San Lorenzo Park Redesign
The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department is developing a redesign of San Lorenzo Park. The City has hired the landscape architecture firm Bionic Landscape, Inc. to undertake a needs assessment, conduct public outreach and engagement; develop a vision,overarching goals, and guiding principles; prepare and present conceptual designs and alternatives; and prepare a conceptual master plan for future improvements and programs.
This process will include many opportunities to collect feedback, including outreach with stakeholders, community meetings, surveys, and public meetings for direction at key stages. The process is designed to move from an analysis of existing conditions and community needs and desires; to the identification of overarching goals to meet those needs and desires; to an analysis of possible design scenarios; to very specific development, use, and design criteria; and finally to the conceptual master plan for the park.
Online Survey #2
The City of Santa Cruz is seeking feedback on specific preferences on potential layouts and uses for the redesign of San Lorenzo Park. On Saturday, October 7th, 2023 the Parks and Recreation Department hosted Community Meeting #2 for San Lorenzo Park to review three options for the park and gather input on preferred options and programmatic elements. Based on input received, the Parks and Recreation Department has narrowed the options to two concepts: Concept A and Concept B. The following online survey includes questions to gather input on community preferences for the two concepts and programmatic elements: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SanLorenzoPark2. The survey will close at midnight on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Based on the input received from this online survey, the design team will refine the recommendations for the preferred design direction and programmatic elements that will be included in the preferred San Lorenzo concept plan. Parks and Recreation staff will request additional feedback and direction from the Parks and Recreation Commission at a public meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for December 11, 2023.
Riverfront Development
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"It is hard to imagine a more exciting use of this space than to be reborn as a vibrant cultural and economic arts center which will enliven the streetscape and draw thousands of people to the river and this section of downtown," said Santa Cruz Mayor Donna Meyers.
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Click HERE to see their plans.
San Lorenzo River Habitat
The San Lorenzo River (SLR) is a living river. It is alive with a myriad of species (avian, piscine, and the aquatic critters that birds and fish depend on for food).
The river is host to birds year round. It is their home, offering resting, nesting and feeding. It is part of the Pacific Flyway of migratory birds. The SLR offers migratory birds respite and food during their journeys of thousands of miles. The Audubon Society lists "habitat loss, water shortages due to diversion for agriculture and development, and diminishing food sources as major reasons migratory bird numbers have plummeted over the years.
The river is host to birds year round. It is their home, offering resting, nesting and feeding. It is part of the Pacific Flyway of migratory birds. The SLR offers migratory birds respite and food during their journeys of thousands of miles. The Audubon Society lists "habitat loss, water shortages due to diversion for agriculture and development, and diminishing food sources as major reasons migratory bird numbers have plummeted over the years.
SLR news
11/5/23 - San Lorenzo Park Redesign Survey - Click HERE for the survey, by Midnight, Sunday, 11/5/23
2/25/21 - Action Alert! - Riverfront Development Click HERE for details.
9/19/17, 7 PM - KZSC Universal Grapevine - Bruce Bratton interviews San Lorenzo Mysteries authors Jane Mio and Barbara Riverwoman
6/20/17 - San Lorenzo River Mysteries. Read it HERE.
1/23/17 - Wildlife advocates Community TV interview. Click HERE for details.
10/2/16 - Jesse Street Marsh Awareness Festival. Click HERE for details.
7/27/16 - Happy Birthday, Stripey! on San Lorenzo Mysteries. Read it HERE.
1/11/2016 - Fall Migration Bird Survey. Read it HERE
Our mission
The Friends of SLR Wildlife seeks to protect riverine wildlife habitat and the species therein from disturbances that jeopardize them, with a special focus on avian species.
our goals
1. Protection of the SLR habitat for breeding, feeding, and resting of resident and migratory birds, fish and all wildlife species.
2. Maintenance of the SLR as a visual and scenic corridor as outlined in the City's 2003 Urban River Plan, which highlighted passive recreational opportunities.
3. Prohibition of any recreational activity that can negatively impact river wildlife.
4. Prohibition of any single-use recreational activity on or near the river that may exclude other recreational uses such as bird watching, bird photography, painting, or quiet enjoyment and appreciation of this public natural area/open space.
5. A transparent, inclusive community public process that includes public input hearings, provided by public agencies, not private organizations, to plan changes to river use.
2. Maintenance of the SLR as a visual and scenic corridor as outlined in the City's 2003 Urban River Plan, which highlighted passive recreational opportunities.
3. Prohibition of any recreational activity that can negatively impact river wildlife.
4. Prohibition of any single-use recreational activity on or near the river that may exclude other recreational uses such as bird watching, bird photography, painting, or quiet enjoyment and appreciation of this public natural area/open space.
5. A transparent, inclusive community public process that includes public input hearings, provided by public agencies, not private organizations, to plan changes to river use.
our objectives
1. The City does not issue further special use permits for any sponsored paddling events.
2. The City Department of Parks and Recreation retains its regulation of water sports equipment (9.66.030) on the lower river.
3. Should the City of Santa Cruz decide to change its policy (9.66.030), the City will initiate a formal environmental analysis under CEQA, and provide public town-hall meetings, properly noticed, as part of the CEQA process.
4. The City of Santa Cruz works with federal and state wildlife agencies to restore normal function to the San Lorenzo River lagoon.
5. Nature viewing walks take place on bridge crossings, in San Lorenzo Park, and on the Riverwalk.
6. Passive recreational opportunities, such as photography and Plein Aire painting, take place on the Riverwalk.
2. The City Department of Parks and Recreation retains its regulation of water sports equipment (9.66.030) on the lower river.
3. Should the City of Santa Cruz decide to change its policy (9.66.030), the City will initiate a formal environmental analysis under CEQA, and provide public town-hall meetings, properly noticed, as part of the CEQA process.
4. The City of Santa Cruz works with federal and state wildlife agencies to restore normal function to the San Lorenzo River lagoon.
5. Nature viewing walks take place on bridge crossings, in San Lorenzo Park, and on the Riverwalk.
6. Passive recreational opportunities, such as photography and Plein Aire painting, take place on the Riverwalk.