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Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Articles



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Crowdsourcing Plans for Resilience

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

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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.

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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 (CSPP) to offer free or low-cost early care and education services for …

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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.

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Henry Cowell Observation Deck Loop Trail

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

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Controlled Burn Starts in San Mateo County, With More Planned for Santa Cruz County

A controlled burn at Wilder Ranch State Park is planned Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, depending on weather. A crew works at Wilder in 2023. (State Parks)
SANTA CRUZ >> Cal Fire started a 250-acre controlled burn on private land …

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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

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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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Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument

A jewel on Santa Cruz’s north coast.

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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. When making decisions about the natural world, Swamp Thing challenges our human-centered belief that we alone possess intrinsic value. Godzilla …

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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 …

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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.

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The Monarchs Are Coming! The Monarchs Are Coming!

Not all who wander are lost.—J.R.R. Tolkien

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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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A Santa Cruz Thing: Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges Hike

My wife, Julie, says West Cliff Drive is her favorite place to walk because it is so easy: “You just park your car and start walking and listen to the waves crash against the rocks.” That is a magic feature …

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Santa Cruz Pump Tracks Bring Mountain Biking to the City

These parks let MTB and BMX riders of all ages practice their skills and get some air—without even pedaling.

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Santa Cruz County Fair Opens Wednesday

Last-minute touches are being completed to make way for the Santa Cruz County Fair.

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Two Great Kid-Friendly Hikes in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Fun activities created by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History help students engage with nature and learn about the remarkable resources in our backyard.

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SV Parks Master Plan First Since 1996

After nearly 30 years, Scotts Valley has a parks master plan. Now the city needs to figure out how to fund the improvements.

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A Backside Slide Down Devil’s Slide

“An adventure is never an adventure when it happens. An adventure is simply physical and emotional discomfort recollected in tranquility.” —Tom Cahill

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