Bruno Canziani Neighborhood Park

Livermore — The late Bruno Canziani spent a lifetime committed to wine production. He has been employed at Wente Vineyards for more than 60 years, doing everything from cleaning wine tanks, creating new wines, to running the tasting room.

 

His legacy now lives on in the form of a 14-acre park that, three and a half years after he died at the age of 87, was once the site of a vineyard.

 

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Canziani's family, Livermore Area Recreation and Park District officials and community members, the new park, located near the intersection of Charlotte Avenue and Carnegie Way, received formal dedication as the Bruno Canziani Neighborhood Park.

 

The project has been in the works since 1999, when Canziani was still alive.

 

“This day has finally arrived,” said his son, Leon Canziani. “When my dad found out, he didn’t believe it would happen.”

 

Canziani said receiving such an award was unique for his father because he was a normal guy without any political ties, nor was he a major donor to anything.

 

Leon Canziani said he simply enjoyed his many years of service in the winemaking industry especially when in the tasting room."

 

Bruno Canziani began to work fresh out of high school at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, doing various jobs that paid him 25 cents per hour, his son said.

 

Ultimately, he became a winemaker, a position he held for 20 years. Bruno Canziani served in the tasting room later in life and gained a reputation as a trainer of new wine connoisseurs.

“Bruno has meant a lot to the winemaking industry,” said Tim Barry, general manager of the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.

 

A playground, picnic area and basketball court are currently available in the park.

 

Due to problems with developing a turf area with sufficient irrigation, the project has faced some delays.

 

With the installation of sod next year, the park will be “great for soccer,” Barry said.

 

When the park is finished within six to eight months, in addition to its well-designed recreational amenities, it will have an efficient irrigation system, said James Brandenburg, district parks supervisor. A trail leading to Vasco Road will also be open, Brandenburg said.

 

This dog park is large and fenced in with dog bags and benches which is pretty common in most dog parks. There is also a water dispenser below the water fountain that is used to fill up the dog water bucket located in the dog park.