Upgrades Coming to Local Parks, Libraries

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Park Upgrades

Local parks are primarily funded through local sales and other taxes and sharp declines in tax receipts last quarter will have an impact on parks (and other County services in general). But there are still a number of exciting improvements coming to local parks, including some that have already been funded.

One longstanding need was an improved pedestrian walkway and safer access point outside of Pinto Lake Park. We partnered with Supervisor Caput’s office (our districts share Green Valley Road) to combine district funds to rebuild a pedestrian pathway along Green Valley that is used by many residents to access Pinto Lake Park. The new pathway, constructed by County Public Works, was completed in June and has already improved the safety and accessibility of the park for local residents.

The Board of Supervisors, at the last meeting in June, approved a contract to install a new permanent restroom at Seacliff Village Park. The park, which is being constructed in phases according to the park master plan, already includes the necessary utilities and infrastructure as part of the initial phase construction.

The restroom is anticipated to be completed by November of this year. The park now includes a play area, picnic area and skate feature. The Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks and local residents have also been fundraising to complete the final phase of the park, which would include other elements in the master plan such as shade structures, a small outdoor amphitheater and more.

At Hidden Beach Park, the County has been working to upgrade the playground and provide new features and greater accessibility for children of all abilities. Working with the Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks and local community leaders including the The DeBernardo Team, an active fundraising effort is underway to finalize the upgrades in memory of the remarkable 5-year-old Jett Ramsey, who lost his battle with cancer in April and loved playing at Hidden Beach Park with his family. The County has design plans and is matching funding to make the park become a reality.

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Library Upgrades

On one of my recent tele-town halls, Library Director Susan Nemitz discussed some of the improvements planned for Capitola, Aptos and La Selva branch libraries. La Selva and Capitola are well underway (with anticipated openings of later this year).

In Capitola, a number of upgrades including a community/meeting room with flexible furnishings, an expanded children’s area and dedicated teen area, enhanced book and media selections, laptop and computer plugins around the library and all meeting rooms including laptops available as public access computers and reader and study seating spread around the library, including an adult reading nook and a fireplace reading area are all underway.

In La Selva, improvements to the children’s area, new flexibility in the space for meetings and book clubs, increases in natural lighting and airflow, expansion of the available seating for reading and studying, a new accessible entry on the north side of the building, bathroom upgrades, a new service desk, upgraded data and electrical, and an outdoor patio area are part of the remodel.

The Board of Supervisors will be awarding a contract on the Aptos Library in early August. The Aptos Branch Library was originally constructed in 1975 and is currently 8,000 square feet. Multiple community outreach sessions were held to get a sense of how best to approach a remodeled (and expanded) space. There are some exciting partnerships planned, including working with the Aptos History Museum, to provide a modern and accessible library. After August we will have a better sense of the construction timeline but the goal is to ensure that neighboring branches (La Selva and Capitola) are open before any construction begins to ensure options continue to be provided for local residents.

As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting tele-town halls with County and community leaders.

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If you’re interested in the town halls or just want to connect on an issue you can always call me at 454-2200.