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.