Downtown Play and Paseos
The Downtown Play and Paseos Project aims to revitalize Downtown by transforming several Downtown service lanes and alleys into a network of pedestrian friendly public spaces with multiple amenities. The Project proposes enhanced wayfinding, plantings and landscape improvements, playful features, outdoor dining opportunities, and artistic elements to help connect Pacific Avenue foot traffic with emerging commercial areas along Cedar Street and other major side streets.
This project is funded through the City’s $21 million grant award from the state Infrastructure and Infill Grant (IIG) Program.
The Project focus areas include several existing alleys, Pacific Avenue and major streets downtown, and phase 1 improvements supporting the Farmers’ Market at their new location in Lot 16. Themes and specifications captured in this project are applicable throughout the broader downtown as new pedestrian connections and existing alleys are upgraded alongside development.
The high-level design themes approved by City Council for the Downtown Play and Paseo project areas include:
Plaza Lane
Children’s Lane - Art inspired, playable sculpture feature, synthetic turf area, and movable block seating
Commerce Lane
Fitness Lane – Outdoor parcourse or fitness equipment, sprint track markings, urban basketball court, and sports target wall (i.e. soccer and/or racket sports)
Pearl Alley
Outdoor dining – Tree planting, greening, outdoor seating areas w/ movable furniture
Frazier Lewis Lane
Event space – Utility access, dynamic lighting, decorative pavement treatment
Pacific Avenue (and Major Side Streets)
Wayfinding and play – Decorative and interactive play features and art inspired sculptures, pavement marking, wayfinding features to promote commerce and downtown activities
Pet Exercise Circuit
Designation of a pet friendly path of travel including a mini dog run at Scope Park, distributed self-cleaning pet relief areas, and wayfinding
Market Plaza
Phase 1 improvements to support the Farmers’ Market relocation to Lot 16, Church and Cedar Streets
Project Contact:
Rebecca Unitt
runitt@santacruzca.gov