Better Access for All: Coyote Valley Trail Improvements


Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve offers visitors a broad range of outdoor activities, with opportunities for hiking, bird and wildlife watching, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

A new trail improvement seeks to make this preserve easier to access for all visitors, including those with strollers and wheelchairs, while giving people more access to scenic outlooks and interpretive signage sharing the preserve’s natural history.

At only one-quarter of a mile long, the Heart’s Delight Trail is a short but important segment of the preserve’s trail network, connecting the parking area through the picturesque North Meadow. This segment contains a range of expansive oak trees, which provide wildlife habitat, and is a key spot for birdwatching and picnicking, as well as a respite from the summer heat.

The Open Space Authority’s Planning Team is looking to identify opportunities for improvements to the Heart’s Delight Trail, including stabilizing the trail surface and adding trailside amenities, like additional seating and interpretive learning stations for individual and small group use.

CVAL - Landscape - D.Neumann - Apr-08-2017 - 9-1

The preserve’s North Meadow is within the Fisher Creek Watershed and will also be considered for future restoration and wildlife-friendly recreational amenities. This location is envisioned as part of a regional north-south trail network with future connections north to the Authority’s North Coyote Valley Conservation Area and Santa Clara County parklands.

This project is the first step in realizing a longer-term vision for ecological restoration, enhanced wildlife habitat, and nature-based recreation.

Funding for this project comes from the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Safe, Clean Water Project D3 Trails Grant Program and through Measure Q.

Coyote Valley OSP - Landscapes - DN - Dec-29-2017 - 2-1

Check out the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve project page to learn more and get involved in the planning and design process.

Join our mailing list if you would like to receive project updates with opportunities for providing feedback on the public access plan and designs at Coyote Valley.

August 05, 2020
For media inquiries contact:

Charlotte Graham

Public Information Officer
cgraham@openspaceauthority.org