Arana Gulch Project Begins Friday

The city wants the trail to make access across the East Side for bicyclists better. Naturalists fear that pavement will disturb wildlife.

The city won this one and will have a ceremony Friday at 12:30 p.m. 

Here are the details:

The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department will break ground on a new multi-use trail system and a bike/pedestrian bridge at Arana Gulch, including interpretation and habitat protection.

VISUALS: Elected officials groundbreaking; project renderings

WHEN: Friday, November 15, 12:30 – 1:00pm

WHERE: Bible Church southern parking lot at 440 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz

WHO:

• Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant
• Santa Cruz Vice-Mayor Lynn Robinson
• Santa Cruz City Manager Martin Bernal
• Santa Cruz Supervisors Neal Coonerty and John Leopold
• California Coastal Commission Executive Director Charles Lester
• Various agency representatives
• Community partners
• Residents

WHY:

The multi-use trail system is a key part of the Arana Gulch Master Plan, which facilitates passive recreation, accessibility, non-motorized transportation, improved management of sensitive natural resources, and outdoor education opportunities. The $6.2M trails project will be built in two phases and will take approximately one year to complete.

Arana Gulch Master Plan components:

• .9-mile permeable, hardscape trail that integrates with its surroundings and provides full access for visitors with limited mobility, from Broadway and Frederick to 7th and Brommer, plus ¼ mile to Agnes Street
• 340-foot “stress ribbon” pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Hagemann Gulch
• Interpretive program, including signage on the natural history of the area and encouraging stewardship; docent-led walks; opportunities for school programs to be offered in collaboration with partner organizations such as the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
• Adaptive management plan to restore and enhance native habitats, especially that of the Santa Cruz tarplant
• Elimination of “volunteer” trails in sensitive areas, such as tarplant and seasonal wetlands
• On-site botanist during construction
• Managed seasonal grazing by cow and calf pairs to facilitate natural restoration processes

Project funding:

• City of Santa Cruz -- $2M
• Santa Cruz County – $1.38M
• Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds – $2.43M
• State Funding - $400,000 (Phase 2)