'Parking For Hope' Kicks Off In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA – The fifth annual Parking for Hope downtown holiday program runs this year from Tuesday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Dec. 25, with proceeds from street meters donated to Hope Services, in a partnership between the City of Santa Cruz and the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz.

Hope Services, a local nonprofit, has helped keep clean Pacific Avenue and other downtown Santa Cruz streets for more than 20 years while providing training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities.

“Hope Services serves everyone who works and visits downtown Santa Cruz,” said Santa Cruz Hope Services Program Manager Sheryl Hagemann. “Our Downtown Litter Abatement crew sweeps the sidewalks and gutters and cleans the recycling and trash containers — all of which contribute to the health of the local environment.”

Parking for Hope has been well received by the public since it began as a pilot program in 2014, according to authorities. To date it has generated $113,240 in funds for Hope Services, a figure that includes $29,740 that was donated in 2017.

Downtown street parking meters will be posted with placards describing Parking for Hope. Parkmobile pay by phone parking fees of 35 cents per transaction will be waived for the eight program days.

The City’s Wharf holiday parking program will remain the same as last year with the first hour free of charge from Monday, Dec. 17, through Monday, Dec. 24; Dec. 25 is free all-day.

AND COMING UP NEARBY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

• Roaring Camp Railroads' Holiday Lights Train 2018: Santa Cruz
• Gilroy Gardens At Night Holiday 2018: Gilroy
• An ABBA-Solutely Christmas Show 2018: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
• The Nutcracker With Live Orchestra 2018: Santa Cruz

--Images via Santa Cruz Public Works Department