March 30, 2001
Santa Cruz County Parks expanded today to include 410 acres of land just north of Boulder Creek, including a majestic stand of 2,000 year old redwood trees. Save-the-Redwoods League, which purchased the property in 1994 for $2.4 million from the University of California to save it from sale to the timber industry, donated the land for use as a county park and an outdoor education facility.
During his tenure as a member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Assemblymember Fred Keeley (D-27th District), was instrumental in urging the Regents to spare the property and sell it for conservation and public ownership.
"Save-the-Redwoods League has taken a bold step to further protect this excellent piece of property in perpetuity. I am very excited to hear that the County will be the final recipient of the Miller property, and I congratulate the League for their leadership almost a decade ago to protect the property from timber operations" Keeley said.
County Supervisor Jeff Almquist (5th District) urged the Board of Supervisors to consider acquiring the land to fill a void in the County’s outdoor education program. Funding for such an acquisition was an obstacle to this plan.
“I had been working with Save-the-Redwoods League, the County office of Education, and the County Department of Parks to develop an acceptable plan for the future use of the property. I was very surprised and pleased to learn that the League intended to donate the land. We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation to the County,” stated Almquist.
“The future and hope of society rests with our children and Save-the-Redwoods League is delighted to provide an opportunity for young people to learn in these ancient trees. We are pleased to entrust this forest to the stewardship of Santa Cruz County for the enjoyment and inspiration of all its people forever,” said Kate Anderton, Executive Director of Save-the-Redwoods League.
The land, located in Boulder Creek on Kings Creek Road, was donated to the University of California in 1942 and was the subject of much controversy in the early 1990’s when the University of California attempted to sell it to the highest bidding timber company. Ultimately, the University cancelled the proposed sale and the Save-the-Redwoods League made an offer to purchase the property. The land contains a majestic stand of old growth redwoods as well as a healthy mixed second growth redwood and Douglas fir forest.
Since 1918, Save-the-Redwoods League, a non-profit organization, has worked
to protect California’s primeval forests from destruction by including
them in parks and reserves. To date, the League has assisted in preserving over
180,000 acres of forest lands in California.
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