First Phase Of Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail Set To Open

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The first segment of the Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz—the San Lorenzo River Parkway Phase III/Trestle Trail Project—is expected to be completed this month and officials plan to celebrate with a ribbon-cutting May 22. The 30-minute celebration will start at 12:15 p.m. at the west base of the San Lorenzo River Railroad Trestle Bridge. The public is invited to attend.

The 32-mile long Coastal Rail Trail is a part of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan, which has been a years-long project. The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network is planned to be a braided bicycle/pedestrian network along Santa Cruz County’s coast to provide alternative transportation and coastal access, and foster appreciation for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The Trestle Trail phase is being completed ahead of schedule. It is expected to open to the public May 17. The project replaces the 4-foot-wide walkway on the San Lorenzo River Railroad Trestle Bridge with a new multi-use trail that is 10 feet wide.

Those attending the upcoming ribbon-cutting can park free of charge at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk parking lot at the intersection of Beach and 3rd streets provided they mention “ribbon-cutting” at the gate. Free bicycle valet parking is also offered.

For more information, visit www.cityofsantacruz.com. For more information about the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan, click here.