Politics & Government

Paddles Up! Kayaking and Canoeing Is On Deck

A state grant will fund building a trail and river access to the Pajaro River west of Watsonville.

Water sports on the Pajaro River?

Don’t picture jet skis or white-water rafting, but for those looking for a lazy waterway to paddle a kayak and canoe down—come fall—the river may be just the spot.

The city won a $424,000 grant to build a trail and increase river access at the city Water Resources Center off Beach Street and, Tuesday, the city council approved bidding out the trails project with hopes construction will get underway in August.

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The plan is to open the river to kayaks, canoes and other outdoor activities. Student groups could go on nature hikes along the new paths and families could picnic in the planned recreation area.

“It’s really a real idyllic park setting along the Pajaro River,” said Public Works Assistant Director Bob Geyer, who presented the plan to city councilors.

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The state natural resources grant will add restrooms, bike racks and a picnic facility at the parking lot of the Water Resources Center at 500 Clearwater Ln. There will be an access ramp from the parking lot to the levee and then onto the river levee bench, where the rail will start.

The trail will “T.” One section will split off to a river new overlook platform; the other spur will go to a sandy beach where people can put in non-motorized watercraft, such as kayak or a canoe. The trail will loop through wooded, riparian areas.

Public Works officials expect to begin construction in August. Permits allow them to work from August into October, Geyer said.

The city also recently won a $250,000 Urban Greening Planning grant to create a citywide trails master plan that should add 33 miles to the existing 7 miles of trail. The new trails will head north around the Airport and elsewhere around the city, including connecting to the river path. The trails also will tie-into the new “rail trail” that will be coming into the city in the future, according to Geyer.


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