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Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Overview



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In cooperation with California State Parks, Mountain Parks Foundation works to inspire the public to preserve Henry Cowell & Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

California Local Pin Marker Local Parks & Recreation Digest

Santa Cruz IllumiNight and Rainbow Procession May 27

05/18/2025

The City of Santa Cruz is marking the beginning of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride with a special IllumiNight and Rainbow Procession on May 27.

Yosemite National Park High Sierra Camps Remain Closed

05/15/2025

Because of a lack of availability of potable water and toilets, Yosemite National Park's High Sierra Camps won't be opened this year.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
unSCruz Brings Four Days of Creativity to Hollister

Around 3,000 people poured into the 13th annual unSCruz gathering May 3–5 at the San Benito County Fairgrounds. The four-day mix of freestyle art projects, bizarre vehicles, outlandish costumes, food and drink, music, dance and more went its course this …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Freedom Rotary Boosts Local Park

Flodberg Park lies in the center of a neighborhood at the end of Alvarado Street, a tiny place with a grassy field, a blacktop, a play structure and tables for picnics.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Lupine and Wild Iris at Quail Hollow Ranch

Lupin near the Discovery Loop at Quail Hollow Ranch Park in Felton, and the wild Iris are having a field day!

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
$12 Million Campaign Aims to Secure Elkhorn Slough

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) launched a new “Elkhorn Forever” campaign with a kick-off celebration Tuesday, with the goal of raising $12 million.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Clampers Install New Safety Fence at Junction Park

Members of E. Clampus Vitus Branciforte Chapter 1797 helped out at Junction Park in Boulder Creek this past winter by putting up a safety fence. “Your efforts in enhancing safety and assisting our community are truly appreciated,” Boulder Creek Recreation …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Mesa Village County Park Gets a Boost

The Mesa Village community teamed up with Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW), Pitch-In Santa Cruz County and 4th District Supervisor Felipe Hernandez on March 29 to add new life to Mesa Village County Park. 

Press Banner logo LOCAL NEWS
Progress Continues on Pump Track at Felton Park

After months of public petitions, contentious meetings and letters to the editor, the planned installation of a pump track at Felton Covered Bridge Park is officially underway.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Quail Hollow Ranch Pace Family Wilderness Trail

Sign up to volunteer for the Quail Hollow Ranch County Park Trails Construction project, a trail-building endeavor that will expand the Quail Hollow's existing 4.5-mile trail network into the Pace Family Wilderness, a 79.5-acre parcel that was gifted to County …

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Redwood Trail Hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Out and about in the early spring air! Contiguous days of delightfully warm weather under blue skies has been inspiration to hit local trails. Monday's hike at Big Basin Redwoods State Park included a spin around the Redwood Trail near …

Press Banner logo LOCAL NEWS
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground Reopening Delayed

California State Parks has announced the delayed reopening of the seasonal campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, now scheduled for Aug. 1, instead of the previously set April 1 date. This delay, attributed to adverse weather and supply chain …

Featured

There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained
Areas that the county overlooks can form their own local governments.
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
Starting in 1976, the legislature began creating agencies to buy up open land, and keep it open.
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