Santa Cruz, CA --
The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department breaks ground today on
construction of a new bike/pedestrian bridge and trail system at Arana Gulch.
The bridge and trail system is part of a master plan for the Arana Gulch Open
Space area that includes bike and pedestrian trails that are fully ADA
compliant, interpretive opportunities and habitat protection. The $6.2M project
will be built in two phases and will take approximately one year to complete.
“Arana Gulch is a unique open space within our city,”
said Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant. “This project will protect treasures, like
the endangered tarplant, while improving access to Arana Gulch for all
residents and providing an important cross-town link for pedestrians and
bicyclists.”
Project
highlights:
·
Almost one mile of all-weather trails that
integrates with its surroundings and provides full access for visitors with
limited mobility
·
340-foot “stress ribbon” pedestrian bridge
across Hagemann Gulch
·
Amenities that include benches, interpretation,
bike racks and refuse/recycling bins
·
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 near tarplant and seasonal wetlands
·
On-site botanist during construction
·
Managed seasonal grazing by cow and calf pairs
to facilitate natural restoration processes
Funding:
·
City of Santa Cruz -- $2M
·
Santa Cruz County – $1.38M
·
Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds –
$2.43M
·
State Funds $0.4M for Phase 2
Background:
The project received extensive environmental review from
state and federal agencies before receiving approval from the CaliforniaCoastal Commission, California Fish and Wildlife and US Department of theInterior Fish and Wildlife Service. The site was once part of the ranchlands
known as Live Oak Ranch, and was later home to the East Side Dairy. The dairy
ceased operation in the mid-1950s and the property was grazed until the late
1980s. The City of Santa Cruz purchased the property in 1994.
