[2] A major expansion with numerous additional parks became possible in the 1970s with the availability of state funds and voter-approved tax setasides.

[1] A Master Plan was adopted in 1972 which called for major regional parks throughout the area as well as recreational corridors along creeks.

[3] A separate agency, established in 1993, is the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (SCCOSA).

County Park Rangers are considered "generalists" and perform the full range of Park Ranger duties including enforcing State laws and Department rules as peace officers, providing information to visitors, checking in campground and picnic reservations, conducting interpretive and public education programs, responding to medical emergencies and accidents to provide medical aid, performing search and rescue activities, fighting wildland fires within County Parks, managing volunteer events, performing resource management work in the areas of habitat conservation & restoration, and performing maintenance work.

Chitactac-Adams Heritage Park offers a unique view into the Native American culture of Santa Clara County before and after the arrival of the Spanish, and includes a self-guided interpretive walk and a replica of a tule hut used by the Ohlone Indians.