By Craig R. Wilson
Although Soquel Creek runs through Soquel Village, creek access is limited for most residents and visitors. That will change when the Soquel Creek Linear Parkway is completed.
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According to Santa Cruz County Park Planner Will Fourt, construction is anticipated to begin this fall on the ½ mile that will connect the Soquel Village to Main Street.
The creekside pedestrian and bicycle trail ties together Heart of Soquel Park in the village, the Walnut Street footbridge at the rear entrance to Soquel Elementary School, as well as a spur leading to Porter Street.
The total project cost is about $3 million dollars, about half of which is funded by a grant available from Proposition 68, a 2018 Parks and Water Bond designated for state and local environmental protection and restoration projects.
Other funding sources include a portion of County Measure G local sales tax as well as county development impact fees. “It took a great deal of work,” Mr. Fourt said, “to apply for the funding, obtain easements and put together the proposal.”
The parkway will promote walking and biking and scenic access to the creek. Restoration along the creek will include invasive plant removal in favor of native riparian plant restoration.
Other features include low-voltage lighting and environmentally responsible trail surfacing. The parkway will also provide a safe route for children to get to school and support more opportunities for students to interact with nature.
Currently, eleven elementary school classes encompassing 2nd to 5th grade students visit the creek at some point during the school year as part of their curriculum.
Soquel Elementary School Principal Kristin Murphy looks forward to the parkway because it will increase access to the creek.
“The trail will help us integrate science education in our own backyard,” according to Ms. Murphy, “we are introducing our students to nature journaling and the interpretive panels or murals will help.”
Anita Gabriel is a Soquel Village business owner who frequently coordinates local events to attract visitors to the area, including the annual Sip and Stroll Wine Walk. “It will be great for the kids,” Ms. Gabriel says, “but I doubt it will do much to bring new shoppers to Soquel Village.”
Ms. Gabriel supports bicycle and pedestrian safety as a way to increase foot traffic within the village but does not think the parkway will have significant impacts on local businesses, citing parking fees as an obstacle for Village customers.
Mr. Fourt said he will be submitting a final project permitting application mid-year for final approvals and selection of a construction contractor. If the project proceeds as scheduled, the parkway will be completed and available to the public in early 2021.
Although the final regulations for the parkway have yet to be finalized, it is likely the parkway will have use rules similar to those of other County parks, including hours of operation.