PRESS RELEASE
October 28, 2024
Midpen opens new trails at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
Open Space District celebrates 10 miles of trail and 10 years of Measure AA
LOS GATOS, CA -- The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District officially opened more than four miles of new public trails at its popular Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near the town of Los Gatos over the weekend.
With the opening of these new trails, Midpen is celebrating reaching 10 total miles of public trails in Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve and 10 years of accomplishments made possible by voters passing Midpen’s Measure AA in 2014.
"Building enjoyable trails that stand the test of time and protect the natural environment is an art and a science, and the hard work put in by Midpen staff here at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve has resulted in a restored landscape and new opportunities for the community to connect with nature for generations to come," said Midpen General Manager Ana María Ruiz. "I would also like to thank our community for trusting Midpen to preserve and care for these lands. In 2014, local voters passed Measure AA, increasing the size and impact of beneficial projects Midpen has been able to deliver to protect and restore this corner of the planet on behalf of the public."
The trail-opening event included speeches, including one from California State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and guided hike. The event was attended by Midpen staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the project, partners and supporters, reporters and staff from Senator Dave Cortese's office.
Protecting open space is incredibly important. These towering redwoods and forests absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change and improve both air and water quality,” said Pellerin. “Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve offers a place of respite and room to breathe, and celebrates the power of community investment where people and nature can thrive together. I commend Midpen for their tireless efforts to preserve and restore our open spaces.”
During the event, former Midpen board member Pete Siemens was recognized by staff and his family for nearly three decades of public service with several of the newly built trails named in his honor. Siemens, who was a strong advocate for Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, passed away in 2023.
The new trails provide public access to a previously closed area of this 1,400-acre preserve known for its redwood forests close to Silicon Valley and a long, storied history of human uses. The new trails were expertly built by Midpen staff to wind through grasslands, oak woodlands, redwood forests and over several creeks on newly constructed bridges, exemplifying how Midpen balances environmental protection and restoration with ecologically sensitive public access.
Opening Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve to the public in 2019, and building new trails here was made possible in-part thanks to local voters passing Measure AA in 2014. This 30-year, $300 million bond specifically funds open space projects in Midpen's community-supported Vision Plan.