Recent commentary about the renovation at La Rinconada Country Club has raised understandable questions—and, unfortunately, some misconceptions—about what is actually taking place on our grounds.
As stewards of a property with nearly a century of history and deep roots in the Los Gatos community, we welcome opinions of all kinds. What we cannot allow, however, is misinformation to overshadow the essential truth: our project is an ecological correction, a sustainability initiative, and a forward-looking investment in preserving the character we all cherish.
A recent letter published in the Los Gatan implied we are destroying oak canopies or otherwise harming the natural landscape, accompanied by dramatic photos of felled logs. This is simply not true. In fact, only one native tree is being removed for health and safety reasons. In total, 99.6% of the trees being removed are non-native, sometimes harmful species that have been crowding out native growth, consuming disproportionate water and degrading soil conditions. More than 70% of these non-native trees are being replaced with new plantings native to the Los Gatos chaparral. The result will be a more consistent landscape with the property’s original ecology—healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient…