Maintaining a long history of supporting the community where its employees live, work and serve, San Jose Water Company (SJWC) believes “there can be no company without community.” In recognition of SJWC’s 150th anniversary and the greater San Jose metropolitan area that has been central to its existence, the investor-owned water utility (IOU) made a special contribution of $150,000 to the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy.
The funds will be used to expand the Rotary Children’s Sculpture Walk by adding new cast-aluminum sculptures to the existing sculptures in Guadalupe River Park. Some of the sculptures will be added this fall, while additional pieces will be added in 2017.
SJWC and the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy partnered on the project with former San Jose Rotary Club President, Shirley Lewis, the inspiration behind the Children’s Sculpture Walk. San Jose State University’s Foundry Program designed and manufactured the sculptures. Working with San Jose State’s Foundry brought SJWC full circle back to 1866 when the company began operations with two water tanks located at the original San Jose Foundry site.
SJWC further celebrated the community by selecting two local elementary schools to be part of the project team. The designs for the 2017 sculptures were inspired by students at Washington Elementary School and Hacienda Science Magnet School. With the theme of “Children at Play,” the winners’ designs included scooters and skateboards, soccer, bug watching and dog walking.
An unveiling ceremony will take place this fall when the sculptures are installed at the park.
