Posted on 07/01/2015 5:13:42 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Park, wildlife habitat in north Morgan Hill will be open to public year-round Story
A new open space park in north Morgan Hill will open Saturday, June 27, offering opportunities, sweeping valley vistas, preservation of longtime agricultural uses and unspoiled habitats for native wildlife, according to the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority.
The Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, whose entrance and parking areas are located at 550 Palm Ave., is a 348-acre preserve acquired by the OSA in 2010. The authority paid about $3.4 million for the property, which is the former home and ceremonial site of the Ohlone People who lived on the land for about 6,000 years.
The OSA has identified the Coyote Valley as one of the top 10 priority natural landscapes remaining in Santa Clara County that are critically important to protect from development, according to OSA staff. The preserve’s many conservation values include cultural history, water resources, farm and ranchland and a critical wildlife corridor. The preserve is also home to a newly constructed trail for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. “Coyote Valley is truly a jewel in the crown of Silicon Valley,” said Andrea Mackenzie, General Manager of the OSA. “The Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve offers visitors a unique new outdoor opportunity to step back in time, connect with the Valley’s rich farming heritage and discover the many natural wonders of the region.”
Up until the recession and real estate crash of 2009, Coyote Valley, which stretches from north Morgan Hill to south San Jose, was eyed by developers for decades as a potential site for corporate campuses, tract homes and other commercial ventures. The economic downturn offered the OSA an opportunity to purchase the property and preserve it for generations to come, according to OSA staff.
The preservation of Coyote Valley is key to protecting the local water supply, as the Coyote Valley floor contains the last remaining undeveloped groundwater recharge area for Silicon Valley, OSA staff added. In addition, the land surrounding Coyote Creek is critical for rainfall capture and provision of water supply.
Heritage valley oaks and serpentine grasslands dot the preserve, which encompasses rolling hills, rock outcroppings and native grasslands with blankets of wildflowers in the spring months, according to OSA.
Recreation amenities include the new four-mile Arrowhead Loop Trail, which leads hikers, cyclists and equestrians to a ridgetop with sweeping views of Mount Hamilton, Mount Umunhum and the Coyote Valley. Authority staff have dilapidated structures, constructed 6 sturdy redwood bridges and built a scenic trail, parking area, picnic areas and restroom in preparation for public use. Visitors can also learn about the area’s wildlife, cultural resources and water resources through a series of educational panels.
The Coyote Valley preserve lands also provide habitat for some of the Bay Area’s iconic plant and animal species, including the Bay checkerspot butterfly, Opler’s longhorn moth, golden eagles, Santa Clara Valley dudleya, smooth lessingia and jewelflower.
The preserve even offers agriculture, as the OSA leases pasture for cattle grazing to the nearby Tilton Ranch, according to OSA staff. Cattle grazing on the property promises to enhance habitat for the Bay checkerspot butterfly and other threatened species by reducing invasive plants.
The Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve will be open year-round following an opening ceremony the morning of June 27, which required advance registration and is already fully booked, according to OSA staff. The preserve will be open from 7 a.m. to sunset every day, free of charge.
The park is the third public preserve to be opened by the OSA. Since 1993, the OSA has acquired and preserved more than 16,000 acres of open space in Santa Clara County.
Take even more land off the market and wonder why tax revenues fall and housing prices rise.
IBM is out there (ish).. I seem to recall that Cisco was looking to build there. Must have not worked out. It’s all flat grassland and a few oaks that are at the southern extreme of Silicon Valley.
There was a power failure in Palo Alto today... I wonder if it was due to inability to meet power demands. The SV companies don’t want that sort of liability.
They were planning to starting about 1999, but with the economic downturn, they decided not to by 2002. It’s all flat grassland and a few oaks that are at the southern extreme of Silicon Valley.
This new park has a tiny bit of the flat grasslands, but most of it is hills. Up to 900 feet about sea level. It backs up on the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club.
Power demand is high due to the heat. Power companies are asking for conservation/reduced demand.
OMG...let's all hope that the BLM doesn't read this, they might have to reconsider grazing rights.
Those invasive plants invaded long ago. Volunteers are always working at the Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto to remove them, but it’s a losing battle.
Thanks. I got out in 1999. I used to spend plenty of time riding horses in the local county parks Quicksilver and Mt. Mandonna... and Coe State Park. I can picture where this new open space must be.
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