Santa Clara River Trail Final Master Plan - Development Services ...

Santa Clara River Trail Plan
Chapter 1: Existing Conditions
Introduction
Background
The Santa Clara River is an ecologically rich, valuable
and beautiful ecosystem. It is one of the last remaining
naturalized river systems in Southern California and
home to several threatened and endangered species.
The project site sits nestled between emerald green
farmland to the west, the Santa Clara River to the
north and the City of Oxnard to the south and east.
The near perfect weather of the area enables the
citizens of Oxnard to enjoy outdoor recreation yearround.
In 1991, the Ventura County Watershed Protection
District (VCWPD) and the California State Coastal
Conservancy (CCC) initiated a management plan for
the Santa Clara River and its resources. In addition to
the preservation of the river’s physical, biological, and
economic resources, the management plan promoted the enhancement of recreational, education and
public access opportunities.
In response to the Santa Clara River Enhancement & Management Plan, the city is pursuing the
opportunity for a multi-use trail system along the stream bank protection (SBP) and levee system on the
southern bank of the Santa Clara River. The Santa Clara River Trail (SCRT) Master Plan project study
area encompasses the southern bank of the Santa Clara River from Central Avenue in the northeast down
to N. Victoria Avenue in the southwest as well as connections to W. Gonzales Road, currently a bicycle
route to the Pacific Ocean.
The Master Plan Process
The project site is located south of the
Santa Clara River and north of the City of
Oxnard.
The purpose of the Santa Clara River Trail Master Plan is to evaluate a Class I multi-use path along the
southern bank of the Santa Clara River. The study includes a review of existing setting and conditions,
an analysis of gaps and geographic impediments, public outreach, a review of trail design standards and
safety standard, an implementation program, as well as a financial element. The SCRT Master Plan
includes a preferred alternative and the process followed to arrive at this recommendation.
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