Paths and Trails Connecting all the Monterey Bay Counties
Do we all know that there is a serious Draft Master Plan for Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trails that was put in place in 2012 by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transit?
Do we know that Rails to Trails is an organized idea from bicyclists and hikers?
Did you know that People Power, a Santa Cruz County-based organization has been instrumental in plotting future bicycle paths to San Juan Bautista through Pajaro and Aromas with hopes of connecting on to Fremont Peak and the Pinnacles?
Do we all know that the Trails and Paths on Fort Ord will link to the Monterey Bay Coastal Trails as the Fort Ord Reuse Authority oversees the civilian reuse and redevelopment of the former Fort Ord, and that it will spill over the Old Stage Road and Anza Trail from Salinas?
Did you know that the San Benito River is part of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary watershed as it joins the Pajaro River near 101/129 Highways?
Do we have the audacity to think that a River Parkway could really happen, as is in our Master Plan, connecting our high schools and communities, uniting our county through the riverbed that runs the length of SBC?
Do you know that the Pajaro River has a 150-year history of tourism as trains brought people from San Francisco to the Betabel Resort area and Aromas curative waters?
Do we all know that Santa Clara County has established Paths and Trails along the levy of the Uvas Creek and would like to hook up to SBC?
Do we know that around San Juan, Hollister, and the County many trails have been established by our own Clean Air and Transportation/Bicycle/ Pedestrian elements of the Council of San Benito County Governments (COG)?
Did you know that there is a Historic Anza Trail open for public use just outside of San Juan, offering spectacular views?
Do we know that groups of common citizens have been influential in all of the above plans? Does it not sound like the counties that surround us are waiting for us to catch up?! Connect?! Our City Managers, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commissions and City Councils need your voices to encourage the plans that are gelling around our towns, the County, and the Monterey Bay area.
Great counties have great people, forward looking people, who can see the value of parks, open space and recreation to our quality of life and economy.
R.E.A.C.H. San Benito Foundation is a developing organization created to benefit the whole of San Benito County, as per its bylaws: The purpose of this corporation is to enhance recreation opportunities in San Benito County. In the context of these general purposes, the corporation shall facilitate the health of San Benito County through preservation and enhancement of parks, facilities, and recreational programs through collaboration with public and private entities to provide recreational opportunities, relationships to provide diverse parks facilities, securing funding and resources for parks facilities and programs, and to advocate for recreational needs of the community. Specifically, the corporation shall solicit and receive donations and contributions to enhance existing and to create and develop future public parks and recreational programs, services, facilities and technology, in each case as are consistent with the exemptions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
If this sounds like something you’d like to get involved with, be on the list of champions and supporters, please contact us at [email protected]
Here’s how to give financial support to R.E.A.C.H. San Benito Foundation on May 5:
Silicon Valley Gives is a matching fund day on the web. The ‘go to’ site is: http://svgives.razoo.com/story/Reach-San-Benito-Foundation. This site will give you all the instruction you need, all very secure and easy. Small donations are really important, like $20, because the more donators you have, the more SVGives will notice the organization and add to the coffers for public projects in SBC.
