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Visit this page to view current Parks and Community Services Department projects.
Public Notice: The Environmental Review Record for the Watsonville City Plaza ADA Improvements / Restroom Project can be viewed here. Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Watsonville, 250 Main Street, Watsonville, CA or by email to benjamin.heistein@cityofwatsonville.org. All comments received by September 11, 2020 will be considered by the City of Watsonville prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan
This past year, the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department has been working with Verde Design to lead a community input process to develop the Department's Strategic Plan and park master plans for the City Plaza and Ramsay Park. Results of the community input process will be used to create the strategic direction and priorities of the Parks and Community Services Department for the next 5-10 years. The resulting Strategic Plan will serve as an action plan and update to the 2009 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
For project updates and to view the latest draft, please visit: Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan and Parks Master Plans. For more information on this project, please contact Nick Calubaquib at nick.calubaquib@cityofwatsonville.org.
Watsonville City Plaza Expansion and Revitalization Project
Through the planning process described above, a community driven Master Plan for the City Plaza has been created. The City has applied for a grant through the State of California's Department of Parks and Recreation to fund this project and is expected to hear back in Spring 2020. In the meantime, City staff are working towards installing a permanent restroom in the Plaza in the summer of 2020. Please use the following links to view more information on the project. For more information on this project, please contact Nick Calubaquib at nick.calubaquib@cityofwatsonville.org.
Ramsay Park Master Plan
Through the planning process described above, a community driven Master Plan for Ramsay Park has been created. It is anticipated that the plan will be finalized by January 2020. For more information on this project, please contact Nick Calubaquib at nick.calubaquib@cityofwatsonville.org.
Ramsay Park Master Plan Design
Several components of this Master Plan are in the works, including a comprehensive park trail system, and a bicycle pump track.
Ramsay Park Trail System
The trail system is funded by a $1.3 million Urban Greening Grant from the State of California. The project is currently in design phase with construction anticipated to commence in the second half of 2020.
Bicycle Pump Track
The City is partnering with Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz to design and build a state of the art pump track in the location of the old skate park. A generous anonymous donor has committed to funding the project, with construction anticipated for Fall 2020.
Muzzio Park Playground Replacement
In the late night hours of Monday, July 8, 2019, the Watsonville Police Department responded to a fire at Muzzio Park. The Fire Department arrived to extinguish the fire that was caused by vandals who had placed wooden pallets under the Park’s playground structure and set them on fire. The fire was quickly brought under control and no other Park amenities were affected, however, the playground structure was completely destroyed.
The goal of this project is to increase community health and wellness by (1) replacing the well-used play structure that was destroyed and (2) increasing use and accessibility by expanding the size and footprint of the play area. Muzzio Park neighbors selected the playground design pictured here.
The Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services are hosting a Go Fund Me campaign to help offset the costs of this project.
For more information on this project, please contact Nick Calubaquib at nick.calubaquib@cityofwatsonville.org.
Bay Breeze Tree Replacement Project
Within the Bay Breeze subdivision, the City plans to remove and replace 59 street trees and repair adjacent sidewalk sections that are damaged. This work is needed to keep the neighborhood’s sidewalks safe and prevent further damage. All trees will be replaced with an appropriate substitution and options include several climate-appropriate varieties (Frontier Elms and White-Flowering Crape Myrtles). Replacement trees will be planed in later January 2020.
Residents on Kingfisher, Pelican, Yarro and Egret are asked to turn off the irrigation system that waters the street tree in front of their homes until further notice.
For more information, please contact Jose Rocha at jose.rocha@cityofwatsonville.org.
Informational Letter to Bay Breeze Residents
Community Meeting Powerpoint Presentation (10/29/19)
Bridge Street Medians Landscape Renovation
In 2019, the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services and the Public Works and Utilities Departments completed Phase 1 of renovating the landscaping on the Bridge Street median islands. Phase I included the three median islands from Joyce Dr. to E. Bronte Ave. Starting in early February 2020, the city is commencing work on Phase II of the project which will encompass the median island from E. Bronte Ave. to Hushbeck Ave.
The intent of this project is to implement sustainable improvements that beautify the medians, while reducing water usage and maintenance costs. The project will eventually replace the grass at all five islands on Bridge Street with low-growing drought tolerant plants that will be irrigated by a low-volume subsurface irrigation system. Additionally, up to seventeen new trees will be added to the medians.
After Phase II of the project is completed, in Winter 2021 the city will commence the final phase of landscape renovations on the median island between Hushbeck Ave. and Beck St.
For more information, please contact Ben Heistein at benjamin.heistein@cityofwatsonville.org or at (831) 768-3150.
Community Meeting Presentation (09/27/18)
Phase I Landscaping Plan - Joyce Dr. to Tuttle Ave.
Phase I Landscaping Plan - Tuttle Ave to E. Bronte Ave.
Phase II Landscaping Plans (coming soon)