Just blocks west of busy Interstate 880 on Mowry Avenue in Newark, is a hidden enclave that highlights the storied history of many Bay Area immigrants and their lives, art, food and culture. Welcome to Swiss Park.
Owned and operated by Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club since 1935, the 4.5-acre property is anchored by a picturesque Swiss chalet-style meeting hall that is celebrating its 90th anniversary this month. Built and financed with donations by club members, the hall quickly became a social center for Swiss immigrants who worked at nearby dairies and farms.
“We began to hold our festivals and picnics there and opened a bar,” explained Arnold Ambiel, president of Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club. “Members would come on weekends when they were done working on the farms and play cards or listen to Swiss music and we hosted dances and dinners in the hall.” Ambiel added that one of the most popular Swiss events was the annual Schwingfest wrestling festival.
Finding a permanent home
The club began in San Francisco during the 1920s, but eventually moved south in search of a permanent home. “On our move out of San Francisco we kept moving toward available land for dairy farms, and in Newark we were able to identify a piece of property that we could acquire,” Ambiel said. After buying the land in the early 1930s, plans came together quickly to build a meeting hall, club house and picnic area.
Until the meeting hall opened in 1935, Ambiel said administrative meetings were held at Patterson Ranch, while Swiss social activities, including Schwingfests, were held at the Newark Pavilion, which opened in 1928.
Today, the club is still operated by members but has expanded operations and opens the meeting hall and bar to the public for theme dinners, comedy shows and private events like banquets, reunions, quinceañeras and concerts. Community groups like Newark’s League of Volunteers (LOV) hold weekly fund-raising Bingo nights there. Ambiel explained the public business side of the operation is called Swiss Park Bar & Grille, while Swiss-oriented events for members are offered under the umbrella of Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club.
A peek inside
Ambiel said club members are proud of the facility and hope people will stop by to see it during its 90th anniversary this year.
The first thing visitors are likely to notice when entering the club hall is a dramatic mural behind the main stage depicting a composite of Swiss mountains, hillside chalets and a lakeside village. Painted in 1958 by Swiss artist Richard Bamattre especially for Swiss Park, the floor-to-ceiling painting spans the entire stage and serves as a backdrop for many shows, lectures and club meetings.
A look around the hall is another visual treat: Deep oak-paneled walls are covered in a rich wood stain and adorned with Swiss memorabilia, art, lanterns, trophies, flags and crests from many of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, or regions. A series of framed photo collages offer visitors a decade-by-decade look at Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club activities in Newark. Above, a solid wood cable beam supported ceiling provides a high canopy over the hall that helps to provide great acoustics for meetings, dinners, shows, music and dancing.
A good neighbor
One of the reasons the club hall has been so successful over the years, according to Ambiel, is that it has kept up with the times. “We’ve maintained it to current standards including a full kitchen, full bar, stage and decorations.” He added that the picnic area has also been improved to include a performance stage with an outdoor dance floor, beer hall, barbecue pits and updated landscaping.
Robert Fuchslin, Swiss Park Manager who oversees daily business operations, including the bar, said that focusing on community outreach, including using social media, has helped transition the facility into an event center that has helped put Newark on the map.
Newark Mayor Michael Hannon agrees: “Swiss Park has been a significant contributor to the City of Newark for 90 years. What started out as a small organization for members of the Swiss community now has become a staple in the community. They host a variety of events including Oktoberfest, and many other festivities that benefit the City of Newark. We’re proud to have them in the city and they continue to be a great contributor to our community and we hope that the next 90 years are as successful as the first 90 years.”
On May 4 from 12pm to 5pm, the club will hold a 90th celebration with food and dancing, a beer garden, and a raffle. Admission is free, and lunch is available for purchase: roasted chicken $10, bratwurst $10, BBQ ribs $12. For tickets, call 510.793-6272
Upcoming club events:
• May 4: 90th Celebration
• June 8: United Swiss Societies Swiss Kid’s Camp
• Aug. 2: United Swiss Societies Swiss National Day
• Sept. 12-13: Aelpler Gruppe 100 Years Anniversary Weekend
For details, visit the Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club webpage at aelplergruppe.com or call 510.936.2523.
Swiss Park Bar & Grill
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
Open daily starting at 2pm
swissparknewark.com
510.793.6272
