San Benito County Parks & Recreation Digest

California State Parks has recommended $6.7 million for seven local nonmotorized trail projects in various cities, including Galt and Gilroy.

Disneyland’s plan to reimagine the theme park into a more “immersive” experience may require up to $2.5 billion and a plan to privatize some Anaheim streets.

Richmond Ranch in south San Jose may be preserved as open space if multiple government entities succeed in a quest to buy its thousands of acres, public documents show.

California’s projected budget deficit of close to $38 billion likely means some cuts are coming. Among them, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed ending the California State Park Adventure Pass, which offers free access to some state parks for fourth graders.

An estimated 100,000 pizza boxes have been removed from Yosemite’s waste stream. This is because the famed park now serves pizza on trays and puts to-go portions in compostable bags, part of a move to reduce food-related waste.

Utility giant PG&E is set to raise its rates an average of 13% on Jan. 1. That equals an extra $32.50 a month, or $390 for the year.

State and local leaders gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate a new plan that will increase access to the outdoors for all Californians, regardless of who they are or where they live.

A pilot program that allows Californians to visit many state parks for free—after checking out a pass from their local library—is helping increase access for more people of color and lower-income residents, according to research from the California State Parks Foundation.

A beachside trail connecting the communities of Morro Bay and Cayucos could finally be built after 20 years. This happened after Chevron decided to sell land needed for the trail to be built.

Two theme park giants, Six Flags and Cedar Fair, announced they are merging. It could have potential impacts on California theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Camille Dixon, the announcer for Disney California Adventure, and her husband, Bill Rogers, the voice of Disneyland, are moving on from this work. They have been at the parks for more than 40 years combined.

Through this new program, artists, culture bearers, and California Native American tribes will be eligible to receive funding to create artwork throughout state and local parks.

The student body at Cerra Vista Elementary School looked on as Hollister School District leaders held a ribbon cutting to officially open the much-improved playground.

The third in a series of Community Vision San Benito County meetings planned by BenitoLink covered recreation, tourism and arts. Attendees said more recreational activities would improve quality of life in the county and help residents feel more connected.

The Biden administration is one step away from designating the first national marine sanctuary nominated by a tribe. Tribal members of the Chumash, who have lobbied for the creation of this Central Coast preserve for more than a decade, would be involved in managing it.

Each year more hikers, campers, wildflower enthusiasts and stargazers flock to Pinnacles National Park. The one thing they share: difficulty finding a parking space.

California lawmakers passed the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, permanently protecting the iconic and imperiled species.

Mike Markkula, who bought Rana Creek Ranch 40 years ago, is selling the property to the Wildlands Conservancy. The 14,100-acre ranch will become a new public preserve and cultural site.

Henry W. Coe State Park was named as a possible location as California attempts to find new places where people can ride dirt bikes, dune buggies and ATVs.

JLL will prepare a dozen regional strategic plans to help the state marketing organization promote smart, sustainable tourism over the next decade.

Pinnacles National Park closed due to flooding and hazardous conditions. While some damage and storm conditions remain, the park expects to be able to resume operations on both sides that morning.

The city of Hollister released a survey regarding its recreational vehicle ordinance, which is available online and at City Hall.

Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will protect sacred Native American sites, wildlife.

For the first time in three years, visitors won't need to book ahead to enter the park in 2023.

Franklin Circle Park—which was once a suburban traffic circle—now has a bocce court, herb garden and chess tables. The $210K project is the result of Rotary Club and Prop 68 funds, which also brought new restrooms to Verutti Park.

All over California, wildfires have ravaged iconic landscapes. Places that once seemed permanent are disappearing—and researchers are having to rethink how best to protect them.

After months of delays while waiting for an electrical switch box, Anderson Homes has transferred a new $3 million park to San Benito County. Santana Ranch Park includes playgrounds for two age groups, picnic tables, a grassy area, a baseball field, basketball half court, and restrooms.

Senate Bill 1012, a law that will require California State Parks to restrict open fires, has been unanimously passed through the Committee of Water, Parks, and Wildlife. The bill instructs parks to work with the guidelines of local fire departments. The bill could appear before the full assembly in August.

The Bureau of Land Management is issuing seasonal fire restrictions for lands managed by the Central Coast Field Office, which covers San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey and western Fresno counties. These restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order.

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for positions on its California Desert District Advisory Council, Central California Resource Advisory Council, and Northern California District RAC.

Residents can now use their library cards to check out day passes for free access to more than 200 state parks. The move is part of a collaboration between California State Parks and the California State Library to provide more equitable outdoor access for all Californians.

Mary Morales left behind her longtime home in San Juan Bautista for an assisted living facility in Monterey. But first the 87-year-old got to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a new park she had been working on for more than 13 years.