The City of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) are pleased to host the Coastal Rail Trail Groundbreaking Celebration for the first segment of the Coastal Rail Trail — the San Lorenzo River Parkway Phase III/Trestle Trail Project — will take place on Thursday, Jan. 10, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. at the west base of the San Lorenzo River Railroad Trestle Bridge, with a party to follow in the same location from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. The project, which comprises a portion of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network’s Segment 8, will replace the existing 4-foot-wide walkway on the San Lorenzo River Railroad Trestle Bridge with a new multi-use trail that is 10-feet wide. The 32-mile long Coastal Rail Trail is a part of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan.

The public is invited to celebrate — come rain or shine — with City and Santa Cruz County officials and community members who helped to bring this project to fruition over many years. The groundbreaking ceremony will be followed by a free-of-charge community party including speakers, refreshments, commemorative giveaways and Coastal Rail Trail engineering displays.

Attendees may park free of charge at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk River Parking Lot. Free bicycle valet parking is hosted by Bike Santa Cruz County.

The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network is planned to be a braided bicycle/pedestrian network along Santa Cruz County’s coast to provide alternative transportation and coastal access, and foster appreciation for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.