Dear District 5 Resident,
Spring is in full swing! As the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to get outside, explore our parks, and take part in the many events happening around us. On Thursday, I am excited to join Santa Cruz County Parks and the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to celebrate the launch of the Felton Pump Track. It will be the first of its kind in San Lorenzo Valley, offering a safe outdoor recreation activity for families while strengthening community connections. The coming weeks also bring opportunities for you to make a difference. This Saturday, you can again dispose of yard trimmings and green waste for free with my Green Waste Disposal Program—helping to reduce wildfire risk and keeping our community more fire-wise and resilient. Another way to get outside and make a positive impact is by joining a litter clean up on May 9 for Santa Cruz County Pitch In Clean Up Day. Choose from a list of clean-up locations or organize one yourself! This year, I will be joining the Boulder Creek Business Association and local volunteers to help spruce up downtown Boulder Creek. I hope to see you there too! Lastly, I am very pleased to announce a hands-on experience for youth in our district to learn about civic engagement and local government. My office will be working with our South County partners to make sure students in our district have the chance to participate in the Young Supervisors Academy this year. Read on for more information about this program, along with upcoming events and other community news. |
Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 5 |
Celebrating the Launch of the Felton Pump Track |
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Graphic: 3D rendering of Felton Pump Track for representation purposes only, actual build is subject to variances. |
This Thursday, April 23, I will join Santa Cruz County Parks and the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to kick off construction of the Felton Pump Track. For those who wish to join, a brief groundbreaking ceremony will be held at Felton Covered Bridge Park at 11:00 a.m.
The new pump track is a community led project gifted to the County by the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship. It will replace the underutilized volleyball court with a surface suitable for bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerskates/blades. The track design preserves views of the historic bridge, incorporates native plant landscaping, and includes a comprehensive stormwater management system. The Felton Pump Track is the first of its kind in the San Lorenzo Valley, offering a safe and exciting new outdoor recreation option for kids. Projects like this do more than expand recreation—they strengthen community, support healthy living, and keep our parks welcoming and vibrant for generations to come. Learn more about the Felton Pump Track. |
Pace Trail Now Open at Quail Hollow Ranch |
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Images: Photos of the new Pace Trail at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park. |
The Pace Trail is now open to the public! Explore 2.5 miles of scenic trail connecting Quail Hollow Ranch County Park to the Pace Family Wilderness Park, granting public access to this land for the first time ever. The 0.5 access trail begins at the Sunset Trail Overlook and continues for a 2-mile loop with majestic trees, sandhills habitat, and a stunted redwood grove. A big thank you to the dedicated volunteers who helped build the Pace Trail over the past two years, including the California Conservation Corps, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, and Americorps. Grab your hiking boots and check it out! |
Poetry Scavenger Hunt at County Parks |
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Image: Photo from the Poetry Scavenger Hunt at Santa Cruz County Parks. |
Not only are flowers popping up in the park—so is poetry! This month, in celebration of National Poetry Month, a special project by Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Nancy Miller Gomez is bringing poetry to County Parks. Poems by local and national poets have been installed at 16 County Parks, inviting everyone to experience poems in nature. Are you up for the challenge? With the poem as your guide, explore a county park near you (or all 16 if you are up for it!) to find elements that connect to the poem. A winner will be chosen for each location. Participating parks in our district include Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Felton Covered Bridge County Park, and Ben Lomond County Park. Visit the Poetry Scavenger Hunt webpage for information on how to participate. |
Improvements at Ben Lomond County Park |
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Image: New ADA ramp connecting the Ben Lomond Library to the sidewalk near the entrance of the Ben Lomond County Park. |
In collaboration with the Ben Lomond Village Alliance, donors, volunteers, and my office, the Ben Lomond County Park has undergone a series of improvements—just in time for the warmer weather!
A new ADA ramp now connects the Ben Lomond Library to the sidewalk near the park entrance, and the park has a more welcoming, open feeling due to shorter fencing and open entrances. Other improvements include an upgraded flagpole (thanks to SLV Rotary & Eagle Scouts), freshly painted bathroom, new flower beds, the vibrant mural by Yeshi Jackson, and river access. This summer, District 5 Measure K funds will also support needed maintenance work on Wilder Hall, ensuring that the Kreative Kids program and other community events can continue to take place in the facility. |
Green Waste Disposal Program--Saturday, April 25 |
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On the last Saturday of the month through June, you can dispose of yard trimmings or other green waste at no cost at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, making this Saturday your next chance to participate. If you are a District 5 resident and live in the unincorporated areas, I hope you will consider taking advantage of this opportunity to reduce your wildfire risk, harden your home, and help protect your community. Visit the Green Waste Disposal Program website for more details. |
Pitch In and Help Keep Our Streets Clean |
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Let’s work together to keep our home clean! Join me and the Boulder Creek Business Association on Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as we partner with neighbors and community volunteers to remove litter and spruce up downtown Boulder Creek. This event is part of the 2026 Santa Cruz County Pitch In Clean Up Day. Events like this do more than just clean up our streets—they help attract visitors to our local businesses and create a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone. They’re also a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and make a visible impact in a few short hours. All ages are welcome. Just bring some gloves if you have them. Spend the morning with us or even stop by for a short time. Every little bit helps make a difference. Learn more about Pitch In and explore other Pitch In events happening around the County on May 9.
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San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society Celebrates 50 Years |
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Graphic: Proclamation from Supervisor Martinez proclaiming April 14, 2026 as San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society Day. |
I was honored to support the San Lorenzo Valley Museum with a proclamation declaring April 14 as San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society Day in Santa Cruz County. For the past 50 years, the San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society has played a vital role in collecting and telling the stories of our community through art exhibitions and programs. Check out the exhibition Retrospect at the Grace Gallery in Boulder Creek, which looks back at the Society’s 50 years as a non-profit. Learn more about this exhibition and other special events on their website. |
Veterans Village Secures Full Funding for Renovation |
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Image: A housing unit at Veterans Village in Ben Lomond. |
After years of financial struggle and setbacks, Santa Cruz County recently secured $13.3 million in federal funds for the completion of Veterans Village, a small community-based 20-unit permanent housing development for veterans and their families in Ben Lomond. The program helps local veterans, particularly those experiencing homelessness, transition into stable, long-term housing. They also receive support services and a path toward healing and recovery. The development will include renovation of 10 existing cabins and a main house at 8705 Highway 9. It will also add 10 new modular one-bedroom housing units. Additional site improvements include office and laundry facilities and a dedicated on-site property manager’s unit. Construction is expected to begin in May and project completion is anticipated in early 2027. Veterans Village is a great example of what can be accomplished when we think creatively about how to meet our community’s needs. |
Young Supervisors Academy Now Available in District 5 |
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I am pleased to join Supervisor Hernandez to bring the Young Supervisors Academy (YSA) to District 5 this year! Do you know a high school junior or senior or college freshman interested in learning about local government? Encourage them to apply for the Young Supervisors Academy by May 31! The YSA is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in government, leadership, and career exploration. Participants who complete the two-week summer program will receive a $1,000 stipend. The program will run from June 16 to July 1, 2026, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Apply here! |
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