Multi-Use Trail Development Kicks off at Miller Property County Park in Boulder Creek

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. –  Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit trail stewardship organization, and Santa Cruz County Parks today announced that they will begin development and restoration of 3 miles of multi-use trail at the Miller Property County Park (Miller Property), and introduce weekly volunteer events for the public to get involved in the construction effort. Trail development will kick off in July and run through mid-spring 2027. Once open, the trail network will welcome cyclists, hikers, equestrians, and on-leash dogs. Interested parties may learn more about the project and sign up for Miller Property trail work events at santacruztrails.org/miller. 

“The County of Santa Cruz is thrilled to partner with Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to expand, enhance, and activate the trail system at Miller County Park. This remarkable 410-acre park features diverse natural habitats, including a breathtaking old-growth redwood grove,” said Rebecca Hurley, Deputy Director of Santa Cruz County Parks. “Together, County Parks and SCMTS are excited to create new opportunities for the public to experience the beauty of the San Lorenzo Valley through a thoughtfully designed and sustainable trail network. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to increasing outdoor recreation, expanding public access, protecting sensitive natural resources, and ensuring responsible stewardship of this extraordinary landscape for generations to come.” 

This project builds upon the county’s recent efforts to better activate Miller Property County Park and enhance the park’s features for public use. In this phase of development, SCMTS and volunteers will construct a new Eastern Loop of trail on the property, realign sections of existing trail to improve user experience and environmental sustainability, and improve trail connection to the park’s West Side trail network. SCMTS will also construct a seasonal creek crossing and improve trail access to an old growth redwood grove on the property so that more park users can enjoy the vast scenic resources of the park. Following this initial trail construction, future areas of Miller Property County Park have the opportunity for trail expansion at a later date. 

“There’s a lack of bike- and dog-friendly trails throughout the northern San Lorenzo Valley, and we’re thrilled to help more park visitors get outside at Miller Property County Park,” said Matt De Young, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship. “When we give more people access to nature, we inspire them to care for its conservation in the long term. These new trails at the Miller Property will create a positive impact on generations of park visitors.”

The Miller Property is located 1.2 miles off Highway 9, just north of the town of Boulder Creek. The property is roughly 410 acres, and is bisected by Kings Creek and Kings Creek Road. The creek supports 30-50 acres of old growth coast redwoods and a wide variety of riparian fauna throughout the landscape. The park features great plant diversity, and includes oak woodland, successional scrub, upland and riparian redwood forest, mixed evergreen forest, and grassland habitats. This project will realign user-created social trails to better conserve the riparian resources throughout the landscape.

Free volunteer events begin July 20, and will happen weekly on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on select weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No prior trail work experience or equipment is required; professional staff will teach volunteers everything they need to know. SCMTS will also host special Saturday events at the Miller Property once a quarter. The nonprofit puts out frequent updates on the project via its Instagram, Facebook, and email newsletters, and interested parties can hear about upcoming volunteer events first by subscribing to the organization’s channels. Visit santacruztrails.org/miller to learn more and sign up today.