A Summer of Fun in County Parks - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

A Summer of Fun in County Parks

By Zach Friend

Santa Cruz County offers a number of free and low cost summer events, programs and activities in our local parks. These family friendly options include everything from free movie nights, to picnic locations with ocean views, to short and easy hikes in the redwoods to learning how to disc golf.

Events and Activities

Free family-friendly movie nights will be held on the third Thursday of the month (from May-October) at Heart of Soquel Park. Films begin at 8 pm (or dusk) and you are welcome to show up early to bring a picnic to enjoy. While parking is limited, there is free parking at the public parking lots nearby. More information is available on the Parks website at scparks.com

Kids of all ages (including parents) can learn how to disc golf at Pinto Lake Park. An introduction to disc golf will be held on Sunday, July 1st. 10 am-12 pm for ages 5-17 and 1-4 pm for ages 18 and up. Parking is free and the class is free. Afterward you can take a hike through along the shore of the lake. Visit scparks.com for more information and to pre-register for this event.

Looking for a family swim day? While the pool open year-round there are two free swim days this summer at the Simpkins Swim Center in Live Oak. Use the water slide, climbing wall, inner tubes and more in the warm water pool. A bbq will be hosted by the Boys and Girls Club. July 4th and September 3rd from 12pm – 4pm.

For those looking to take a short hike and learn about the diversity of birds in our area, there is a free beginning birding class at Quail Hollow Ranch on Sunday, July 15 from 8-10 am. All ages are welcome.

If your kids want to do a camp or class there are a number of options including two week day camps in art and science. While these do have a fee they offer half-day programs in science exploration and art. Have you ever wanted to launch a rocket? Are you curious about how our muscles work, or the difference between acids and bases? You could do all this and more at the science exploration camp. The art camp is designed to introduce various media to participants, build drawing and painting skills, and instill a life-long love for creating art. Students will have a chance to express themselves using a variety of techniques and explore different art forms, including drawing, painting, printmaking and collage. More details can be found by contacting the Parks Department.

Parks Improvements

Over the last few years, significant investments have been made to parks throughout the County. The park improvements have focused on options for all age groups – with new tot lots for the younger kids to climbing equipment and bike pump tracks for the older kids. All local parks are admission free and a great opportunity to explore

Enjoy a picnic and ocean view (and the new playground equipment) at Seascape Park in Aptos. The older kids might enjoy the climbing equipment (also with an ocean view) at Seacliff Park in Aptos and families of all ages can enjoy the BBQs, climbing equipment and large slides at Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel.

In the near future there will be a new option for kids looking to ride their bikes. A new a bike pump track is slated for construction at Pinto Lake County Park. A pump track is a small elevated bicycle path designed for riders of all ages and skill levels featuring a series of rollers and berms constructed using compacted dirt. Construction should be underway by September and completed before the end of October.

If you have any questions about parks or activities in the County, you can contact County Parks (831) 454-7901 or visit their website at scparks.com. If I can be of any help to you feel free to give me a call at (831) 454-2200.