Parks and trails throughout the City are vital to creating a community with increased community engagement, reduced crime, and other life-enhancing qualities.
Morgan Hill has a variety of parks throughout the city, including multiple parks that have opened within the last five years. Parks and playgrounds, such as Railroad Park, Third Street Creek Trail Park, Nob Hill Trail Park, and the Magical Bridge Playground at Community Park were opened between 2017 and 2022. These playgrounds feature unique playground designs, with equipment that’s themed to fit in with Morgan Hill’s unique community and history. Railroad Park and the Magical Bridge Playground also feature high-tech self-cleaning restrooms.
We also have many trails and pathways throughout the community. Trails such as the Butterfield Boulevard Linear Park and the West Little Llagas Creek Trail wind through town going North to South. There are also a few trails, such as the Coyote Creek Trail, that are managed and maintained by the County and fall just outside the City limits offering a wider look at wildlife and native plants.
The West Little Llagas Trail will be expanding later this year! The trail currently goes from Spring Avenue to Watsonville Road, winding past the Centennial Recreation Center and past Paradise Elementary School. Come late spring/early summer 2023, the trail will extend further south to Lake Silveira. This extension is currently underway, but the opening is pending several safety enhancements being installed, such as a lighted crossing at Watsonville Road amongst other improvements. Once completed, this trail will be a welcome expansion of the existing trail that will lead to a beautiful lookout point where you can view native wildlife habitats. This project expansion is in partnership with Valley Water.
If you’re interested in getting involved or helping your local parks, consider joining the Adopt A Park Program. You can volunteer for a cleanup, specific beautification project, or dedicate a tree or bench for a loved one. There are also regular community-organized cleanups all over town throughout the year. More information about these programs is available online at https://www.morganhill.ca.gov/1084/Help-Your-Parks-Trails-Creeks.