Park Avenue Rail Trail Options

The staff of the City of Capitola, Santa Cruz County, and the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) have developed two great options for the trail between Capitola Village and New Brighton State Beach. We're excited about these options. They both put the trail on a new elevated path between the Park Avenue roadway and the railroad tracks. Both options protect monarch butterfly habitat, provide users with ocean views, and provide easy access between the neighborhoods and the trail. Both are raised on a curb, similar to a sidewalk. Both include a 12-foot wide trail with a 5-foot buffer zone between the trail and the street.  Most importantly, with the latest construction grant, either one of these options will be fully funded and ready to build. We want to thank the planning staff who have developed these options. We would be delighted to see either of them built. 

Park Avenue looking east toward New Brighton State Beach with the trail next to Park Avenue with a 3" buffer between the street and the trail. (RRM Design Group)

Option A preserves the bike lane on the opposite side of Park Avenue, but has a narrower buffer.

Park Avenue looking east toward New Brighton State Beach with a larger 5" buffer, but no bike lane on the opposite side of the street. (RRM Design Group)

Option B removes the bike lane on the opposite side of Park Avenue and has a wider buffer.

As of March 10th, the Capitola City Council still has not voted to move forward with either one of these options. Without approval of one of the staff plans, the RTC and county will need to defer construction of this trail segment. And as we know, any delay increases expenses and can end up causing a loss of funding. It's an effective way to kill a project.

What's the Big Deal?

Why has the Capitola City Council not approved this plan? The Capitola City Council was barraged with misinformed constituents thanks to the opposition's fear mongering and rumor spreading. They now need to hear from you in order to ensure this piece of the Rail Trail isn’t left out of the construction plans and moves forward as it should with the rest of the segment.

Something Something Measure L

Measure L was a Greenway sponsored ballot measure they ran in Capitola to try and block the Rail Trail from happening. This bogus measure prevents the City of Capitola from spending money on bicycle improvements through-out the village. The Park Avenue Rail Trail proposal to move the Rail Trail inland is not in violation of Measure L because it is a county project.

Do you want to show your support for the Rail Trail? Send your comments to citycouncil@ci.capitola.ca.us