Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce Upgrades Coming to Local Parks, Libraries, By Zach Friend, Supervisor

FEATURED COLUMNIST Upgrades Coming to Local Parks, Libraries

Park Upgrades

Local parks are primarily funded through local sales and other taxes and sharp declines in tax receipts last quarter will have an impact on parks (and other County services in general). But there are still a number of exciting improvements coming to local parks, including some that have already been funded.

One longstanding need was an improved pedestrian walkway and safer access point outside of Pinto Lake Park. We partnered with Supervisor Caput’s office (our districts share Green Valley Road) to combine district funds to rebuild a pedestrian pathway along Green Valley that is used by many residents to access Pinto Lake Park. The new pathway, constructed by County Public Works, was completed in June and has already improved the safety and acces sibility of the park for local residents.

The Board of Supervisors, at the last meeting in June, approved a contract to install a new permanent restroom at Seacliff Village Park. The park, which is being constructed in-home care services company in Santa Cruz, is recognizing people who have helped during the COVID-19 pandemic with “Gratitude Treats” — a box of cupcakes or cookies and brownies made by locally owned Buttercup Cakes and Farmhouse Frosting.

The first delivery was made June 19 to the employees of Santa Cruz County Bank, which helped businesses secure Paycheck Protection Program loans to keep 29,000 employees on the payroll.

Jackie Tucker, owner of Care From the Heart with her husband Jeff Tucker, called the employees at Santa Cruz County Bank “eco nomic first responders” for processing Paycheck Protection Program loans for our community.

“Because of Santa Cruz County Bank’s responsiveness to the crisis and their dedi cation and commitment to the community, our business is able to stay open and operate during these challenging times,” she said. “Thank you.”

in phases according to the park master plan, already includes the necessary utilities and infrastructure as part of the initial phase construction.

The restroom is anticipated to be com pleted by November of this year. The park now includes a play area, picnic area and skate feature. The Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks and local residents have also been fundraising to complete the final phase of the park, which would include other elements in the master plan such as shade structures, a small outdoor amphitheater and more.

At Hidden Beach Park, the County has been working to upgrade the playground and provide new features and greater accessibility for children of all abilities. Working with the Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks and local community leaders including the The DeBer nardo Team, an active fundraising effort is underway to finalize the upgrades in memory of the remarkable 5-year-old Jett Ramsey, who lost his battle with cancer in April and loved playing at Hidden Beach Park with his family. The County has design plans and is matching funding to make the park become a reality. •••

Library Upgrades

On one of my recent tele-town halls, Library Director Susan Nemitz discussed some of the improvements planned for Capitola, Aptos

On July 10, a delivery of Gratitude Treats was made to employees of the Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center, nurses at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Clinic in Santa Cruz and the Dominican Hospital Case Management Department.

Gratitude Treats were delivered to the Dominican Home Health Clinic in Capitola, too. By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District and La Selva branch libraries. La Selva and Capitola are well underway (with anticipated openings of later this year).

In Capitola, a number of upgrades including a community/meeting room with flexible furnishings, an expanded children’s area and dedicated teen area, enhanced book and media selections, laptop and computer plugins around the library and all meeting rooms including laptops available as public access computers and reader and study seating spread around the library, including an adult reading nook and a fireplace reading area are all underway.

In La Selva, improvements to the children’s area, new flexibility in the space for meetings and book clubs, increases in natural lighting and airflow, expansion of the available seating for reading and studying, a new accessible entry on the north side of the building, bathroom upgrades, a new service desk, upgraded data and electrical, and an outdoor patio area are part of the remodel.

The Board of Supervisors will be awarding a contract on the Aptos Library in early August. The Aptos Branch Library was originally con structed in 1975 and is currently 8,000 square feet. Multiple community outreach sessions were held to get a sense of how best to approach a remodeled (and expanded) space. There are some exciting partnerships planned, including

working with the Aptos History Museum, to provide a modern and accessible library. After August we will have a better sense of the construction timeline but the goal is to ensure that neighboring branches (La Selva and Capitola) are open before any construction begins to ensure options continue to be provided for local residents.

As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue).

I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting tele-townhalls with County and community leaders. n •••

If you’re interested in the town halls or just want to connect on an issue you can always call me at 454-2200.

First Responders Receive ‘Gratitude Treats’

Care From The Heart, a locally owned

COMMUNITY NEWS

Gratitude Treat boxes can be purchased at www.carefromtheheart.net for $25 or $30, which includes delivery countywide with a personalized note from the sender.

Santa Cruz Vac & Sew has teamed up with Care From The Heart for a thank-you program called “Lunch with Friends.”

This program is designed to recognize responders who are working tirelessly during these challenging times by providing them with nutritious boxed lunches from the food truck Ate3One.

The first delivery was made June 26 for 150 employees of Dominican Hospital.

For every facemask sold by Santa Cruz Vac & Sew, the business will donate a portion of each sale, which is matched dollar-fordollar by Care From The Heart, to buy the boxed lunches.

Nick Szluk, owner with Clare Markovits of Santa Cruz Vac & Sew, said he plans to extend this program to other “first responder” organizations. He hopes to get other local businesses involved.

To order a box of Gratitude Treats’ baked goodies call (831) 471-8802 or visit http://www. gratitudetreats.com. n

To support Lunch with Friends, visit Santa Cruz Vac & Sew, 806 Ocean St., Santa Cruz or www.SantaCruzVacnSew.com or call 831-464-8181.