Construction has officially begun on Sunnyvale's Corn Palace Park, a 2-acre publicly accessible green space that will honor the agricultural legacy of a beloved farm stand that operated for decades, according to Mercurynews. The park, located at the corner of Toyon and Lily avenues, represents the final chapter of a 20-acre farm co-owned by brothers Joe and Ben Francia since 1926.
From Working Farm to Historic Landmark
The Francia brothers' farm, situated at Lilly Lane and White Oak Street to the west of Lawrence Expressway, became an unexpected Silicon Valley landmark over its nearly century-long operation. "The one good thing about the Silicon Valley parking lot commute mornings and evenings on Lawrence Expressway is this small open-air structure with fresh produce in front of a backdrop of acres of corn," Daniel Hindin wrote in a Sunnyvale Sun article about the Corn Palace in 2000, as reported by Mercurynews.
The farm's future seemed secure when Joe Francia told Metro Newspaper in 1999 that he had no intention of selling the land, according to Mercurynews. However, the agricultural era came to an end following the deaths of both brothers—Joe in 2007 and Ben in 2013.
Development and Preservation Balance
In March 2019, the Sunnyvale Planning Commission approved a significant development project by Trumark Homes to construct 58 single-family homes on the 8.8-acre site, according to Mercurynews. While this approval meant that the original Corn Palace structures would be demolished and the cornfield repurposed, city planners ensured that a portion of the land would remain accessible to the public.
The development project allocated a two-acre parcel for what would become Corn Palace Park, creating a compromise between urban development and historical preservation, according to Svvoice. Construction of the park began recently and is expected to be completed early next year, according to Mercurynews.
Community Input Shapes Park Design
City officials engaged residents in the planning process by asking them to weigh in on three proposed park designs, according to Mercurynews. The winning design features an open lawn area, two play areas, fitness equipment, picnic tables, and a shade structure, among other amenities. The park will also include shaded seating, picnic areas, and playgrounds, according to Svvoice.
Jesus Raygoza, superintendent of recreation services, explained that naming new parks follows a hierarchy with four criteria, including names that honor Sunnyvale's legacy, align with planning designations, connect with neighboring schools, or have cultural significance, according to Svvoice.
Unanimous Support for Historic Name
The naming process for the new park generated significant community interest and widespread support for preserving the Corn Palace identity. At the February 4 Sunnyvale City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the "Corn Palace Park" name, according to Svvoice. This decision came after strong recommendations from multiple city bodies, including the Historic Society, Heritage Commission, Human Relations Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission, all of which favored the "Corn Palace" designation.
Council Member Alysa Cisneros called the park a local "landmark," noting that regardless of what the council named the park, residents would likely still call it "Corn Palace Park," according to Svvoice. "It is so incongruent with what most parks are named for. I think it will spark that conversation to learn more about that part of Sunnyvale's history," she said.
Regional Agricultural Heritage Context
The Corn Palace Park preservation effort reflects a broader regional commitment to maintaining agricultural heritage in the face of rapid urbanization. The park joins other preserved agricultural sites in the South Bay, including Emma Prusch Farm Park in San Jose, which consists of 47 acres from an original 87-acre bequest by Emma Prusch to the City of San Jose, according to Historysanjose.
Emma Prusch Farm Park demonstrates how urban areas can maintain their agricultural character while serving modern community needs. The park features innovative farming projects including an heirloom orchard and garden project, operation of a 1930's vintage Aeromotor Windmill to draw water from the original 440-foot deep well, and free-roaming heirloom ducks and chickens, according to Historysanjose.
Cultural Significance and Future Vision
The "Corn Palace" name carries unique cultural weight, distinguishing Sunnyvale's park from typical municipal naming conventions. While the famous Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota serves as a multi-purpose arena decorated with crop art and visited by up to 500,000 people annually, according to En, Sunnyvale's version will serve as a neighborhood gathering space that honors local agricultural history.
Council Member Richard Mehlinger agreed with the naming choice, calling it a "unique and quirky bit of Sunnyvale's history," and encouraged city employees to make the park as "corny" as possible, according to Svvoice. This playful approach to the park's development suggests that city officials intend to embrace the agricultural theme throughout the park's design and programming.
Completion and Community Impact
The park is scheduled for completion this summer, according to Svvoice, providing the surrounding residential development with immediate access to recreational facilities. The project represents a successful model of how cities can balance development pressures with historical preservation and community needs.
For residents and commuters who remember the original Corn Palace farm stand, the new park will serve as both a memorial to the Francia brothers' agricultural legacy and a functional community space. The development ensures that future generations will have a tangible connection to Sunnyvale's agricultural past, even as the city continues to evolve in response to Silicon Valley's growth pressures.
The transformation from working farm to residential development with preserved green space illustrates the complex negotiations required in rapidly developing urban areas where historical significance must compete with housing demands and economic development priorities.