--- title: Private/Public Partnership Succeeds in Securing Pivotal Property description: Private/Public Partnership Succeeds in Securing Pivotal Property image: https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/20140821_Melchor_003.jpg --- # Private/Public Partnership Succeeds in Securing Pivotal Property Back to Home ![](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/20140821_Melchor_003.jpg) October 17, 2014 - An innovative partnership between the Open Space Authority, [Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)](http://www.openspacetrust.org/) and the [Santa Clara County Parks Department](http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Pages/Welcome-to-Santa-Clara-County-Parks.aspx) came to fruition with the purchase of 285-acres of open space land in the ruggedly beautiful and water rich Southern Santa Cruz Mountains region. Permanent protection of this property will serve the public’s interest by expanding outdoor recreation and education opportunities, while closing gaps in regional trail connections. “Permanent protection of this property will implement a shared vision between the Authority, POST and County Parks to protect and ensure public access to open space in this important region,” said Matt Freeman, Assistant General Manager for the Authority. The Open Space Authority is purchasing the property from the Melchor family for $1.4 million, with Santa Clara County Parks contributing $718,000 (one-half of the total purchase price). The Authority will take ownership of the property and the County will hold a conservation easement which ensures the property will serve a public park purpose by providing future trail access. “This property is key to completing the critical trail route to connect Uvas Canyon County Park to Uvas Reservoir County Park and the West Valley Trail,” said County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, in whose district this parcel is located. “We will continue to work with POST and the Open Space Authority to secure the land necessary to implement these regional trails.” The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) initiated the purchase of the property, coordinated details of the transaction and conducted the environmental due diligence. “An important component of POST’s vision is creating a network of protected lands where people and wildlife can thrive,” said POST President Walter T. Moore. “Partnering with the Open Space Authority and Santa Clara County Parks is key to making that vision a reality.” The Southern Santa Cruz Mountains is identified in the [Santa Clara Valley Greenprint](http://www.openspaceauthority.org/about/strategicplan.html) as one of ten Conservation Focus Areas in Santa Clara County. This mountainous region provides habitat for many rare, threatened and endangered species and offers critical refuge for plants and animals in the face of a changing climate. The 285-acre property consists of open, rolling grasslands that feature six scenic, spring-fed ponds. Much of the property is underlain with rare, serpentine soils with potential for rare plant and animal populations. The land is part of an important connection between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Gabilan Range and Pinnacles National Park which provides safe passage for animals through a critical wildlife corridor, according to the Bay Area Open Space Council’s Conservation Lands Network biodiversity report. **POST** is a leading private, nonprofit land trust that protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 70,000 acres as permanent open space and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.  The **Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department** has provided recreational opportunities, beautiful parks and precious natural resources for Santa Clara County residents for more than 50 years. This golden legacy has resulted in one of the largest regional park systems in the State of California with over 49,000 acres. [Full press release](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/system/documents/Press%20Release_10_20_14_Melchor_Acquisition_OSA_SCC_POST.pdf) October 20, 2014 ## Categories - [Coyote Valley](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/coyote-valley) - [Urban Open Spaces](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-spaces) - [Wildlife](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/wildlife) - [Open Space Authority Initiatives](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/open-space-authority-initiatives) - [Events](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/events) - [Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/agriculture) - [Green Infrastructure](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/green-infrastructure) - [Land Acquisitions](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/land-acquisitions) - [Urban Open Space Corner](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-space-corner) - [Policy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/policy) - [Environmental Justice](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/environmental-justice) - [Community Connections](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/community-connections) - [Restoration](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/restoration) - [Staff Spotlight](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/staff-spotlight) - [Fires](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/fires) - [30th Anniversary](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/30th-anniversary) - [Sustainable Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/sustainable-agriculture) ## Recent Posts - [Celebrating Healthy Soils Week](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/healthysoils) - [Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/openhouseandpeopleschoice) - [The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/illegaldumping) - [A Silent Spring?](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/earth-day-2024) - [Staff Spotlight: Matt Freeman](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/matt-freeman) - [Another Win for Agriculture in Santa Clara County](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/yiu-ace-2024) - [Message from the General Manager](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/gm-update-2024) - [Wildlife Grammy Awards](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-grammys) - [Honoring Dr. King's Environmental Legacy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/dr-kings-environmental-legacy) - [Wildlife Thesaurus: Top 10 Native Animals with Nicknames](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-thesaurus) *For media inquiries contact:* ![](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/Blog_2017/interface/images/Charlotte-Graham.jpg) ## Charlotte Graham Public Information Officer [cgraham@openspaceauthority.org](mailto:cgraham@openspaceauthority.org) #### [Preserves](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves.html) [Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyotevalley.html) [Coyote Ridge](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyoteridge.html) [Rancho Cañada del Oro](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/rancho.html) [Sierra Vista](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/sierra.html) [Trail Maps](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/open-space-preserve-trail-maps.html) [Conditions & Guidelines](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/conditions-guidelines.html) [Recreation](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/recreation.html) [Events](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/events.html) [Plants & Animals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/plants-animals.html) #### [Our Work](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work.html) [Planning Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/planning-coyote-valley.html) [Our Projects](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/conservation-projects.html) [Agriculture](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/agriculture.html) [Land Protection](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-protection.html) [Land Stewardship](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-stewardship.html) #### [Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs.html) [Investing in Nature](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/investing-in-nature.html) [Understanding Our Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/understanding-our-community.html) [Healthy Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/healthy-community.html) [Urban Grant Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-grant-programs.html) [Urban Success Stories](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-success-stories.html) [Environmental Education](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/environmental-education.html) #### [Volunteers](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers.html) [Get Involved](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/get-involved.html) [Individuals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-individuals.html) [Youth & Community Groups](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-youth-community-groups.html) [Businesses](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-businesses-team-building.html) [Acknowledgements](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/acknowledgements.html) [Volunteer Login](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-portal.html) #### [Public Information](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information.html) [Board of Directors](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/board-of-directors.html) [Committees](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/committees.html) [Governance & Policies](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/governance-policies.html) [Public Notices](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/public-notices.html) [Public Meetings](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/public-meetings.html) [Financials](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/financials.html) [Year in Review](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/year-in-review.html) [Document Library](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/document-library.html) [Public Records Request](https://www.openspaceauthority.org//system/user_files/Documents/OSA%20Public%20Records%20Act%20Request%20Guidelines%20and%20Form.pdf) #### [About Us](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us.html) [Goals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/goals.html) [Partnerships](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/partnerships.html) [FAQ](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/faq.html) [History](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/history.html) [Awards & Distinctions](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/awards-distinctions.html) [Staff](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/staff.html) [Careers](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/careers.html) [Contact Us](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/about-us/contact-us.html) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_logo_white.png)](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/) Sign up for the e-newsletter Follow Us [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_facebook2.png)](https://www.facebook.com/openspaceauthority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/open_space_authority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/OpenSpaceSCC) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/scvopenspaceauthority) [![](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/themes/theme_openspace/assets/images/hubspot/hs_youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rSPy2X6LLMxkhmMVGMFpA) © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority [Terms of use](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/terms-of-use.html) [Privacy Policy](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/privacy-policy.html) [Web design by Intechnic](http://www.intechnic.com/)