Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve |
|
|---|---|
 Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Location in Northern California
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Location in California
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Santa Clara County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Los Gatos, California |
| Area | 1,432 acres (5.80 km2) |
| Established | 2019 |
| Governing body | Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District |
The Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a special natural area in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's a public space where you can explore and enjoy nature. The preserve is found near Los Gatos, California, close to Lexington Reservoir. It covers land on both sides of Bear Creek Road.
This beautiful preserve is looked after by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Part of the preserve, about 500 acres, opened to visitors on June 8, 2019. This first part has six miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. It also has a parking lot and restrooms. The rest of the preserve will open in stages over the next few years.
What Animals and Plants Live Here?
The preserve is famous for its very tall coast redwood trees. Some of these trees are over 200 feet tall. They are also very old, estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old! Besides redwoods, you can find Douglas fir trees and oak woodlands here.
Many different animals call this preserve home. You might see mountain lions, mule deer, and coyotes. There are also smaller animals like bobcats and various bats. Birds are common, including song sparrows, mallard ducks, Steller's jays, and red-shouldered hawks. You might even spot western pond turtles and different kinds of salamanders.
Most of the preserve's water flows into Los Gatos Creek. This creek then empties into Lexington Reservoir.
A Look Back in Time: History of the Preserve
Long ago, the Ohlone people lived in this area for thousands of years. They used to grind acorns and grass seeds to make food. You can still see some of their rock mortars, which are deep holes worn into boulders from grinding. These show how the Ohlone people lived here.
Starting in the 1850s, people began logging the trees in the area. Even so, some of the very old redwood trees managed to survive.
In 1906, a wealthy man named Harry Tevis built a huge mansion with 50 rooms here. He also created gardens and stables. After he passed away, a religious group called the Jesuits bought the land. From 1934 to 1969, it was home to Alma College, a Jesuit school.
In 1969, Alma College moved to Berkeley, California. The old college buildings were badly damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. After the earthquake, the land was sold a few times.
In 1999, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District made a big agreement to buy the land. This was a very important step to protect the beautiful hillsides and forests.
Future Plans for the Preserve
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is using special funds to get the preserve ready for everyone to enjoy. They have a plan to restore habitats, control erosion, and protect historical sites.
The first part of the preserve opened in 2019. This included building new trails, a parking lot, and restrooms.
The second part of the preserve, which includes the old college buildings, will open between 2020 and 2026. Most of the old college buildings will be taken down, but the chapel and library will stay. The horse stables, built in 1915, will be fixed up.
The third and final part of the preserve will open after 2026. When all phases are complete, there will be another 15 miles of trails. There will even be a trail connecting the preserve to Lexington Reservoir County Park across Highway 17.
