By Jondi Gumz
A week ago, a State Parks ranger installed a sign to deter visitors at Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos from illegally parking along the road or in the resident parking area.
He said this is a temporary sign until a resident placard system or similar arrangement can be determined.
A “no parking” sign is installed to deter visitors at Nisene Marks State Park from illegally parking along the road. • Photo Credit: Todd Marco
Residents along Aptos Creek Road are concerned that unprecedented use of the park, lack of a pedestrian path, insufficient parking spaces and illegal parking create a traffic jam where the road is clogged with cars, cyclists and people on foot, and delayed response times for emergency responders in an ambulance answering a medical call.
Residents have met with State Parks Sgt. Joe Walters twice this year on Zoom to discuss the problems and possible solutions. Another meeting via Zoom is expected to be scheduled for March, and Swenson, the developer building the Aptos Village project of homes and stores near Nisene Marks, has been invited to participate.
“We certainly want to be a part of these community meetings,” said Jessie Bristow, project development manger with Swenson.
Todd Marco, who lives on Aptos Creek Road, has created a private community forum on Facebook called “The Gateway of Nisene Marks” for residents to connect and organize and support improvement efforts to ensure access to this beloved forest is safe and enjoyable for all.
So far, more than 65 people have joined.
“The response & energy here is really encouraging,” said Marco, who moved to the area with his family in July.
“Thanks to Joe’s help & engagement, State Parks has been quick to implement simple yet effective solutions to curb illegal parking and reduce congestion,” Marco said. “In addition to cones, the new (no parking) signs installed (by State Parks & Swenson) are important deterrents. I spoke to the ranger installing the sign in front of the homes … to thank him and to confirm that a resident placard system or sign was the next step.”
Overflowing trash on Aptos Creek Road on the way to Nisene Marks State Park was cleaned up after a resident made inquiries. • Photo Credit: Nancy Zaferes
He added, “I was also happy to see the tree work being done along the road. As discussed during our last meeting, this maintenance is important to insure safety for residents & park visitors.”
At the next meeting, he said he would share what he has learned about the potential for a “Lot Full” signal and a “Gateway Trail” connecting Nisene Marks to Aptos Village Park, a county park that generally has parking available. He welcomed the developer’s participation, which he sees as critical to develop collaborative and well-integrated solutions.
Another resident, seeing trash overflowing from a bin and attracting more trash next on Aptos Creek Road just outside Swenson’s fenced construction staging area, took it upon herself to find out who was responsible for cleaning the unsightly mess.
After alerting the Aptos Village managers, the trash was gone and the gateway to the state park clean again.
“Our crew cleaned up the trash,” said Bristow, the Swenson manager.
Asked about the newly fenced dirt lot which had served as overflow parking for Nisene Marks and is slated to become a county park, he said vehicles and vehicle parts had been abandoned in the lot creating a mess next to the staging area.
“We are hoping to start phase 2 this summer,” he said.
There will be seven mixed-use buildings, residential with ground floor commercial, including three live-work units. Bristow said construction may take 18 months to two years, after which action is expected on land Swenson earmarked for a county park and a kiosk promised for Nisene Marks.
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Do you have a story to share or a potential solution to address safety issues at Nisene Marks State Park? Email Jondi Gumz at [email protected].