Alviso Adobe Trellis – Wood and Roses

Val Vista Park can be accessed from two locations, the main entrance on7350 Johnson Drive and street parking in the neighborhood behind the park on Payne Rd.  Artist Ann Chamberlain’s 2004 The Skeletal Arch offers an easily recognizable portal to the backside of the park.  Ascend the steps and pass the play area named Diseno.  Diseno means “rough map” and it is the story of the indigenous Ohlone Peoples, artfully crafted as a children’s play area. 

Walk past the play area and proceed down the stairs to the Community Garden. Between two large area garden enclosures is a free-standing trellis embraced with twisting vines. Four sturdy wood columns provide support to wooden beams bearing Lady Bank yellow climbing rose vines. In the winter they are barren twisted vines. However, in the Spring the fingers of the vines cover the roof in a profusion of yellow flowers and form a glorious canopy aggressively arching toward the sun. The nearly thornless double flower clusters offer a subtle violet perfume. Perhaps a trellis example of the Monterey Colonial or maybe the Spanish Colonial, the Alviso Adobe Trellis is ablaze in yellow for about six weeks a year.

Ann Chamberlain created public art that explores history and invites a community to remember days past. Her 2004 construction of five pieces of artwork in Val Vista Park –Topographis, Diseno, Pear Blossom tiles, Alviso Adobe Trellis, and Skeletal Arch is a testament to her vision.

Venture up to The Alviso Adobe Community Park on 3465 Old Foothill Rd and walk back in time to discover the first inhabitants of this valley, the Ohlone Peoples.  While you are there see Evantide and Keep Smiling, two pieces of public art with storied backgrounds.

Jan Coleman-Knight