Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Overview

The historic Watsonville landmark is now one step closer to complete restoration

Sometimes making the community better manifests as a better understanding of how nature works. Local birders lead the way.

WATSONVILLE—After two summers of canceled, postponed and altered activities, the City of Watsonville will be bringing back its seasonal offerings in full force this year. From annual events such as the Watsonville Strawberry Festival and the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth …

Find out what readers voted as the best among health and recreation

By Larry Tierney Like many Department of Parks and Recreation employees, I spent part of my 35-year career up at Big Basin. It was my first State Parks job. I’m currently on the Board of Directors of the park’s cooperating …

SOQUEL—The Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriffs' Association (DSA) has offered a $100,000 “challenge” grant to help fund a memorial for Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who was killed on duty on June 6, 2020. The grant is the largest donation in …

The nonprofit purchased 153 acres of redwood forest to add to Big Basin

APTOS—Plans were announced Thursday of a major renovation of Willowbrook County Park to honor the late Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, who was gunned down in the line of duty in 2020. The project of “reimagining” the park …

The Sempervirens Fund—a group instrumental in the creation of Big Basin State Park over 120 years ago—plans to buy property bordering the park by Jan. 31

By Julie Horner A rain-fresh January outdoors at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Felton California. Inspired hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Take a look.