Llagas Bridge Ribbon Cutting

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Rancho Cañada del Oro

The new accessible Hidden Meadow Trail at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve is now open for all to enjoy. This project was made possible with $1.12 million in funding from State Parks’ Per Capita Program and is an example of how the Open Space Authority is investing in nature. On June 8, 2024, the Open Space Authority's ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new bridge and trail, bringing together Bay Area Older Adults, dedicated volunteers and excited visitors.

A group of people holding white mobility canes walk across a pedestrian bridge and onto a trail. In the background are tree-covered hills and a blue sky.

A group from Bay Area Older Adults arrived early for a unique sensory program to experience the new bridge and Hidden Meadow Trail.

A woman in a black baseball hat, blue shirt, and sunglasses stands at a podium with the OSA logo speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event

Open Space Authority volunteer Emily Chao gave remarks about the importance of accessible outdoor experiences for people with disabilities. As a person who is visually impaired, she emphasized that no one should have to pay a high price to enjoy nature.

A woman in a pink shirt and sunglasses stands at a podium with the OSA logo speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event

Dr. Nusrat Khaleeli, Chief Operating Officer for Bay Area Older Adults, spoke about the importance of empowering adults of all abilities to take charge of their health, embrace diversity and become change agents for environmental sustainability.

A woman in a light blue shirt and sunglasses stands at a podium with the OSA logo speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event

Andrea Mackenzie, General Manager of the Open Space Authority, welcomes the crowd and gives a sneak preview of what lies ahead for regional trail connections at Rancho Cañada del Oro.

A woman in a light blue shirt cuts a purple ceremonial ribbon in front of a rusty red bridge, while people around her smile and clap

Andrea Mackenzie cutting the ribbon, which says "Welcome" in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Hindi.

People walk across a rusty red pedestrian bridge over a low creek and trees

Visitors cross the new bridge which extends the existing half-mile ADA and wheelchair-friendly Llagas Creek Loop Trail with the new 800-foot Hidden Meadow Trail.

A pair of people wearing OSA branded clothing walk across a rusty red bridge towards the camera, talking to each other

General Manager Andrea Mackenzie (on the left) and Assistant General Manager Marc Landgraf (on the right) walk across the new bridge.

A dirt trail with a seating area consisting of wooden tree logs and a rustic wooden bench, surrounded by a green meadow fringed with large leafy trees under a blue sky with white streaky clouds

The Hidden Meadow Trail features rest stops with benches and educational signage.

A rust-colored pedestrian bridge spans a small creek surrounded by lush trees on either side and under a bright blue sky

The new bridge leads visitors to a grassland day-use area, which is nearly surrounded by riparian woodlands -the forested areas found adjacent to bodies of water. Amenities include an accessible trail, seating and educational signage.

The Open Space Authority is looking at the feasibility of expanding multi-use access and regional trail connections to the southern portion of Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, including an area formerly known as Blair Ranch. Learn more about this project and join the interest list on the project page.

Photos: David Mauk, Lanny Nguyen Photography

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