According to Robert Walker, Sunnyvale's director of parks and recreation, the city's intention is to maintain a working fruit orchard for "as long as it is practical" at the site.

"There are 800 trees in the orchard now - there used to be 400," Walker added.

He attributes the success of the orchard to Charlie Olson, the orchardist who has been taking care of the trees for decades. The city will work on helping Olson maintain this position for as long as he can commit to it, Walker said.

With the renaming of the "Arboretum" as the "Sunnyvale Heritage Center," the area adjoining the Sunnyvale Community Center will be developed into a historical site that will feature a museum, a barn donated by the Bianchi family, and a gardener's workshop. The area is already the site of the Orchard Heritage Park Interpretive Exhibit and a multipurpose building. Any major changes to the conceptual plan will have to be approved by the city council, Walker said.

"We are excited about all the changes," said Laura Babcock, chair of the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association. "We are trying to address everyone's needs - every club's needs will be looked into."

To recognize and preserve the agricultural history of the city, a 10-acre portion, located at the south end of the community center grounds, was designated as Orchard Heritage Park in 1992. With the city council's unanimous approval of the conceptual master plan on Sept. 25, the site is finally ready for development into a heritage park.

Babcock said he has started fundraising efforts for the park.

"Our projected estimate is $1.6 million, and we've already raised $600,000," Babcock said. She added that she would like to raise at least $2 million to create an endowment fund.

The kickoff fundraiser event will be held on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Del Monte Building, located at 100 S. Murphy Ave. in Sunnyvale. There will be a $50 charge for a light buffet dinner. For more information, call 408.734.0552.