Facilities General Information
Santa Cruz County Parks Department
979 17th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Facilities Office:
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Phone (831)454-7938
Fax (831)454-7940
Email: reservations@scparks.com
The Facilities Office of the Santa Cruz County Parks Department is a dynamic division within the parks and recreation department. We are proud to offer beautiful facilities and exceptional customer service.
From neighborhood parks to large regional parks, there is something for everyone in our well-maintained and designed parks and facilities. Most parks are available for drop-in use for small or unorganized groups; however the indoor facilities require a reservation. If you are planning an outdoor event, there are picnic areas and athletic fields available for reservations.
View Parks Features for information about amenities available at each park. Explore our website for more information on parks and reservable facilities. Please contact the Facilities office with any additional questions or inquiries.
Park Hours: Parks are open from dawn to dusk. For available hours for reservations at County Parks facilities, please review the conditions of use specific to each facility type.
Reservation Procedures: Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental fees are due at the time of the booking. The following forms of payment are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, check, cash or money order. Before making a reservation, please familiarize yourself with the facility conditions of use.
Reservations can be made in one of three ways:
- Download and submit an application for the desired facility from the website. It can be faxed, mailed in or dropped by the Facilities office with payment. Be sure to review the agreement to hold harmless and conditions of use. Indoor center rentals require submission of a signed conditions of use with the application.
- Call the Facilities Office during office hours, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Phone-in reservations require a credit card payment. The signed original contract is due back within 10 days from the day of payment. Contracts will only be mailed or emailed with more than three weeks notice of the event date.
- Drop-in or make an appointment at the Facilities Office to complete the reservation. Office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. County Parks offices are located on the second floor at the Simpkins Family Swim Center at 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
Weekend or after-hours contact information:
If you require non-emergency response while at a county park, please call County Dispatch at 471-1170.
Community Service Officer program
The County Parks Department and Sheriffs Department have collaborated efforts in order to provide the Community Service Officer program. The Community Service Officers patrol parks daily in an effort to maintain safe parks for public enjoyment.
Animals in County Parks
Dogs are allowed on leash only at all County Parks, with the exception of Quail Hollow Ranch and Scott Creek Beach due to their sensitive habitats. We are also proud to offer two dog parks for your enjoyment at the Polo Grounds at 2255 Huntington Drive in Aptos and Pinto Lake County Park at 757 Green Valley Road in Watsonville. Please view the brochure for more information about dogs in the parks. In general, livestock is not allowed in County Parks.
Special Events
The County Parks Department is pleased to offer attractive venues for larger special events, such as festivals and community events, pending department approval. Availability and capacity vary per park. Entire park rentals may take place once per quarter. Large event options are available monthly for non-profit organizations. If you are interested in a larger special event at a county park, please call (831)454-7954 to discuss details and receive an application. New events, such as entire park rentals, may require one year's notice due to detailed conditions of use.
Commemorative Tree, Bench & Picnic Table Program:
The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services has created a Commemorative Tree, Bench & Picnic Table program as a way for people to honor and commemorate individuals, families or organizations. It is a special way to provide a funding source for trees, benches and picnic tables needed in County Parks. Download a brochure for more information. Please call (831)454-7954 for additional questions and information.
Garden Plots:
Garden plots are located at Jose Avenue Park and the future site of Felt Street Park, which are both in Live Oak, and the anticipated future site of the Farm Park, in Soquel. Garden plot contracts are annual and currently cost $30 resident / $35 non-resident for the year (fees are subject to change). Availability varies per park. If there are no garden plots currently available to rent, your name can be added to a waitlist and a lottery will be held in Spring as plots become available.