The Watsonville Slough Farm is a 490-acre property owned by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. The property encompasses the largest freshwater wetland in the county, including four sloughs interlaced throughout farmland. SSA was hired to design a welcoming space for Watsonville and surrounding communities that will provide public access to organic farm production and restored wetland habitat. The space will be a Community Harvest that will provide “U-pick” fruit orchards and vegetable plots at no cost to visitors, as well as picnic areas, accessible trails, and access to the slough.
The project includes two plazas to support environmental education and outdoor immersion school programs as well as event space for affiliated environmental organizations. Additional amenities include, a restroom, parking area with City Bus service, EV chargers, and environmentally friendly outdoor lighting. Adjacent to the plazas will be a trailhead that leads to an 1,800 ft. ADA trail with an amphitheater overlooking a wetland area and two large shade structures for group picnics, and another trailhead that leads to the slough. SSA worked with environmental consultants to design boardwalks and observation platforms over the slough, allowing for direct public engagement with the surrounding habitat and public educational opportunities along the way.