Santa Cruz Parks Seeks Public Input on Upcoming Developments

From Santa Cruz County: The Santa Cruz County Parks Department wants to hear from residents as they create the County's first Strategic Plan to help guide the future of local parks, facilities, coastal access, open spaces, public art and recreation activities in unincorporated areas of the county.

County parks provide substantial recreational, cultural, community and economic benefits to County residents of all ages. While the County maintains dozens of parks offering users a variety of activities, the County has never created a community-wide vision to guide the development of parks and park programs to assure that the needs of all residents are met.

"These parks belong to the public, and the community should be involved in creating a vision for the Department," Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said. "Through this process, the public will be a part of envisioning the future of our wonderful local County parks and programs, and help us co-create a healthier, more connected and more vibrant community for all."

The Parks Department is soliciting public feedback through an online survey and a series of upcoming public meetings. They are located as follows:

• San Lorenzo Valley - Wednesday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Highlands County Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
• Watsonville - Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Civic Center Community
  Room, 275 Main St. (upstairs)
• North Coast - Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Pacific Elementary School, 50
  Ocean St, Davenport
• Aptos - Saturday, May 6, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Aptos Village County Park, 100
  Aptos Creek Rd., Aptos
• Live Oak - Thursday, May 11, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Community Room at Simpkins
  Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz

Though not required to attend, residents are encouraged to RSVP for a meeting here.

The Parks Department is also making it easier for people to give Strategic Plan feedback online. To take a quick survey and give feedback about Santa Cruz County Parks' programs, activities, and parks, click here.

The Parks Department maintains dozens of parks, coastal access points and recreational and historic facilities. Three years after reemerging as a standalone department following a merger with the Public Works Department due to budget cuts, the Parks Department has completed several major new parks and improvements, with plans for more in the works.

For more information, visit here.

Photo courtesy of the County of Santa Cruz