DRAFT PARKS MASTER PLAN 2030

DRAFT ACTION PLAN PRIORITIES
The draft Parks Master Plan 2030 (PMP) includes a number of goals, priorities, and actions to
help improve the parks system in Chapter 4.1. The Parks and Recreation Commission ranked
the numerous actions in the draft Parks Master Plan 2030 based on their overall value to the
community. The highest ranking actions from the assessment are listed in descending order,
from highest to lowest priority, under each corresponding goal. Actions are numbered to
correspond to the goal and policy wherein each action is listed in the PMP. For example,
GIII.PH.A5 = Goal III, Policy H, Action 5 on page 4.1-17 in the draft PMP.

Goal I. Provide attractive and sustainably maintained parks and facilities
throughout the City.
GI.PA.A1
(Pg. 4.1-4)

GI.PB.A10
(Pg. 4.1-7)

GI.PB.A8
(Pg. 4.1-6)

GI.PC.A2
(Pg. 4.1-8)

GI.PC.A3
(Pg. 4.1-8)

GI.PB.A12
(Pg. 4.1-7)

Use sustainable landscaping design and maintenance practices to conserve water, prevent
erosion and run-off, and provide habitat and food sources.
Provide an adequate level of service of restroom facilities and renovate existing restrooms
to maintain a clean, safe, inviting appearance. Place restrooms at larger or more
extensively used neighborhood parks.
Carefully coordinate the site furnishings, plazas, pathways, passive and active
recreational features and spaces, and landscaping to create meaningful experiences,
minimize conflicts between new and existing uses, and optimize use.
Consider the needs of seniors in circulation and park design and expand recreational
facilities for seniors.
Provide fitness facilities for all users and encourage multi-generational play spaces.
Maintain a signage program and other features that help maintain a united identity for
the parks system as a whole.

Goal II. Provide ample parks and facilities throughout the City.
GII.PA.A1
(Pg. 4.1-9)

GII.PA.A2
(Pg. 4.1-9)

GII.PA.A3
(Pg. 4.1-9)

Continue to seek opportunities to purchase or lease additional parkland: 1) in areas that
lack existing parks and amenities in close proximity, 2) larger properties that can
accommodate a variety of recreational facilities, (3) underutilized land, 4) higher density
growth areas, or 4) properties with significant cultural heritage.
Explore opportunities for partnerships to use land within or adjacent to the City to help
provide facilities to meet unmet needs. Examples include improving the joint-use
agreements with the school district to allow public use of outdoor recreational areas
during non-school hours, working with UCSC to provide pickleball striping at the tennis
courts at 207 Natural Bridges Drive, and partnering with the County to provide
recreational facilities on the vacant, adjacent parcel near the lawn bowling facility at San
Lorenzo Park.
Evaluate all lands, regardless of size, for the development of small parks and facilities.

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 Goal III. Provide parks and facilities to meet the existing and emerging needs of
residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.
GIII.PF.A1

Develop, improve, and enhance trails to provide for a range of uses.

GIII.PD.A4

Expand opportunities for informal sports play.

GIII.PE.A1

Renovate and maintain playgrounds to create more unique and interesting play
experiences.
Consider partnerships to allow for public recreational uses in the permanent Kaiser
Permanente Arena during the Santa Cruz Warriors off-season.
Provide activities that improve physical activity and mental health for all ages, abilities,
and interests.
Assure accessibility and safety on all City playgrounds.

(Pg. 4.1-14)
(Pg. 4.1-12)
(Pg. 4.1-12)

GIII.PH.A5
(Pg. 4.1-17)

GIII.PG.A1
(Pg. 4.1-16)

GIII.PE.A2
(Pg. 4.1-13)

GIII.PB.A1
(Pg. 4.1-11)

Provide neighborhood park uses including, but not limited to, off-leash dog use areas, ball
fields, skateboard parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, ping-pong tables, playgrounds
and tot-lots, climbing and exercise equipment, slack-lining, pickleball courts, community
gardens, pump tracks, bocce courts, disc golf courses, horseshoe pits, picnic areas, sand
volleyball courts, when designed to minimize impacts to the surrounding neighborhood.

Goal IV. Protect the City’s natural resources, native wildlife habitats and plant
communities, and environment.
GIV.PA.A3
(Pg. 4.1-20)

GIV.PB.A1
(Pg. 4.1-24)

GIV.PB.A2
(Pg. 4.1-24)

GIV.PB.A3
(Pg. 4.1-26)

GIV.PA.A4
(Pg. 4.1-21)

Develop and implement restoration work plans to restore natural processes and control
invasive species.
Protect and enhance the habitat and populations of special status plant and animal
species.
Protect, maintain, and enhance habitat features that are important to native wildlife and
native plant communities.
Protect waterbodies, including creek systems, riparian environments, and wetlands from
uses that would degrade their value to native species.
Improve habitat within urban parks and facilities.

Goal V. Maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for all park users.
GV.PA.A1

Use defensible space design treatments to deter illegal behaviors.

GV.PB.A1

Increase park ranger/police presence and interaction.

GV.PA.A5

Increase resources to remove trash and debris from illegal camping.

GV.PB.A2

Increase enforcement of park rules.

GV.PA.A3

Develop a caretaker or park host program to help care for open spaces and community
parks.

(Pg. 4.1-29)
(Pg. 4.1-30)
(Pg. 4.1-30)

(Pg. 4.1-30)
(Pg. 4.1-29)

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 Goal VI. Provide an integrated park system with clean, convenient public
access to parks, open spaces, and the coastline.
GVI.PA.A1
(Pg. 4.1-31)

GVI.PB.A1
(Pg. 4.1-32)

GVI.PB.A2
(Pg. 4.1-32)

GVI.PA.A9
(Pg. 4.1-32)

GVI.PA.A2
(Pg. 4.1-31)

GVI.PA.A3
(Pg. 4.1-31)

GVI.PA.A4
(Pg. 4.1-31)

Continue to seek opportunities to purchase or lease additional land to enhance
recreational corridors and extend network connectivity.
Seek properties and
improvements that fill gaps within the trail system, expand recreational opportunities
along existing corridors, or provide important habitat and wildlife connections.
Ensure staffing-levels are adequate to patrol, maintain, and clean the coastal, riverfront,
and open space areas.
Evaluate existing and develop new rules, policies, and programs to ensure they promote a
safe and clean environment.
Develop trailhead locations.
Implement the San Lorenzo Urban River Plan and enhance and maintain the recreational
value of the riverfront.
Help develop and implement an integrated design, land-use, recreation, cliff stabilization,
and landscape plan for West Cliff and East Cliff Drives to enhance public safety, access,
connectivity, preservation, and recreational enjoyment along the coastline.
Support and help implement and maintain the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail
multi-use path. Seek opportunities for additional parkland along the corridor. Consider
adding complementary features and design treatments at existing parks along the trail
such as by placing wayfinding signage and maps, benches, trash receptacles, drinking
fountains, picnic areas, shade structures, artwork, or plazas adjacent to the trail.

Goal VII. Establish, maintain, and operate parks, facilities, and programs in a
manner that is cost effective and manageable while engaging the
community to maximize involvement and support.
GVII.PC.A1

Increase funding for parks.

GVII.PA.A1

Develop maintenance and safety standards for parks and facilities and evaluate staffing
levels to achieve goals.
Evaluate fees and use rates to reflect the current costs to provide services. During the fee
study, consider the viability of use passes to help offset maintenance costs.
Utilize and support Friends of Parks and Recreation (FOPAR) to help in their fundraising,
scholarship, and funding of smaller special projects to improve the parks system.
Coordinate efforts with CA State Park and other recreation providers to ensure public use
areas are adequately maintained.

(Pg. 4.1-35)
(Pg. 4.1-34)

GVII.PC.A6
(Pg. 4.1-36)

GVII.PC.A5
(Pg. 4.1-36)

GVII.PA.A3
(Pg. 4.1-34)

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