I have probably passed by Brigantino Park several thousand
times coming into Hollister from San Juan Bautista. The park is located just west
of the 4th Street Bridge off the Highway 156 Business route leading
into town, but until last Friday, I had never stopped to check it out. Guess
what, folks? It’s a jewel!
I had about thirty minutes to kill in between appointments in
town and I really felt like stretching my legs, so I pulled into the parking
area to see what the park had to offer. From the road, it appears to be just a
large, undeveloped green space. I was looking for a walking path, hopefully
with some nice views. Brigantino Park did not disappoint.
Looping around multiple acres of thick, freshly mown green grass
atop an elevated, level river terrace, is a wide, crushed-gravel trail about a
mile in length. It offers long views of the Diablo Range to the east and a
glimpse of the San Benito River between town and the park. The trail steps up
to another elevated river terrace on the west side of the park, flanking the
base of the oak-covered Flint Hills. On a brilliant, sunny Good Friday
afternoon, I saw just three other small groups of walkers enjoying the scenery
and getting in their exercise. This was exactly what the doctor ordered, a
chance to walk and breathe and soak in the quiet, peaceful beauty of a perfect San
Benito County Spring day.
Brigantino Park, which opened just in the last decade, is in
the early stages of development by the City of Hollister. Currently, there are clean
porta-cans and picnic tables spaced evenly around the perimeter, a large,
fenced parking area, benches and shade trees along the path, and adequate
signage to let you know where your boundaries are and what you need to be aware
of. Future plans call for construction of soccer and softball fields in the
park.
This is a perfect place to go for a walk or a run on your
lunch hour or to take the family for a picnic and playtime. The benefits of
unscheduled, uncrowded free play for children have been well documented. Bring
a soccer ball or a Frisbee for instant fresh-air fun, romping in the lush,
green grass. Let them organize themselves and see what happens or get in there
yourself to mix it up with them. The point of having a park is to recreate. Go
get some sunshine. Run out of breath. Fall down, get up, laugh, and shout for
joy, get some grass stains on your britches. That’s what parks are for.
Brigantino Park, at 2037 San Juan Road in Hollister, is open
from 8 a.m. to sundown every day. The fenced-in parking lot is locked at night
and overnight camping is not permitted. Pets should be leashed in the park.
Waste bags for pets are provided at the parking lot. Currently, the water in
the park is not potable, so bring your own drinking water. And please my friends,
do not litter.
Peace, Love, and Pocket Parks,
Jim
Location
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