St. James Park

I know that this is a Historical Park, but I wish the City of San Jose would just sell it! I hear people say the homeless hang out there, but the real fact is there is nothing there but drug addicts hanging out! It’s not a safe Park to take your children! It’s just a waste of tax money for what little maintenance the city does to it. The police are there every day, and not for social visits. This park just sucks!

would give one star, but then I remembered that I’ve never been attacked by a bum with an AIDS infected needle here (yet), so I’ll give an extra star…
This is where you meet the crème de la crème…

You know that park, the one that tries really hard to be something it’s not? That’s how I feel about this park.
This park wants so hard to be a community space with cool stuff going on for all age groups. In reality this park is a dirty, litter strewn big lounge area for downtowns more shady side. It’s not just the homeless, it’s the maniacal screaming folks shouting at air, the obviously strung out druggies waking from their fog… the list can go on. I don’t have issues with these folks, but when I’m invited to a «musical time with babies» by the San Jose library… it would be great to feel safe.
And on a side note, the San Jose library baby music in the park needs some huge improvements. I would start first with not having babies on a tarp on wood chips. And the tarp so small it can’t accommodate a small turnout. (Among many other complaints about this event I won’t post here).
Which brings me to my next point… I tried to sit on the grass and as I moved to a shady spot and looked down to put my blanket, the grass was littered with cigarette butts everywhere. In no world would I put my baby down on cigarette butt littered grass!!! Totally gross!!!
The next grassy area I tried to find (I was only waiting for a friend which is why I hadn’t bolted yet) was covered in grass wasps. Ugh!!!
Seriously, don’t come here with your babies.

This is one of the bigger parks in downtown SJ. The park is good for events, I’ve been here for a few concerts. The park is usually cleaned up really well before those. Otherwise I don’t like coming here too often.
There’s always homeless people loitering. Drug deals happen left and right. My friend buys his drugs here. I wouldn’t bring my kids here unless I didn’t care if they heard mentally ill people cursing at themselves.

San Jose Fountain Blues Festival moved to Saint James Park this year, and it was a blast. I heard things about the park before, but it was beautiful and well kept. I’d be happy if the festival comes back. By the way, Tommy Castro was awesome, and the other acts were all great. If you’ve never been, look for it next summer in the Metro.

Always such a creepy place to walk past even in broad daylight. There are always homeless people loitering around the park and sleeping in various places around the park. I’ve seen a homeless guy talking to himself and walking in an odd pattern when in the park.
It almost feels like there’s boundaries within the park. If you’re walking on the sidewalk, you’re ok, just hurry up and past through the park but if you step into the park it’s almost like you’re fair game to be harassed.
Not a park that I’d recommend people to bring their family or kids to.

I feel really sad and nervous when I’m near here. My boyfriend almost parked right next to the park but I told him to go a little ways down instead because isn’t a friendly place. The reason I feel sad is because there are a lot of individuals who are homeless sleep and hang out here and I really wish there was more that could be done for them, although I know that many don’t accept help for whatever reason. There is a huge stigma against people who are homeless and this place obviously isn’t helping, based on some other comments I’ve read here.
As a woman, and a person in general, I do not feel safe being near this park. I know that most people who are homeless are absolutely harmless so I’m not so scared of that, but it isn’t just them that occupy this park. The part that scares me is the drugs and other illegal activity that go on in the park. People who take drugs can be really unpredictable and scary.
It’s very sad to me.

Well, a great location for a blues festival. Good weather, good food, and good beer combined with good music. Come early and bring a blanket and your lawn chairs — invite your friends, too.

This park is short walk from my home and it has a memorials to President McKinley and Robert Kennedy both of whom spoke in this park. What is missing from the park is any plaque to it’s most notorious event. CORRECTION: On a plaque describing the history of St. James Park, the lynching is mentioned. I still think it deserves a plaque of its own.
The lynching of two white men that occurred in 1933. They were accused of kidnapping and killing Brooke Hart, the 22 year old son of the owner of Hart Department Store a beloved San Jose institution at the time. A mob of thousands overtook the park and battled with police for several hours. Then after 11pm a time already agreed upon, a select group of men found the perfect instrument, a long thick pipe and used it to break open the jailhouse door.
The governor of California and some local officials appeared to condon this vigilante activity and once it happened, the event become taboo for the City of San Jose for decades to come. A great book is written about the events called, «Swift Justice» by Harry Farrell a long time San Jose Mercury writer.
It’s been more than 80 years now. Isn’t it time San Jose acknowledge the truth, honor ALL its history even what is ugly and memorialize one of the biggest historical events in the city’s history?

It’s not a safe place to visit. As many other Unilocalers have mentioned, there are many homeless who live in the park. There’s also lots of daily drug deals and other illegal activities happening on a regular basis. I visit the park every day since my office is across the street, so, I can tell you that there’s bi-​weekly assaults in the park and that, people have actually been killed. This happened during the night several months ago.
I’m giving them two stars because they do host concerts during the summer and other periodic events that are opened to the public.

This park and the surrounding area has some history. It’s very sad it’s the way, it is!
St James park is centrally located in San Jose, just North from Downtown.
This park has so much potential and it has been taken over by the homeless and vagrants. Making it hard for family to bring their kids her to play.
Historically
On May 12, 1901, President McKinley gave a speech here, on the exact location which his statue stands.
Then give’em enough rope
In 1933, 2 were hung in the park with over 5000 spectators. That’s one of the darkest events that occurred here.
But
There is a light rail station here if you need to take public transportation. Once in a great while, there will be an event of some sort hosted here.
My dog enjoys his walk around the perimeter of the park so he can sniff and do his business.

St. James Park is worse than Peoples Park, an old park known for it’s squatters in Berkeley. As another reviewer mentioned its the closest to «Hobo Encampment» I have ever seen.
It’s chock full of people sleeping, bags and carts of clothes, and monuments covered in dirty belongings. Today the smell walking by was enough to make me cross the street.
I don’t know why anything isn’t done for the people who nest here. Because it’s as if the city is saying, «Come, lay here, but we’re not going to give you a roof, or walls, or a bathroom.» C’mon San Jose, where are the resources for these people?
I’m not sure why they don’t bulldoze the park and build low income apartments. What’s the use of it being a park? I wouldn’t attend any sort of event here. I doubt very highly they wash the grass.

This park has potential. Now whether the councilman saying they were trying to revitalize the park was just spouting campaign promises or actually has a plan is yet to be seen.
I’ve you’ve ever taken the light rail, or even first street to downtown, you have probably gone past St. James park, and your initial thought is Hobo Encampment. Which is a shame because in Spring, with the trees in bloom, this park is absolutely gorgeous. And while generally the homeless population keep to themselves, there is that mindset that taking your kids to a homeless filled park isn’t exactly fun.
However, with San Jose broke and them looking for new revenue generating opportunities, it is hard to beat local events at parks. Caesar Chavez Park is a great location, but not the biggest. St. James is larger (I believe) and as it is on the edge of Downtown, which offers a less cluttered environment.
I enjoyed the Dia de los Muertos event here, though like the San Jose Renaissance Festival, the beer area was quarantined off, which I find odd, but might be a city ordinance or something. Got to see someone eat 101 tacos in 8 minutes!

A fountain without water, grass with patches, and overall just a «meh» kind of place. The location is decently located on the edge of downtown, and it’s spacious with work-​out equipment and an alright jungle gym. During summer they were having food trucks and little games in the middle of the week. It’s not terrible, but there are much prettier outside areas to lounge at fairly nearby.
However, the reviews that act like you are going to get attacked by a crackhead hobo here are a little overdramatic. Yes, the park is full of various sorts of people — but they’re usually just chilling at the park like anyone else would. This past summer I walked through the park almost everyday, including at night, and never once had a scary or uncalled for experience. There are people laying on blankets, talking to their friends, working out — which is what a park is for, a community to gather. So let ‘em be!

HOMELESS encampment, let me repeat, homeless encampment. This park is fill with homeless people sitting on the bench all day. Don’t be shock you see someone urinated in the middle of the park. Park use to have a restroom, the homeless population was so bad, they removed the restroom.
I never seen kids at this park. I hope I never do. If the City clean up the park, it can be a nice park to have lunch. Unfortunately, it’s been like this for quite some time.
Park is very close to downtown and attracts many visitors. I just hope this is not the image they leave with them of San Jose.

After spending a portion of most Saturdays here for the past few months, I can say that a little piece of my heart lives in this park.
It’s got some daunting history too, if my memory serves me properly. St James park was the location of California’s last lynching, where two men were hanged for the murder of a San Jose businessman’s son.
But enough of that dark nonsense.
This park’s in a great location, right in the middle of downtown. Directly connected to the VTA light rail, sharing one corner with the post office, another corner with the San Jose Athletic Club, and just a stone’s toss away from Good Karma vegan deli, there’s plenty to do around the park.
From within the park, there’s a playground that’s well kept and looks pretty new, though I’ve no idea how old it is.
Benches and tall trees are scattered about, offering a spot to sit beneath the shade.
It’s unfortunate the big fountain here is out of commission and rusting away. But this is where Food Not Bombs serves homemade vegetarian food to the hungry each week. Nom!
And hungry there are. It’s true that there are quite a few homeless people who take refuge in this park. Some of them are more outspoken than others, but the majority of them want nothing more than to leave you alone, or smile and say hello.
I’ve never felt unsafe in this park, even walking through it at night. And if my experience doesn’t give you peace of mind, the local police department is about a mile away, so they frequent the area as well.
Great location for music events too.

its a homeless encampment… i think it needs to be revived… i rarely see children there anymore and heck, i’ve seen hammocks, loose pets and even seen individuals just outright using there…
not safe… not safe at all… San Jose, clean up please!

THIS IS A REVIEW for MUSIC IN THE PARK 2013 not on St James Park purely. Came here for music in the park. I went 3 years ago with my partner to listen to regaee music. It was free back then and the crowd was happening. This time however, there is a fee. $ 10 I believe. Not worth it at all in my opinion. This is something that should be free or at least if you are going to charge, start at $ 5. There were not that many people and the music was not as exciting. Ozomatli. We actually left early because it was just too boring. They now have fences and gates to block outsiders. Pretty darn empty inside. It was sad to see that those who wanted to enjoy this previously free community event to park their lounge chairs on the outside. No fun san jose… make it free again or at least make it cheaper to draw in more people.

A little park tucked away in San Jose. Came here for Music in the Park, and it was a great space. It was small but not limiting to the event. Overall, a good space, and I could see spending an afternoon here to relax in the sun.

Holy jeez. What can you say about this place? It’s basically the Arena Green on steroids, only without all the cool features that make that place at least worth checking out. Ya, it’s got some historical value, cool statues and yada yada. If you want history get a book and avoid this dump. I have compiled a thorough list of people who should visit this park:
1) Crazy people
2) People with a Death Wish
3) People looking to pick up a hooker
4) People looking to sell/​buy drugs
If none of those listed above match your description then I would avoid this place like a ham sandwich on Yom Kippur. The only reason to visit this place was the community center that used to be located inside the park, but that has been moved to nearby Roosevelt. Now the only reason is to park and get yourself a fantastic sammich from the Freshly Baked Eatery next door, and then hit the road.