Pickleball courts could be added next to the county courthouse, but a court employee expressed concern about the potential noise at Tuesday’s meeting. (City of Santa Cruz)
SANTA CRUZ >> River restoration, basketball and pickleball courts, a revamped play area, an AIDS memorial and an improved bike and walking path are included in a vision for a redesigned San Lorenzo Park. Absent from the vision was a duck pond that has been drained for several months and which some residents have spoken in favor of restoring.
The report presented to the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday was not a finalized plan, but a conceptual vision, and parks staff will do more planning and outreach before returning with concrete proposals.
San Lorenzo Park has two distinct sections. An upper area, referred to as the uplands, includes a play area, lawn, a Bocce Ball court and the empty duck pond, and sits adjacent to the county administrative building and courthouse. A lower area, known as the benchlands or riverlands, runs along the river, is prone to flooding and has been host to homeless camps as well as festivals like Earth Day and Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair.
The conceptual report envisions more recreational infrastructure in the uplands area and ecological restoration in the riverlands.
The uplands redesign concept included:
- Upgrading and expanding the playground.
- Expanding the number of recreational facilities for pickleball, basketball and lawn bowling.
- Adding more colorful gardening displays.
- Renovating, adding, and/or relocating restrooms.
- Installing hidden infrastructure to support events.
Parks staff estimated it could cost $25 million to $30 million, with no funding sources determined.
A plaza and lawn areas could replace the duck pond at San Lorenzo Park. (City of Santa Cruz)
The duck pond at San Lorenzo Park sits empty. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)
In the uplands area, “there’s not a whole lot of room and the pond is located right in the middle of it,” said Santa Cruz Park Planner Noah Downing, in response to a question about why the duck pond was excluded from the vision. Additionally, “over time, it does consume a lot of water, and it is likely a substantial cost to replace, probably wouldn’t be grant funded.”
Downing said the report “provides a study and analysis that helps guide future planning efforts, but concepts are not set in stone.”
Riverlands restoration
For the riverlands area, the vision is still fuzzy. It could be partially closed to people but include some hiking trails with views and access to the river.
Last year the city was granted $2.5 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to design and implement natural restoration and flood management in the riverlands. No cost estimates are available yet as the design process is still early.
Council members discussed their hopes for the riverlands.
“Having folks living in the flood control area is a huge problem, and something that we have been grappling with for many, many years,” Councilmember Susie O’Hara said, adding that limiting access to the riverlands could keep people from camping there.
Councilmember Renee Golder said she was concerned “that we’re limiting access to the river for humans.”
Councilmember Gabriela Triguero said she supports “to the fullest extent allowing the Amah Mutsun and staff to have conservation efforts,” and that she thinks there can be both conservation and access.
“What if the Amah Mutsun came back and they wanted to restore Steelhead and allow fishing and canoeing?” Golder asked. City Manager Matt Huffaker said the process is in the conceptual stage and any plans would be brought to the council for approval.
The city council voted to accept the report and directed staff to consult with local Indigenous tribes, including the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, on the riverlands restoration plan.
The report completes a revisioning process that’s been in the works since 2023, with the aim of updating the park as part of the city’s Parks Master Plan.
To comment, email Santa Cruz Park Planner Noah Downing at [email protected].
A rendering shows a possible viewing spot overlooking the riverlands part of San Lorenzo Park. (City of Santa Cruz)
A rendering shows a possible redesign of the snake structure in the children’s play area. (City of Santa Cruz)
A rendering shows a possible revamped children’s play area. (City of Santa Cruz)
A potential redesign of the park includes more lawn area, a revamped play area, memorials, restored riparian areas, and basketball and pickleball courts. (City of Santa Cruz)
Tyler Maldonado holds a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley. He writes about housing, homelessness and the environment. He lives in Santa Cruz County.
