Help Get Improvements to Ocean View Bike/Pedestrian Path

Neighbors of Ocean View Avenue (NOVA) has started a petition to the city council to repair and improve the short path from Ocean View Park down to East Cliff Drive. This path is used by many bicyclists as well as pedestrians who currently have to navigate around deep ruts. The condition of the route is potentially hazardous. We would like your help to make sure this path is repaired this year.

This path is a pleasant and efficient way for people in the area to reach Seabright Beach, the Beach-Boardwalk area, the trails along the levee, and the future skate park. It is also an easy way for people in the lower Ocean area, or traveling along the levee, to reach Ocean View Park and the shops along Soquel Ave. Improving the condition of the path would encourage more use and easier bicycle and pedestrian access.

WHY NOW? Budget time is approaching and the city council needs to hear that repair of this path is a priority. NOVA has already met with Steve Hammack of the Parks Department and secured his agreement to include funds for this repair in his budget for the next fiscal year. Repairing the path to make it suitable for pedestrians, bicyclists and wheelchair users would cost less than $20,000. But, to make sure it happens, the city council needs to hear that this is a priority for the community.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Write a letter to the city council expressing your support (see sample letter below) or send email to: citycouncil@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us.

Better yet, help collect signatures to present to the city council. You can download a copy of the petition from the People Power web site or get copies by calling Eric Child directly (831-423-8072).

Signed petitions can be dropped off at the new People Power office (703 Pacific Avenue, at the corner of Spruce and Pacific) or to Eric Child (419 Ocean View Ave., Santa Cruz 95062). We will coordinate presentation to the city council.

Please help us ensure that the City Council knows that repair of this important transportation link is a priority.

Sample Letter

Address To:

Santa Cruz City Council
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

DATE

Dear Mayor Mathews and Santa Cruz City Council,

We urge the city council to fully fund and assign a high priority in 2006 to rebuilding the path from Ocean View Park to East Cliff Drive. This path has become a safety hazard and poses a liability to the city as well as an obstacle to the many people who use this path every day.

Walkers, joggers, bike riders, children from Familia Center, and especially mothers with strollers use this path. It is a great way for people in the lower Ocean neighborhood to access our beautiful park. This path is a pleasant and efficient way for people in our greater neighborhood to reach Seabright Beach, the Beach/Boardwalk area, the trails along the levee, and the skate park when it is completed.

The Parks Department has obtained a preliminary estimate for rebuilding this dangerous trail into an ADA compliant path that would serve everyone well—bike riders and pedestrians. For less than $20,000 this work can be done. Please make sure it is a priority in the upcoming budget for the Parks department.

SIGNATURE
NAME (PLEASE PRINT)
ADDRESS