The Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Santa Cruz is working on redesigning San Lorenzo Park. The city has hired Bionic Landscape, Inc., a landscape architecture firm, to conduct a needs assessment, engage the public, develop a vision, set goals and principles, create conceptual designs and alternatives, and prepare a conceptual master plan for future improvements and programs. Throughout this process, there will be various opportunities for feedback, including engagement with stakeholders, community meetings, surveys, and public meetings at important stages for guidance. The process is intended to transition from analyzing current conditions and community needs and desires, to establishing goals to meet those needs and desires, to exploring different design scenarios, to developing specific development, use, and design criteria, and finally, to creating the conceptual master plan for the park. Your participation in this project is welcomed!

San Lorenzo Park Visioning Project:

• The visioning project is nearing its final review stages after more than a year of robust community engagement and input.
• The project webpage provides a detailed outline of the redesign and community engagement process.

Final Vision Presentation:

• The Parks & Recreation Department aims to present the final vision for both the San Lorenzo Park Uplands and Riverlands to the Parks & Recreation Commission in February 2025.
• This timeline allows for thorough coordination with NOAA regarding the grant parameters and for unifying the Uplands and Riverlands into a cohesive project.

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant:

In July 2024, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) received a $71 million grant from NOAA for the Monterey Bay region, with $8 million allocated to three projects in the City of Santa Cruz, including San Lorenzo Park.

• NOAA Grant Allocation: A $2.5 million portion of the NOAA grant will enable the Parks & Recreation Department to fully design, permit, and construct the revitalization project in the San Lorenzo Park Riverlands.

Departmental Coordination:

• The Parks & Recreation Department will begin coordinating with the grantor and will provide informational updates to the Parks & Recreation Commission in October and December.
• Coordination efforts will focus on understanding grant parameters, aligning deliverables, and integrating the Uplands and Riverlands projects into a unified vision.

Keep an eye on this page for regular updates as we move forward with this exciting project. Your input and support have been invaluable in shaping the future of San Lorenzo Park.

• Project Update Noticing List: Please email Noah Downing at ndowning@cityofsantacruz.com to be placed on a noticing list.
• Project Contact: Noah Downing, Park Planner, 831-420-5362, ndowning@cityofsantacruz.com

• January 8, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - Agenda Report and Attachments
  
• ESA Memorandum (Revised) - This revised version corrected an issue with the photo in Figure 2.
• Staff's Recommended Layout and Use Concept for the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting on January 8, 2024
• October 7, 2023 Community Meeting #2 -- Community Meeting #2 Presentation
• August 8, 2023 City Council Meeting - Agenda Report and Attachments
• May 8, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - Agenda Report and Attachments
• San Lorenzo Park Needs Assessment (April 28, 2023)
  • Section 1, Executive Summary and Needs Assessment (English / Spanish)
  • Section 2, Existing Conditions Research, Observations, and Engagement Process
  • Section 3, Appendix