Improving Access and Safety

Imagine if the lower San Lorenzo River felt more like a front yard than a back alley.

CWC is transforming the lower San Lorenzo River and riverfront parks – the Santa Cruz Riverwalk and San Lorenzo Park – into community destinations. These destinations draw a variety of people from diverse backgrounds, with the goal of making people feel safe at the river and providing access to a wide variety of activities that allow people to relax, recreate, connect to nature, learn about the river and act to benefit the environment.

Riverfront parks should be easy to access by being linked to other important locations. Once there, people should find it easy to stay, with multiple reasons to linger. By designing and building or modifying physical components or infrastructure the space becomes more conducive to hosting events and engaging programming and more attractive for regular informal use. Examples include increased ADA access, wayfinding signage, interpretive signage, lighting, seating, restrooms, landscaping, habitat demonstration sites, trails and other amenities.