Access
Know Before You Go
Trail Access During Construction
Trail conditions will change as construction progresses. Check posted signage at trailheads and along routes for the most current information.
Reliable Access: Portions of the Park will remain open to the public throughout construction. The Detour Trail (0.6 mi) is your primary route from the parking lot to the South Bank Trail and Inspiration Point.
Area-Based Access:
Eastern Trails
Open with temporary detours around construction areas
Western Trails
Primarily closed due to active restoration work during Phase 1 of the project.
(June 2025 to June 2026)
River Crossings
Trail routes crossing the river are available – please follow posted signage
Getting Oriented: Since many trails in the former golf course are informal and don’t have official names, we use area-based descriptions to help you navigate. Reference the current trail map below (available for download here) and look for posted signs and detour markers to guide you around active work zones.
Staff are available to answer questions about park access and amenities during center hours 10 am – 4 pm Friday through Sunday or by calling Monday through Friday during office hours 9 am – 5 pm at 831-372-3196.
What to Expect
VISITING THE TRAIL DURING CONSTRUCTION
Construction will take place from 2025-2027, with the most intensive work happening during dry summer months (June through October) to protect water quality and wildlife. This project involves a major landscape transformation – we’re excavating over 650,000 cubic yards of soil to reconnect the river with its historic floodplain and restoring 40 acres of riparian habitat. The scale of this work means the site will look dramatically different during construction, but this temporary disruption is creating lasting benefits for wildlife, flood protection, and recreation.
While we work to maintain key trail connections, some areas of the park will be temporarily closed during construction. You’ll notice construction equipment, fencing around work areas, and trail reroutes with clear signage and updated maps to help you navigate. For everyone’s safety, please stay outside fenced construction areas and follow posted signs, as construction vehicles will be active on designated routes within the park.
While construction can be disruptive, you’re witnessing the largest habitat restoration project in MPRPD’s history – a transformation that will provide enhanced recreational opportunities, critical wildlife habitat, and natural flood protection for generations to come.
