Santa Cruz County Local News: Parks & Recreation


All Local Parks & Recreation News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: 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

How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

05/05/2024
Image for display with article titled Lake Lompico: A Labor of Love

The Lompico Pond Restoration and Demonstration Project involves a group of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts who have been meeting on the last Saturday of every month to restore a small mountain lake.

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

05/04/2024
The Capitola Aptos Rotary Club presented a check for over $90,000 to County Park Friends which is fundraising for the Treasure Cove Inclusive Playground at Jade Street Park.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/02/2024
The City of Santa Cruz cleared an encampment used by 30-40 people from the Harvey West Friendship Park on May 1.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

05/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Following the Fall Creek Fish Ladder Trail

It is a short walk from where you park on Farmer Street to the bridge over the new $2.3 million rebuild of the Fall Creek Fish Ladder.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

04/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Is Cowell Beach the Best Beginner's Surf Break in the World?

A practical, user-friendly guide to learning to surf in Santa Cruz: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

04/26/2024
Image for display with article titled A Call to Local Artists

The City of Watsonville has sent out a call to local artists to help create a mural for the new nature center coming to Ramsay Park.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

04/26/2024
The Sempervirens Fund has purchased two adjacent parcels to be transferred to park ownershipfor use as a new entrance and to replace other facilities destroyed in the CZU Fire.

Press Banner logo From Press Banner...

04/25/2024
Image for display with article titled Summer Vibes Return to Skypark With Food Truck Fridays and Taco Tuesdays

You know that summer is almost here when the convoy of food trucks comes back to Skypark. Starting Friday, April 26, Food Trucks a Go Go presents Food Truck Fridays, the area’s largest food truck festival with new owners Josh and Teresa Swart.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

04/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Hiking in a Storm in the Byrne-Milliron Forest

“Take a Hike With Richard Stockton” appears weekly on the Good Times website.

KSQD logo From KSQD...

04/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Low-Impact Camping Ordinance Raises Questions in Fire Zone

The Low Impact Camping Ordinance drafted by the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission took some rural residents by surprise.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

04/17/2024
Image for display with article titled Fall Creek Hike

It’s dawn and I’m the first to park in the Henry Cowell State Park parking lot up Felton-Empire Grade Road.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/15/2024
California State Parks and partner Friends of California State Parks are working together on a project to rehabilitate a number of dunes at Rio Del Mar State Beach to reduce erosion, increase resilience and restore wildlife habitat.

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo From Hilltromper Santa Cruz...

04/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Castle Rock SP: The Crown Jewel on Santa Cruz’s Skyline

Ten recreation options available at Castle Rock State Park, just north of Boulder Creek, from climbing to horseback riding to picnicking with a view.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

04/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Loch Lomond Is Open for the Season

Daytrippers rejoice! Loch Lomond, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is open. Administered by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, the reservoir plays the concurrent roles of supplying drinking water and providing recreational activities.

California Local Pin Marker From Times Publishing Group...

04/02/2024
In the planning stages since 2021, a new inclusive and accessible playground opened at Skypark.

Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Rail-Trail Money Threatened After Santa Cruz County Supervisors Vote

A Santa Cruz County supervisors vote on Tuesday shocked county staff and left an uncertain future for the rail-trail project through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo From San Lorenzo Valley Post...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Big Basin Redwoods State Park Update

California State Parks staff continues to move forward with the Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan (BBFMP).

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

03/27/2024
Image for display with article titled A “Jewel in the Community:” Ramsay Park Project Moves Forward

In a little more than a year, Ramsay Park in Watsonville will boast a new dog park, a new multi-use synthetic sports field, a new state-of-the-art nature center and new lights for its pathways, parking lots and athletic fields.

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