The Santa Cruz County Parks department opened the new Valle del Pájaro County Park last week, the first park with a Spanish name in county history.
The 38.5-acre park, on former agricultural land at 188 Whiting Rd. outside Watsonville, includes a walking loop trail, a picnic area and Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking — all interim features as the parks department works on a more complete plan, with community input.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the addition of the park in 2023. The county conducted community surveys to gather input into what features and amenities residents wanted to see in the first new county park in decades.
With the help of County Park Friends and community partners, County Parks established a naming committee that worked closely with the community and South County schools to come up with options for naming the new park. In June, the board voted unanimously to approve the Valle del Pájaro name.
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