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Monte Sereno pledges funds for open space
By Nathan R. Huff
Monte Sereno may have set a precedent for other West Valley cities May 16, when the city council approved a $12,000 pledge to help the Peninsula Open Space Trust purchase what will become the Bear Creek Redwood Park.
Representatives for the nonprofit land conservation organization had appeared before the council several times, but the city was hesitant to allocate public funds for lands not within or immediately adjacent to Monte Sereno. But after being presented with a list of many individual Monte Sereno donors, the council felt confident its donation would be a public benefit.
The city's donation, contingent on the land being opened for public use, is the first municipal donation POST has received. POST is trying to pay off the $10 million loan it used to purchase the 805 acres of forestland along Bear Creek Road. Thanks to private donations, grants and the Gabilan Foundation, POST has raised close to $9 million.
"It's thrilling that a city so close to such a wonderful property can see the benefit of protecting such a resource for their citizens," POST spokesperson Mary Shields said. "This was the first time we tried [going to a city], and it's great to be accepted." POST has indicated it also intends to visit other West Valley cities, according to Shields.
Monte Sereno mayor Suzanne Jackson said the council felt comfortable giving the donation once it was convinced Monte Sereno residents would directly benefit. Between the city and individual residents, Jackson said Monte Sereno has donated $100,000 to POST's purchase efforts.
Jackson added that the city was exploring ways it could use its tax contribution to the county's park system to develop open space and parks within Monte Sereno's sphere of influence.
Once the $10 million is raised, POST will transfer the land to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. MROSD, which purchased another 200-plus acres of the same property, will prepare the land for hiking, picnicking and other possible public uses.
The property has a recent turbulent history. A number of owners bought and sold the land. It was once slated for a golf course and residential development. MROSD and POST bought the land from Oregon-based Arlie Land and Cattle Company last year, but litigation over the sale continues. Arlie, MROSD and POST are accused of violating a purchase option held by the Los Gatos Country Club, a limited liability corporation composed of local developers and former Los Gatos High School football coach Pete Denevi.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
