Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District facts for kids
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) is a special group that helps protect nature in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was started in 1972 when people voted to create it. Their main goal is to buy and protect large areas of open land, like a "green belt," to keep them natural forever. They also want to help nature heal and let people enjoy and learn about these wild spaces in a way that keeps them safe.
The District's mission is simple: To buy and protect open spaces forever; to help nature grow strong again; and to let people enjoy and learn about these places carefully.
This special district covers parts of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. They work to connect their lands with other public parks. This creates one big, continuous natural area. The District also works with other groups, like the Bay Area Open Space Council. They help with big trail systems, like the San Francisco Bay Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which cross through their lands.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has protected almost 63,500 acres of mountains, hills, and baylands. This has created 26 amazing open space preserves. Most of these preserves are open to the public for free, every day of the year, from sunrise until about 30 minutes after sunset.
The District gets its money mainly from property taxes. In 2012-2013, they received about $30.3 million from taxes. They also sometimes get money from the state or federal government, and from people who donate.
Fun Things to Do Outdoors
Most of the preserves are open for fun outdoor activities. You can go hiking, cycling, or horseback riding. If you like adventure, Paragliding and hang gliding are allowed at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. You just need a special permit for these activities.
Camping is usually not allowed. However, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has a special camp for backpackers. You need a permit to stay there overnight. Out of the 26 preserves, 24 are fully open to everyone. Miramontes Ridge and Tunitas Creek preserves are not open to the public. Bear Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek preserves need a permit to visit. Also, some parts of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve are closed because they can be dangerous.
In total, the District has 226 miles of hiking trails. About 150 miles of these trails are open for bikes. Horses can use about 182 miles of trails. If you have a dog, they can join you on about 63 miles of trails, but they must be on a leash. The preserves are kept very natural. Most just have a parking area, signs for trails, and sometimes a simple restroom. Remember, all preserves are open from dawn until 30 minutes after sunset.
Park rangers work to keep the preserves safe and help visitors. They wear tan and green uniforms and a gold star badge. Rangers are peace officers, but they do not carry firearms. If you need help, the Mountain View Police Department helps with dispatch services for the rangers.
Explore These Open Space Preserves
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages these beautiful preserves:
- Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
- Coal Creek Open Space Preserve
- El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
- El Sereno Open Space Preserve
- Foothills Open Space Preserve
- Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
- La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, which opened to the public in November 2017
- Long Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Los Trancos Open Space Preserve
- Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
- Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve
- Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
- Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
- Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
- Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
- St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve
- Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve
- Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
- Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Steven's Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area Open Space Preserve
- Teague Hill Open Space Preserve
- Thornewood Open Space Preserve
- Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve
- Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
