Park is a historic urban green space located in the Northside neighborhood of San Jose, California. Spanning approximately 10-11 acres, this park has been a community fixture for over 75 years. It was established in 1890 when Anne Backesto donated $30,000 to the City of San Jose to create a park in memory of her late husband, John Pierre Backesto, a prominent 19th-century San Jose physician.

The park is home to a notable tiled memorial fountain dedicated to the Backesto family. Installed in 1922, this fountain holds the distinction of being the oldest existing structure created by the renowned Californian tile producer, Solon and Schemmel Tile Company.

Backesto Park serves as a central gathering place for the community, offering a variety of recreational facilities and green spaces. It provides residents with opportunities for sports, leisure activities, and community events. The park's tennis courts were renamed in 2017 to honor Don Johnson, a local community leader and tennis coach, further cementing its role in local history and community engagement.

Throughout the year, Backesto Park hosts various community events. One of the most notable is the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival, which attracts thousands of artists, students, vendors, and community members for a vibrant celebration of chalk art.