Celebrate National Public Works Week May 18-24 | | |
At the May 13 City Council meeting, the Public Works Department was presented with a Mayoral Proclamation, recognizing the incredible efforts taken by staff to provide and maintain the highest quality of essential services for our community.
This year marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week (NPWW) sponsored by the American Public Works Association. NPWW honors the public works professionals who plan, design, build, manage, and operate the infrastructure that ensures a higher quality of life for our communities. This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities every day.
In honor of this year’s NPWW, members of the City’s Public Works team will be highlighted on the department’s social media pages. Follow the department on Facebook and Instagram to join in the celebration!
In addition, join Public Works at the following events on Wednesday, May 21:
- Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7 Phase II Ribbon Cutting from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at La Barranca Park
- Touch-A-Truck from 12-2 p.m. in Depot Park.
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| Volunteer June 7 for National Trails Day with Santa Cruz Mountain Trails Stewardship | | |
Sign-ups are now open for the free National Trails Day event hosted by Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) on Saturday, June 7! Whether you're new to trail work or a seasoned steward, there's something for eveyone with more than 20 volunteer projects across the region
Choose your adventure:
SCMTS offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in local open spaces:
- Family-friendly beach cleanups
- Guided educational hikes and nature walks
- Trail repairs and habitat restoration projects
- A free meal and drink for all volunteers
- Live music and games
- 20+ local artists and vendors
- An exciting raffle with prizes from Onewheel and more!
Last year, over 600 volunteers came together to make a difference—don’t miss your chance to be part of Santa Cruz’s biggest outdoor volunteer celebration!
Choose Your Project Site for Santa Cruz National Trails Day
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Learn How the City Budget is Built
To get a closer look at how the City budget works, join us for an upcoming budget webinar!
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
We’ll walk through:
- How the City budget is built
- The current budget landscape
- Interactive tools to explore budget scenarios
Open to everyone — learn how your City plans, spends, and invests!
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New Coastal Rail Trail Segment Opens on May 21 with Event at La Barranca Park | |
Public Works will officially open the Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7 Phase II with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at La Barranca Park. The event will feature remarks from local leadership, a celebratory trail walk with Bayview Elementary School students, educational activities, and light refreshments.
The Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7 Phase II project is a 0.8-mile-long paved bicycle and pedestrian path between Bay Street/California Street and Pacific Avenue/Beach Street. The trail runs along the coastal side of the existing rail line. Walkers and bikers of all ages and abilities will enjoy the rail trail, which provides connections to the popular Beach Street bikeway, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Municipal Wharf.
This recently completed segment of the Coastal Rail Trail serves over 800 active transportation users per day. Together, Phase I and Phase II create 2.1 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail between Natural Bridges Drive and Pacific Avenue at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The two-phase trail will connect more than 30,000 residents who live within one mile of the project to schools, work, beaches, shopping and other activity centers.
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Water Staff Partner on Salmonid Restoration Conference Held in Santa Cruz
The Salmonid Restoration Federation hosted its 42nd Annual Conference in Santa Cruz from April 29 – May 2. Co-sponsored by the City’s Water Department, the conference featured sessions and tours hosted by city staff, including a San Lorenzo River Restoration, Resilience, and Recovery tour. A big thank you to the following groups who helped make the tour a success: Water commissioners, Water staff, Homeless Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Santa Cruz County, Boulder Creek Recreation, San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Resource Conservation District, consultants, and other partners.
| | Celebrate Affordable Housing Month in May! | | |
May is Affordable Housing Month! The Economic Development and Housing Department is excited to share a full calendar of events highlighting local efforts to expand and support affordable housing in our community.
Check out the 2025 Event Quick Guide to find workshops, tours, celebrations, and more happening throughout the month of May. You can also find Affordable Housing Month events on the City Calendar.
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Celebrate Historic Preservation Month in May!
Twenty-five years ago, in April 2000, the Rio Theater was added to the Historic Building Survey. The Streamline Moderne Rio, built in 1949, was celebrated at the time for its state-of-the-art, curved “Cycloramic” screen, designed to create a three-dimensional illusion of depth. By 1999, with declining ticket sales, the theater closed to face an uncertain and perilous future. The following year, Aptos resident Laurence Bedford acquired the Rio and transformed the venue into the thriving performing arts showcase it is today, giving new meaning to the
phrase, “People Saving Places.”
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Marine Division Welcomes New Safety Officers
This past weekend, the Santa Cruz Fire Department welcomed two new Marine Safety Officers, Anaiis Moise and Ben Coffey, to the Marine Division team! The ceremony took place on Cowells Beach with friends, families, and colleagues in attendance. Welcome to the team, Anaiis and Ben!
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Color Our World With Reading This Summer!
Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ 2025 Summer Reading Program kicks off June 1 with the theme Color Our World, celebrating imagination, creativity, and the joy of reading. From now through July 31, readers of all ages can earn prizes for hitting reading milestones and enjoy free events across all 10 library branches and the Bookmobile. Expect magic shows, live music, arts and crafts, and hands-on workshops for kids, teens, and adults, plus chances to win big prizes like Santa Cruz Shakespeare tickets or a Monterey Bay Aquarium membership. Sign up online or visit your local library to get started.
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Join in Bike Fest Events Throughout May
Throughout the month of May, sign up for free bike events and use your bike to get to work, school, run errands, and get around town. Upcoming Downtown Bike Fest Events Include:
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Bike Skills 101: Safe Riding Basics: May 17 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the London Nelson Community Center
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Bike Repair Day: May 20 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Ecology Action
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E-Bike Safety Workshop: May 22 from 12 –1 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium
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Catch Brad Williams This Sunday at the Santa Cruz Civic – This Sunday!
Don’t miss Brad Williams live on his Growth Spurt Tour on Sunday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium!
Known for his high-energy sets and razor-sharp wit, Williams has appeared on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Netflix’s The Degenerates. He’s sold out shows worldwide and made history as the first stand-up comedian to headline a Cirque du Soleil production.
Tickets are still available online or at the Civic Box Office, which opens at 5:30 p.m. on show night.
Come laugh your Sunday night away — don’t miss one of the funniest comedians on tour today!
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Summer Fun Awaits — There’s Still Time to Register!
There’s still time to make it an unforgettable summer with 100s of activities for all ages—from creative camps and outdoor adventures to sports, fitness, music, and more! Kids, teens, and adults can all find something they’ll love.
Don’t miss out on the latest free community events happening all season long. Explore and enjoy Santa Cruz’s parks, open spaces, and recreation, open to all.
Check out the Summer Activity Guide -Browse programs and register online today! Need help signing up? Call at 831-420-5270.
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City of Santa Cruz
City Manager's Office
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz CA 95060
santacruzca.gov
831-420-5010
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