On Sunday, April 14th, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County hosted a free community event at Antonelli Pond to celebrate the completion of the new all-access ADA trails, ADA picnic benches, terraced banking, pond overlook, interpretative signs, and pollinator gardens. 

Hundreds of people came out to learn more about the project from our staff, experience the new improvements, and participate in a variety of family-friendly activities that connected people to all the wild things that make Antonelli Pond a gem of a neighborhood park. From birdwatching in a birders’ haven, to identifying California native plants in the pollinator garden, and learning more about local environmental services from partner organizations—Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, Natural Bridges State Beach, and Hilltromper—community members were enthralled with how much this little property has to offer.

Simultaneously, the Homeless Garden Project hosted a garden day next door, inviting attendees to check out their garden and providing volunteers with a hands-on experience in sustainable food practices. In addition to the educational fun, people of all ages danced to some groovy tunes in the rain from the Banana Slug String Band while enjoying a free scoop of Marianne’s Ice Cream. Despite the temperamental weather, spirits were high, and the event provided a warm and friendly welcome for all!

On behalf of the entire Land Trust team, we want to thank our funders, California Coastal Conservancy’s Central Coast Program and California State Parks’ Regional Park’s Program (Prop 68), for joining us and making this project possible.

We also want to thank the office of Gail Pellerin, Assemblymember District 28, for supporting this important project from its inception to completion and awarding us with a certificate of recognition.

Most importantly, we want to thank all the Land Trust staff involved with carrying out this vision and of course, our community members for their dedication to not only connecting with nature but with one another!

For more information about Antonelli Pond and its unique history, please visit our property page. Happy trails!