Recreation

GLENN WILCOX, area biologist, Soil Conservation Service, helped prepare this section.

The population of the survey area is increasing rapidly, and the need for more recreation facilities is also increasing. The beaches of Santa Cruz County are a major at traction. There are three State parks that provide over night camping facilities.

 The coastal climate and redwood forest setting are other attractions of Santa Cruz County. Several state and county parks provide recreational facilities in the redwood forests. Soils such as Aptos, Nisene, Ben Lomond, and Catelli are associated with redwood forests.

The soils of the survey area are rated in tables 16 and 17 according to limitations that affect their suitability for recreation uses. The ratings are based on such restrictive soil features as flooding, wetness, slope, and texture of the surface layer. Not considered in these ratings, but important in evaluating a site, are location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area and its scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water, potential water impoundment sites available, and either access to public sewerlines or capacity of the soil to absorb septic tank effluent. Soils subject to flooding are limited, in varying degree, for recreation use by the duration and intensity of flooding and the season when flooding occurs. Onsite assessment of height, duration, intensity, and frequency of flooding is essential in planning recreation facilities.

The degree of the limitation of the soils is expressed as slight, moderate, or severe. Slight means that the soil properties are generally favorable and that the limitations are minor and easily overcome. Moderate means that the limitations can be overcome or alleviated by planning, design, or special maintenance. Severe means that soil properties are unfavorable and that limitations can be off set only by costly soil reclamation, special design, intensive maintenance, limited use, or by a combination of these measures.

The information in tables 16 and 17 can be supplemented by in formation in other parts of this survey. Especially helpful are interpretations for septic tank absorption fields, given in tables 8 and 9, and interpretations for dwellings without basements and for local roads and streets, given in tables 6 and 7.

Camp areas require such site preparation as shaping and leveling for tent and parking areas, stabilizing roads and intensively used areas, and installing sanitary facilities and utility lines. Camp areas are subject to heavy foot traffic and some vehicular traffic. The best soils for this use have mild slopes and are not wet or subject to flooding during the period of use. The surface has few or no stones or boulders, absorbs rainfall readily but remains firm, and is not dusty when dry. Strong slopes and stones or boulders can greatly increase the cost of constructing camping sites.

Picnic areas are subject to heavy foot traffic. Most vehicular traffic is confined to access roads and parking areas. The best soils for use as picnic areas are firm when we, are not dusty when dry, are not subject to flooding during the period of use, and do not have slopes or stones or boulders that will increase the cost of shaping sites or of building access roads and parking areas.

Playgrounds require soils that can withstand intensive foot traffic. The best soils are almost level and are not wet or subject to flooding during the season of use. The surface is free of stones or boulders, is firm after rains, and is not dusty when dry. If shaping is required to obtain a uniform grade, the depth of the soil over bedrock or hardpan should be enough to allow necessary grading.

Paths and trails for walking, horseback riding, bicycling, and other uses should require little or no cutting and filling. The best soils for this use are those that are not wet, are firm after rains, are not dusty when dry, and are not subject to flooding more than once during the annual period of use. They have moderate slopes and have few or no stones or boulders on the surface.