With temperatures warming up across the state, park officials from the Santa Cruz area are reminding Californians to “Stay Home, Save Lives” as California continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
While the State of California understands the public’s need to enjoy the benefits of nature, it is more important than ever to stay the course and avoid visitation surges at parks and beaches. The longer people stay home and avoid congregating, the sooner they can begin recreating and celebrating with family and friends in the outdoors.
Park officials across the state have implemented a variety of temporary safety measures to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Santa Cruz area, California State Parks has partnered with Santa Cruz County Parks, Santa Cruz City Parks, Watsonville City Parks, Capitola City Parks and Scotts Valley City Parks to help the public understand and comply with directives from local public health authorities.
At this time, some state, county and cities parks and beaches in Santa Cruz County are temporarily closed to vehicular access — meaning there are no parking facilities and parking on roadways is prohibited or restricted to county residents.
The parks are available to local county residents that can actively walk, jog or bike into and at these park units, provided that they maintain the proper physical distance from others and congregating is not allowed. Additionally, if there are too many people at a park, beach or trail that comprises physical distancing, visitors are being asked to leave. Driving to parks and beaches is strongly discouraged.
Though law enforcement agencies have the authority to issue citations, the expectation is that the public will adhere to the advice of the public health officials and the closures.
Park officials will continue to monitor visitation and social distancing at all parks and beaches and if the safety measures implemented to date are not sufficient to protect public health and slow down the spread of COVID-19, additional measures may be taken to fully close parks.
Safety Measures Implemented
(to date)
Below is a summary of the temporary safety measures that State Parks, Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz City Parks have implemented to date to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease:
State Parks
To date, some park units have temporarily fully closed, meaning all vehicular access, trails and restrooms within these parks are closed. State Parks has also closed vehicular access at all parks statewide, including for off-highway vehicles and recreational boats; closed all campgrounds, museums and visitor centers; and cancelled all events. The closure list is available online at parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve. This list is dynamic and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
As the state continues to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19, State Parks continues to monitor the situation and is following guidance provided by the Governor’s Office via the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
The department is also working closely with local county and public health officials, and assessing park operations on a daily basis to provide access to healthy outdoor options while emphasizing the need for safe, physical distancing. State Parks understands that local agencies each have unique operational considerations and strategies. As such, the department is partnering with locals to align park operations and help the public understand and comply with directives from local public health authorities.
Any decision to reopen state parks will be made in close coordination with state and public health officials, the Governor’s Office and the state office of emergency services.
Santa Cruz County Parks
In the hopes to avoid another countywide park closure, Santa Cruz County Parks is severely limiting parking in the coastal zones. Santa Cruz County Parks has very limited parking near parks and beaches, permitted for county residents only. All county parks are currently open but restrooms are closed.
To see specifics, please visit their website or follow the County Park Friends link for a regional status of all parks: www.scparks.com and www.countyparkfriends.org/covidclosures.html.
The county is responsible for 33 beaches and beach access points throughout the county as well as 32 regional parks.
Santa Cruz City Parks
To date, specific amenities in the City of Santa Cruz parks system remain closed. These include basketball courts, skate parks, pool, golf and disc golf courses, archery, athletic fields and playgrounds.
Additionally, facilities including the Civic Auditorium, Louden Nelson Community Center, and Surfing Museum remain closed. Most park and beach parking lots are closed and parking on roadways is limited.
Full details for the City of Santa Cruz COVID-19 response are found by visiting www.cityofsantacruz.com/COVID-19.
City of Capitola
Specific amenities in the City of Capitola parks system remain closed. These may include skate parks, athletic fields and playgrounds. Additionally, parking is severely limited and reserved for county residents only. Please follow this link to see which park or park amenities in Capitola are closed: www.cityofcapitola.org/cityadministration/page/covid-19-updates.
City of Watsonville
To date, specific amenities in the City of Watsonville parks system remain closed. These include skate parks, athletic fields and playgrounds.
Additionally, facilities including Pinto Lake City Park, the Watsonville Senior Center, GHWR Youth Center and other recreation centers remain closed.
Full details please visit: www.cityofwatsonville.org/1915/Novel-Coronavirus-COVID-19
City of Scotts Valley
Some specific amenities in the City of Scotts Valley parks system remain closed. These include the skate park, pool, bocce ball and playgrounds. For up-to-date information, please go to the Scotts Valley homepage: www.scottsvalley.org
•••
Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news or click here.