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Santa Cruz County Local News: Parks & Recreation


All Local Parks & Recreation News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: The Baldwin Hills area in South Los Angeles is one region where a state conservancy would keep open land accessible to the public.
California’s 10 State Conservancies: How They Protect Parks and Open Land

How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

12/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Cross-Tie Walking to the Garden of Eden

Biblical scholars debate over the locale of the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:10–14 lists four rivers in association with Eden, and scholars only guess where it might have been. It turns out that the Garden of Eden is near the town of Felton in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

11/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Crowdsourcing Plans for Resilience

Seacliff State Beach was obliterated by storms in 2023. California State Parks is mobilizing the public to reimagine its future.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

11/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Scotts Valley City Council Approves New Facility Rental Fees

Scotts Valley City Council has taken the next step in addressing a $700,000 deficit in recreation funding by approving new facility rental and special-event fees.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

11/12/2024
Get the details about the California State Parks prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park over the next two weeks and resulting temporary trail closures.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

11/08/2024
Image for display with article titled Preschool Program Expands at Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond

Community Bridges recently announced that Highlands Park Center in Ben Lomond, one of six sites in its Early Education Division (EED), has expanded its California State Preschool Program to offer free or low-cost early care and education services for qualifying income eligible families.

California Local Pin Marker From Local News Matters...

11/05/2024
The Peninsula Open Space Trust this week announced the purchase of over 1,300 acres of land on the southeast edge of Santa Cruz County, southwest of Gilroy.  

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

11/01/2024
Your donation to County Park Friends will help raise $30,000 for scholarships so local youth can participate in Santa Cruz County parks and recreation programs. Click to learn more.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

10/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Building a Resilient Future at Seacliff State Beach

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks helps the agency gather public input for a new vision at Seacliff and New Brighton State Beaches.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

10/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail

A hike is not about completion. It’s about discovery.

Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

10/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Controlled Burn Starts in San Mateo County, With More Planned for Santa Cruz County

Cal Fire started a 250-acre controlled burn on private land near San Gregorio and Pomponio state beaches in San Mateo County late Wednesday morning, and more prescribed fires are expected this month at Butano and Wilder Ranch state parks.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

10/22/2024
Image for display with article titled New Plan Unveiled to Safeguard Iconic Redwood Parks in Santa Cruz County

California State Parks and Save The Redwoods League release report outlining actions needed to restore and protect Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks after CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

10/17/2024
A project to restore native plant species and sensitive habitat has led the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation department to close the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands to public access.

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10/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Monarch Butterflies Return

Natural Bridges State Park reclaims its name as visitors celebrate a second bridge formed in the sandstone cliff wall It will be on display during the annual celebration of the anticipated return of thousands of monarchs to the eucalyptus grove.

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10/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Take a Hike: The Watsonville Slough Trail

Created in 1972, the DC Comic Anti-Hero Swamp Thing tells a story about the conflict between humans and the environment.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

10/04/2024
The 41-acre Año Nuevo Vista parcel has been acquired by the Sempervirens Fund land trust providing a possible future link between Año Nuevo and Butano state parks.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

09/25/2024
Image for display with article titled A Privates Beach Hike at High Tide

I drive toward the ocean on 41st Avenue and pass Betty Burgers. Why did I drive past Betty Burgers? What was I thinking? Imagine taking a beach hike and in the middle of it you get to eat a mesquite burger.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

09/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Great Fall Hikes in and Around Santa Cruz

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has preserved some sweet spots to enjoy the best season.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

09/17/2024
Image for display with article titled A Monumental Morning at Cotoni-Coast Dairies

A tour of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

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