Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Digest

Capitola leaders have kickstarted a fundraising campaign for the Jade Street Park Project, which will make the 24-year-old playground accessible to individuals of all abilities.

“This pump track would be the only resource of its kind in the San Lorenzo Valley,” said Rebecca Hurley, deputy director of the Santa Cruz County Parks Department.

On summer weekends Metro’s Route 35 to Big Basin Redwoods State Park will provide locals with a sustainable option for visiting the popular regional destination.

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

Rana Creek Ranch is half the size of the city of San Francisco, with “the grandeur of many of California’s state parks.”

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.

A stunning property once owned by rock singer Chris Isaak moved a big step closer to becoming a new public park—the first of its kind in more than 50 years—when the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve an $11.6 million construction contract to build amenities at Tunitas Creek Beach.

More than 4,000 people a day hike the Mist Trail on summer weekends; the park is looking to improve safety and education.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission was presented with a final EIR created by the city of Santa Cruz for segments 8 and 9 of the Coastal Rail Trail—a project seeking to establish a bicycle and pedestrian trail adjacent to the tracks along the 32-mile Branch Rail Corridor.

The fencing around the park’s pond, playground and public green spaces since last year were taken down April 1 but the benchlands remains fenced off, awaiting pending environmental restoration work.

California State Parks will commence work on March 20 on the damaged pier at Seacliff State Beach, with demolition expected to take six weeks and leave no visible portions of the pier.

Leisyka Parrott will oversee the management of more than 7,900 acres of public land in six onshore units in the California Coastal National Monument.

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.

In response to catastrophic damage this winter, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks has established the Seacliff State Beach Recovery Fund.

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

If you needed an excuse to explore a natural treasure, here it is.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park opened four miles of newly renovated roads and trails.

Community members gathered at Felt Street Park in Live Oak to tend and beautify the park's concentric labyrinth of painted stones.

Tthe wait for a safe trail crossing the Moss Landing harbor just got longer after Caltrans employees discovered a deteriorating retaining wall.

A $115 million grant from the California Transportation Commission’s Active Transportation Program covers the funding gap for nearly 7 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail. Construction can begin as soon as 2025.

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

The local landmark that hosts daytrippers and hostel guests alike is about to undergo renovations that could increase public access.

Normal wear and tear in the 15 years since the park was installed has created another opportunity to remake the facility with elements that “appeal to individuals of all abilities, including those with mobility, cognitive, developmental, sight and hearing impairments.”

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

According to the BLM website, the property is currently accessible to the public only through guided hikes; however, the bureau has developed a recreation plan that includes 27 miles of multi-use trails for bicycling, horseback riding and dog walking with connections to San Vicente Redwoods and the North Coast Rail Trail.

Aptos Creek Road, the main entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, has seen a large surge of traffic since the pandemic. What hadn’t changed, until now, was the poor condition of this narrow single-lane access route.

At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will analyze costs and funding strategies for continued construction and maintenance on 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail.

Many Santa Cruzans might think of the small Patagonia outlet store on River Street as the only local vestige of the iconic outdoor lifestyle brand. But the company’s ethos is also carried on by people like Kyle Thiermann.

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.

At the 28th annual Day on the Beach event, which took place at Cowell Beach, local nonprofit Shared Adventures helped people with disabilities enjoy the sun and sand and engage in a variety of ocean activities.

The CZU Lightning Complex fires brought big changes to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, providing an opportunity to reimagine the 120-year-old attraction. One planned change moves the main access point to a park-owned property known as Saddle Mountain.

The city of Santa Cruz will start construction on the second phase of Segment 7 of the multiuse Coast Rail Trail. According to transportation planner Claire Gallogly, the project will add “a great option for those of all ages and abilities to travel without a car.”