Martial Cottle Park
Welcome to Martial Cottle Park. This urban park celebrates our shared agricultural past and highlights innovations in modern organic, sustainable, and urban farming practices. Throughout the park’s 287 acres, visitors can enjoy aspects of a traditional urban park, such as trails, green space, and picnic areas, and learn the Cottle family’s story and how agriculture remains an integral part of this historic ranch. All of this comes with an emphasis on organic farming, incorporating the latest water conservation techniques and ongoing community education. Learn more about the history of Martial Cottle Park at our Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center.
View Park Entrance
Park office: (408) 535-4060
Hours and fees
For up-to-date trail closures, please call the trail hotline at (408) 355-2200 and press 3.
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset. The Martial Cottle visitor center hours vary depending on volunteer availability. Call (408) 535-4060 before your visit to find out if the visitor center is open.
Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round. An hourly fee is also available; see the current hourly rate at the Martial Cottle Park pay machine. Fees are also required to use group picnic areas. The fees are posted at the entrance kiosk.
Access fee information here: Park fees
Learn about our park
Martial Cottle Park is a state and county park operated by Santa Clara County Parks (please note: California State Parks passes are not valid at Martial Cottle).
To honor Ethel Cottle Lester's and her family's wishes, Santa Clara County Parks has partnered with several organizations to promote agriculture at Martial Cottle Park. These partners engage in various activities, including organic agricultural production and community education about sustainable farming practices. Each partner operates a dedicated parcel within the park and offers opportunities for the public to tour, take classes, attend workshops, or volunteer. Together, they work to fulfill the Cottle Lester family's vision of educating the public about agriculture in the Santa Clara Valley.
Martial Cottle Park and its partners host many seasonal celebrations, including the Fall Festival, Master Gardeners' Spring and Fall Garden Markets, Jacobs Farm's pumpkin patch and holiday tree events, and more.
Walter Cottle Lester established the Martial Cottle Park Foundation to assist Santa Clara County in developing, improving, and operating the park. The foundation aims to repair and restore historic structures and equipment and support various park projects. It provides financial assistance for materials needed to preserve, restore, and maintain Cottle Lester family buildings and belongings at Martial Cottle Park.
"I was born here. I've spent my entire life here. It would be nice for kids in future generations to know what it was like before it all changed." - Walter Cottle Lester (Mercury News, 2013)
Established by Edward Cottle in 1856 and maintained and farmed by his descendants until 2014, this land remained in agricultural production under one family for over 150 years. Martial Cottle Park now celebrates the area's shared agricultural heritage and how the tradition of farming and sharing food continues to shape our landscape, people, and history.
The paved trails extend over 3 miles, providing recreational opportunities for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, skaters, non-motorized scooter riders, and rollerbladers. Equestrians and dogs on 6-foot leashes are also welcome on the trails. Please remember to clean up after your pets. Note that deed restrictions prohibit the use of lawns for organized sports activities.
Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about the history of the land and the family that donated their ranch to create this public park. Exhibits include items from their daily life, such as clothing, letters, toys, bakeware, a replica cattle brand, garden tools, farm equipment, and butter-making supplies. Call (408) 535-4060 for visiting hours.
Explore our partner sites to learn about agriculture at Martial Cottle Park. Discover the benefits of urban trees with Our City Forest, participate in a garden tour or workshop with the University of California's Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, learn practical insights into composting through the University of California's Composting Education, and visit the livestock raised by local 4-H club members.
For more information about our school programs, please visit our education programs page or email [email protected].
Volunteers are a vital part of our work at Martial Cottle Park. We offer a variety of volunteer positions, including:
- Visitor Center Host
- Land Steward Team Member
- School Programs Docent
- Trail Watch/Litter Pickup Team Member
- Nest Box Monitor
- Special Projects Volunteer
- Special Events Volunteer
For more information about these opportunities, please visit our volunteer opportunities.
Martial Cottle Park wouldn’t be what it is without its park partners. These partners in various areas within the park support ongoing projects and provide opportunities for the public to participate in tours, classes, workshops, or volunteer activities. Each partner plays a crucial role in fulfilling the vision of the Cottle Lester family to educate the public about agriculture in the Santa Clara Valley.
Check our online historical collections for photos, documents, and artifacts related to Martial Cottle Park. You can also view artifacts from Joseph D. Grant County Park or Almaden Quicksilver County Park and request images from us.
Agents of Discovery is a free educational mobile game you can play while walking along the paved pathways at Martial Cottle Park. This activity may take you 30-45 minutes to complete, and you can start outside the visitor center. As you walk, you will use your smartphone or tablet to answer questions and learn about the agricultural history of Santa Clara Valley.
In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ('ADA'), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator at [email protected].
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events.
