Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
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Transcript of Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
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8/3/2019 Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
1/4
OSASumme
1 OSA Buys
Doan and
Nielsen
Ranches
in South
County
2 New Trails
Dedicated
at Rancho
Caada del
Oro OpenSpace
Preserve
3 New
Summer
Day Camp &
Senior Walks
3 Schedule
Moonlit
Hikes &
Starry Nights
3 Interpretive
Program
Partners
with Schools
The new 3.1-mile
del Oro Open Spa
staging area direc
Bald Peaks trails. A
and welcome hik
INSIDE
OpenSpaceAuthor
ity
6830ViadelOro,
Ste
200
SanJose,
CA95119
workingtoprotectsensitivelandsfromdevelopment,
pre
servenaturalcommunities,
andmanageopenspaceinwaysthatalsopromoteagricultureandcompatiblerecreation
702acresadded
toOSAlands
InJuneOSAcomple
ted
thepurchaseof702
acres
ofranchlandsinthe
easternfoothillsofsouth
county.
TheadditionoftheDoan
andNielsenranches
bringsto13,0
61the
total
numberofacresofo
pen
spaceprotectedsinc
e
OSAacquireditsfirst
parcelin1999.
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8/3/2019 Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
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Rancho
Caada del Oro
Open Space
Preserve
Trails
DedicatedOn June 2 Open Space Authority directors and members of the Citize
Advisory Committee cut the ribbon officially opening three new trails o
Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve.
The recent opening of morethan five miles of new trails
has created access to
Rancho Caada del Oro OpenSpace Preserve for many newvisitors.
Dozens of bicyclists attended OSAsdedication event June 2 for theirfirst chance to explore the Mayfair
Ranch and Catamount trails. Priorto construction of the new trails, theonly access to the preserves exist-ing trails was through Calero County
Park where bicycles are prohibited.
Now cyclists as well as equestri-ans and hikers can begin their visit
at the staging area on Casa LomaRoad. Mayfair Ranch Trail runsfrom the parking lot, across the road
and up the hill into chaparral andoak woodlands where views of the
valley and distant ridges quickly
become visible.The preserves trail system of morethan eight miles covers a range ofelevation from approximately 800
to 1800 feet above sea level. Somestretches are steep and have littleshade, which can make them chal-
lenging in the summer months.
Drinking water is not available atthe staging area so visitors are
encouraged to bring their own as
well as protection from the sun.Though mountain lion sightings arerare, hiking or biking with a partner
is also recommended.
Visitors looking for a shorter or lessstrenuous trail experience can enjoy
the Llagas Creek Loop Trail. Thenearly half-mile paved nature trail
circles the meadow next to thestaging area. Its a great place
for exercise, whether
walking, jogging,roller blading or
cycling. Parents withstrollers, children on
tricycles, and visitorsusing wheelchairs will
feel comfortable here.
NEW MULTI-USE TRAILS:
Llagas Creek Loop Trail .46
Catamount Trail 1.7 miles
Mayfair Ranch Trail 3.1 mile
One of the things to
look out for on the
Mayfair Ranch
Trail is poison
oak. Many
of the 3-leaf
clusters are
bright red
at this time.
2photo by Cait Hutnik
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8/3/2019 Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
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Santa Clara County Open Space Aut6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA
tel 408.224.7476 fax 408.22
www.openspaceauthor
Interpretive
Program
Puts Kids
Into Nature
Students from Eva Swopes fourth grade class at Morgan Hill Charter
School learn the impacts of climate change on plants and animals during
a recent visit to Rancho Caada del Oro with OSA interpreter Teri Rogo-
way. The interpretive activities complemented their classroom studies. Teri
can tailor a variety of free programs to meet curriculum needs.
OSA AuditionsDay Camp andSenior Walks
Cat Around Night HikeSaturday, July 28, 9 p.m.
Rancho Caada del Oro
Mountain lions, bobcats and ho
cats all have some things in com
Learn what on a night hike with
staff. Meet at the staging area a
bring a flashlight.
Ohlone Indian Starry Night
Saturday, August 11, 7:45 p
Rancho Caada del Oro
Learn about the regions rich cu
history as you wait for the stars
come out. Then enjoy an evenin
stargazing with local astronome
Bring a flashlight.
Night Hike with the Pioneers
Saturday, August 25, 7:30 p
Rancho Caada del Oro
Learn about the pioneers and fa
who took care of this land as yo
to the top of the ridge with OSAMeet at the staging area and br
flashlight.
Special Spider Starry Night
Saturday, September 8, 7:45
Rancho Caada del Oro
Its almost tarantula mating seas
and the tarantulas are migrating
Learn about them as you wait f
stars to come out for an evening
stargazing. Bring a flashlight.
Tarantula Night Hike
Saturday, September 29, 6:3
Rancho Caada del Oro
Learn about the secret life of tar
las as you hike to the top of the
to view the city lights with OSA
Meet in the staging area. Bring
clothing and a flashlight.
Moonlit Hikes & Starry N
This summer OSA will offer twopublic programs that introducenew activities to its roster of
community services.
The first is Discovering NatureSummer Day Camp, a free event forkids that will also help staff develop
future programs for children withspecial needs.
Two week-long sessions will offer
activities, hikes, arts and crafts anddaily nature programs for childrenentering second through fourth
grades. The camps will run from9 a.m. till noon Monday throughFriday at Rancho Caada del Oro
and are limited to 15 students per
session. The first session is July 23
through July 27 and the second ses-sion is August 6 through August 10.
The second new program provides
an opportunity for senior citizens toget out for a walk and enjoy naturein the company of others. EverySaturday in August staff will be on
site at Rancho Caada del Oro from8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
An interpreter-led nature walk on a
half-mile paved trail will begin at 8a.m. Walking and visiting continueall morning. There are picnic tables,parking, and a restroom at the stag-
ing area. The trail and all facilitiesare wheelchair accessible.
For more information about these
activities visit the web at www.openspaceauthority.org or contactTeri Rogoway at 408.224.7476 or
photo by Cait Hutnik
photob
yLa
rkBurkhart
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8/3/2019 Summer 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter
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Acres:
Acquired:
Cost:
Location:
Preservation Goals:
702
January and June, 2007
$7,116,935
North of Highway 152
Habitat
Viewshed
Ranch Land
OSA Protects Valuable Ranch La
Santa Clara
County
Ponds provide aquatic habitat for
plants and wildlife. The ranches also
support grasslands, oak woodlands
and mixed stands of walnut,
sycamore, bay and willow trees.
W
ith the recent purchaseof the Doan and Nielsenranches the Open Space
Authority has protected their oak-studded rolling hills, a landscapecharacteristic of the region, for alltime.
The two properties totalling 702acres were acquired in two sepa-rate transactions inJanuary and June of
this year at a cost of$7.1 million. Theranches have been
active cattle opera-tions for a numberof years and grazingwill continue to be
a significant partof OSAs grasslandmanagement pro-gram.
The lands are hometo a wide range ofwildlife including
bobcats, grey foxes,golden eagles andmountain lions.
They also preservean important cor-ridor for animalsmoving between
Approximately 10 miles of old ranch fencing cro
land where cattle graze. OSAs grassland mana
will require repairing, replacing or removing fen
appropriate to meet open space goals.
the Santa Clara Valley floor anDiablo Range.
Several ponds are located on t
ranches and San Ysidro Creekthrough both properties. They Caada Road north of Highwa
152 and are located just a few west of Henry Coe State Parkssouthern tip.
OSA field staff have begun the
cess of surveying and mappingnatural and cultural resources
photosbyLarkBurkhart
found on the land. When fund
becomes available, the planninimprovements such as trails anparking can begin, and commu
input will be invited.
Preserving the land from develment was the first step; the secstep of creating public access i
expected to take a number of y