Mission & History
The Los Gatos Youth Park was established to provide meeting places and a natural preserve for youth organizations. Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other local youth organizations frequent the three buildings on site.
The Park is located at the end of New York Ave in the town of Los Gatos. It extends from the Forbes Mill Museum to the Los Gatos bridge, between Highway 17 and Los Gatos High School. The area is rustic and thick with native trees and shrubs. In addition to the three buildings on site, there are two fire rings with sturdy bench seating, perfect for ceremonies, s’more roasting, and other gatherings.
The Los Gatos Youth Park is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Maintenance on and improvements to the park are typically done by dedicated scouts, Board members, concerned citizens, and affiliated service groups.
In addition to providing meeting space for youth groups, Los Gatos Youth Park is also involved in the Los Gatos community. The Board of Directors evaluates nominations and awards the Youth Citizen of the Year. The winners of this award participate in the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony as well as ride in the lead car in the Los Gatos Holiday Parade.
There are three building on the property:
- The first building on the property is called “Never Neverland.” This was originally the American Legion Hall, built in 1932. In 1971 the Girl Scouts took over this building and named it Never Neverland, signifying a special place where dreams could come true. Over the years, helpful individuals added a kitchen and bathrooms, making the space very usable for multiple kinds of groups and gatherings. The Optimist Club had sponsored the building for decades.
- The “Redwood Building” is the home of Troop 539. This building was originally located on Main Street and was moved to the Los Gatos Youth Park in 1956. The Los Gatos Lions sponsors Troop 539.
- The “Eagle Lodge” is the home of Troop 2, the oldest troop in Santa Clara County (formerly known as Troop 501). The Rotary Club of Los Gatos has sponsored Troop 2 since 1924 and built the building in 1948 on Broadway. In 1968, the building was moved to Los Gatos Youth Park.