News!

Pajaro River Agricultural Preserve, Near Gilroy

The Authority recently purchased 183 acres of farmland in South Santa Clara County where the Pajaro River and Llagas Creek intersect. The land provides tomatoes, peppers, and leaf lettuces and the farm is part of a large complex of protected, productive farms that also provide flood prevention benefits to downstream communities. The property, which is south of the City of Gilroy, has been designated the Pajaro River Agricultural Preserve. The Authority's intent is to keep it in productive agriculture, while also managing it for the other benefits that our working landscapes provide.

Private/Public Partnership Succeeds in Securing Pivotal Property

October 17, 2014 - An innovative partnership between the Open Space Authority, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and the Santa Clara County Parks Department 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.

Julian McPhee Family Bequeaths Beloved 116-Acre Family Property

The Open Space Authority Board of Directors voted to accept the generous gift of a 116-acre property from the Julian McPhee family. The property, located in the water-rich area of the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the Upper Uvas Creek Watershed adjacent to Uvas Canyon County Park, presents an opportunity to expand recreation in the eastern foothills and provide visitors with a unique redwood experience.

“This property has been in our family for many years and was used as a weekend getaway,” said Rick Lavalle, grandson of Julian McPhee. “We are so pleased that the land will be protected in perpetuity and provide wildlife habitat, scenic views and future hiking and recreation for the public.”

New Property on Coyote Ridge!

Key Land Purchase Expands Open Space Authority Preserve in Southern Santa Clara County

On October 11th, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Board of Directors gave final approval to acquiring 120-acres on Canada Road in southern Santa Clara County. The property, owned by Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, is adjacent to the southerly border of the Authority’s 702-acre property purchased in 2007, which will be enlarged to create a 822-acre open space preserve.

Recent Acquisition Protects Llagas Creek Watershed

Llagas Creek is a primary source of fresh water for the county’s agricultural sector and is designated as critical habitat for the threatened South-Central California Coast (S-CCC) steelhead trout. The land affords potential habitat for the smooth lesinga and Santa Cruz Mountain’s beardstongue, two state-listed threatened plant species.

"A Little Piece of Heaven"

The Open Space Authority purchased 160-acres of pristine property in a partnership with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). The Authority will add the land to its 4,334 acre Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve.

“This property contains the headwaters of Twin Falls Creek in Edson Canyon, a tributary of Llagas Creek.  Preservation of this land allows us to expand our stewardship of this fragile watershed and contribute to the protection of our county’s water supply,” said Open Space Authority’s General Manager Andrea Mackenzie.

Watershed Property Protected

The Authority has acquired 160+ acres off Casa Loma Road just west of its Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. The property is lush with mixed evergreen forest, Coast live oak forest, and riparian forest with two seasonal tributaries to Llagas Creek, an important steelhead stream. Preservation of this property contributes to the protection of the Llagas Creek Watershed and helps maintain important habitat. In the future, this property could provide a bridge for a future trail that extends between Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve and the Authoritys holdings in the Uvas Creek Watershed, thereby expanding public access and recreation in the area.

One small step for hilltop access in Morgan Hill

El Toro, the iconic peak on the western edge of Morgan Hill, has long been a tantalizing but forbidden treat for hikers because much of it is private property. The Morgan Hill Historical Society has hosted annual hikes on the peak, offering the only access.