Innovation District Parks and Trails Master Plan

Background

The City of Milpitas is advancing plans to transform its Innovation District into a modern, connected neighborhood. As part of the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan (MMSP), adopted in 2023, the City is developing a Parks and Trails Master Plan for the Innovation District to enhance open space, improve connectivity, and support the area’s evolution as a leading destination for jobs, housing, and recreation.

Located near the Milpitas Transit Center, the Innovation District will feature high-density employment spaces, creative office and R&D buildings, and limited residential areas. The Parks and Trails Master Plan focuses on creating new parks and improving walking and biking connections, including a planned pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Berryessa Creek, to ensure safe and convenient access between the Transit Center and Innovation District.

To meet the needs of the growing population and workforce, the plan proposes two new publicly accessible parks within the Innovation District. These parks will offer recreational opportunities and green space in an area currently underserved, and support a "campus-like" setting by integrating with nearby offices and housing. Trail enhancements along Berryessa Creek are also being considered to improve regional connectivity and promote transit use.

This initiative aligns with the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan and reinforces Milpitas's commitment to smart growth, community health, and high-quality public spaces for residents, employees, and visitors alike.

Outreach

The City held the first Innovation District Parks and Trails community workshop event on May 29, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Milpitas Community Center. The workshop event kicked off the launch of the survey. 

Community Meeting

The City is held the second Innovation District Parks and Trails community meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Large Meeting Room at the Sal Cracolice Building. The community meeting coincided with the launch of a second survey. 

Park Concepts and Survey

Three (3) different park concepts for the north and south parcels and two (2) trail concepts were developed based on community feedback, needs assessment, and understanding of future land uses for innovation district. It is assumed that most park users will be office workers, commuters and residents in the adjacent neighborhoods. The park itself consists of two parcels located on the west side of the Montague Expressway and S. Milpitas boulevard intersection.  Please review the concepts posted on the project website before completing the survey. This link will take you to the online survey. 

General design considerations for all concepts

• Existing PGE easement with two tall towers and overhead lines cut through both parks, north and south which will affect tree locations, height and spacing.
• Santa Clara water district standards for improvements for creeks have been incorporated, including trail design, native riparian plant species, and erosion control.
• Landscape areas to be drought tolerant planting and strategically placed for color and texture for interest, green buffers from the busy roadways, and shade where possible.
• Parking is located where it is most safe and accessible and reduces excessive noise for neighbors.  
• The active railroad runs through the trail site north of Montague Expressway limiting pedestrian accessibility to this side of the project.   A service road on the south end, north of Montague Expressway was left in place, and is not recommended for improvements, which might create a safety concern for pedestrians crossing the tracks.
• Pedestrian access to the trail is focused on the southern portion of the project where a trail is feasible on the east side of the creek.

Concept One - Design Features

South park 

• A main walkway draws visitors from the parking lot to the entry plaza.
• At end of main walkway is a terminus plaza overlooking the creek at the bend.
• The main walkway is surrounded by open lawn with secondary paths that lead off to active amenity spaces with sport courts, picnic areas and a playground.

North park 

• Much of the park area is designated for dogs with separately fenced corrals for large and small dogs. Dog park amenities include seating, pet waste stations and pet drinking fountains.  
• A pedestrian pathway winds through the dog area from the entry plaza to the northeast near Watson Street, to the creek side plaza.  Another pedestrian path provides more direct access from the entry plaza to the creek side plaza.  
• The creek side plaza provides passive seating and doubles as a trailhead.  Decorative finishes are incorporated to enhance this plaza and define the look and feel of the plaza. Site furnishing will include bench seating, drinking fountain, receptacles, and bike racks.

Concept Two - Design Features

South park

• Entry from the parking areas leads to a large open plaza suitable for events.
• Instead of one main walkway, several walkways branching off from the plaza to different recreation opportunities.
• Towards the south end, tucked in the back of the park is an active area with multi-generational game areas, sport courts, playgrounds and seating.
• A promenade runs adjacent to the creek with a shaded seating area overlooking the creek and access to a small dog park.  

North park 

• In this concept, the two parks have a different look and feel. This park has more passive space with a curvilinear walkway providing for pedestrian loop walk within green open space.  
• An art installation may be included as a point of interest near the entry of the trail.
• Colorful flowering accent trees provide a backdrop to the open lawn area, and shade trees buffer the park from Montague Expressway.
• The trail entry includes trapezoidal forms to connect this park to the south park design, providing transition from the curvilinear design to the more formal.

Concept Three - Design Features

South park

• The design for this park incorporates organic forms highlighting a large entry plaza with open space, suitable for farmers’ market tents, or food trucks providing activities that will draw people into the park.
• Sculptural shade structures dot the landscape providing shaded nodes for tables and seating.
• The multipurpose lawn is encircled with seatwalls along the perimeter. This curvilinear seating provides fun and functional seating at locations that offer views of the creek or active play areas.
• Amenities include bocce and basketball courts, and playgrounds. Multi-generational games, outdoor table workspace.

North park 

• This northern park complements the south park design with its curved seatwalls along the two dog parks.
• A main walkway pulls pedestrians from the plaza at the Watson Street intersection through to the trailhead.  Walkway entries are included at key locations – near the crosswalk at s. Milpitas Blvd., the bus stop and the Watson intersections.
• This park includes a linear fitness area, a sculpture walk, and a passive retreat space located within the landscape.
• An orchard-style grove with small fruit-like trees is included along Montague provide a visual nod to the origins of Santa Clara Valley.  These may be lemon trees or flowering pear trees.

Trail Concept One

• The trail concept incorporates gentle curves into the trail design with spaced out seating nodes on both sides of the trail.
• Shade trees with intermittent areas of accent trees line both sides of the trail.

Trail Concept Two

• The design for this trail incorporates the trapezoidal forms from park concept two into the trail design.
• Several seating areas are provided along the trail portion adjacent to the north park.
• As the trail makes the bend, the main trail zig zags allowing users to get closer to the creek at certain points.
• A secondary trail is created with seating nodes closer to the trail intended to allow users to find respite and relaxation. The secondary trail will be surrounded by ornamental shrub plantings and accent trees.