City of Santa Cruz
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Neary Lagoon
FEATURES:
- Wildlife Refuge
- Pollinator Garden
- Two Playgrounds
- Greenbelt Trails
- Tennis Courts
- Basketball Half Court (end of Chestnut St.)
- BBQ Pits (end of Chestnut St.)
- Access to Neary Lagoon via Floating Boardwalks
SURFACES:
Sand, Grass, Asphalt
RESTROOM:
Located at California St. & Bay St.
DOG REGULATIONS:
No dogs allowed.
PARKING:
Limited parking at California St. & Bay St.
NOTES:
Abundant wildlife viewing. Peaceful place for a walk. Interpretative signage and information available on site. No dogs allowed in wildlife refuge area.
Neary Lagoon is an important part of the urban watershed for the City of Santa Cruz. A drainage area of approximately 850 acres empties into the lagoon, and from there, out to the ocean.
Public entrances to the Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge are located at the end of Chestnut Street, the end of Blackburn Street, and at the corner of Bay Street and California Street.
Wildlife inhabiting or visiting the refuge include mallard and wood ducks, pied billed grebes, a multitude of coots, the world's meanest geese, several varieties of fish and the occasional great blue heron or hawk.
A wooden pontoon walkway and trail system was recently added to the refuge, allowing a complete circuit around and through the refuge. The walk is under 1 mile, and is very popular with families with children.
It is also a significant shortcut for west side residents walking downtown, skirting the steep Laurel Street hill up to California Street.
Clam Chowder Cook-Off!
Cook Off Saturday Feb 22 AND Sunday Feb 23
- Date: - (all day)
- Location: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060 - Introduction: Teams compete in the friendly competition, hoping to win prizes and bragging rights for the BEST Clam Chowder in the COUNTRY'S largest and longest running clam chowder competition!
2-Day Event- Rain or Shine!
Amateur chefs will compete on Saturday, followed by professional chefs on Sunday! Join the delicious festivities as amateur and professional chefs prepare their finest clam chowder recipes along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
Teams compete in the friendly competition, hoping to win prizes and bragging rights for the BEST Clam Chowder in the COUNTRY'S largest and longest running clam chowder competition!
Chowder Kits and Merch Available for Pre-Sale Starting Tuesday, November 12th!
Purchase your kits and merch online! Presale set to end on Thursday, February 20 at 11:59 pm. Visit to www.cityofsantacruz.com/chowdermerch to purchase online. Limited merchandise and tasting kits will be available for purchase on-site, while supplies last.
Pick up your tasting kits and merch at one of our Parks and Recreation booths on the day of the event!
**Must bring receipt and ID to pick up merchandise. No refunds. Not available for transfer or resale.**
- Merchandise Booths open at 9:30 am
- Shirts, hoodies, collectors pins, stickers and totes (while supplies last)
- Public tasting begins at 1:00 pm
- Please note: we are providing "Flat Pack" tasting kits this year
- Inside the bag you will have a spoon, napkin, tasting tickets, two ballots (Manhattan and Boston)
- Your cup will be given to you separately during pick up at P&R Booths
For more information on merchandise and tasting kits, contact Parks and Recreation at (831) 420-5273.
Team registration opens on Tuesday, November 12th
Team Registration information available at beachboardwalk.com/Clam-Chowder-Cook-Off