Golden hills covered with green trees extending into the hazy distance under a blue sky

Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve

Planning and Design Underway for Llagas Creek Bridge Crossing to Provide EXpanded Public Access

The Authority has kicked off the planning and design process for the first phase of expanded public access at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Once complete, this phase will provide visitor access from the existing staging area to the former Blair Ranch portion of the preserve.
 
The project will connect the Llagas Creek Loop Trail to a newly-installed bridge over Llagas Creek. Once across the bridge, visitors will find themselves in an enclosed grassland day-use area, nearly surrounded by riparian woodlands, or forested areas next to a body of water. Amenities would include an accessible trail, seating, and interpretation about the surrounding natural resources.

As a separate project, the Authority will look at the feasibility of providing access to the southern portion of the preserve. This will include an analysis of over five miles of existing ranch roads, and the potential for providing seasonal future access to rolling grasslands, blue oak woodlands, and mixed oak savannah in the preserve’s backcountry. In the future, visitor use will be open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Join our mailing list below to stay connected and get involved! 
 
This project is an example of how the Open Space Authority is Investing in Nature.

A Backcountry Experience

public access Vision:

  • Install bridge over Llagas Creek
  • Create interpretive trail/day-use area in creek-side grassland
  • Feasibility of future access to backcountry areas of the preserve

SEEKING PUBLIC FEEDBACK: 

The Authority is seeking feedback on the CEQA Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Llagas Creek Bridge and Day Use Area Project.  

The 30-day review period for the Draft IS/MND will end February 24, 2023.   

Please submit any comments (include “Llagas Creek Bridge IS Comment” in the subject line) to: 
Lucas Shellhammer, Planning Manager via email at lshellhammer@openspaceauthority.org

or via USPS mail to: 
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority 
Attn: Lucas Shellhammer 
33 Las Colinas Lane  
San José, CA 95119 

Please see the Draft IS/MND linked in the Project Documents section to the right.   

Project Documents

Board Meeting Materials - July 23, 2020

CAC Meeting Materials - July 27, 2020

Use & Management Committee Meeting Materials - February 25, 2021

Board Meeting Materials - August 11, 2022

CEQA DOCUMENTS 

Llagas Creek Bridge and Day Use Area Project Notice of Intent (NOI)  
Llagas Creek Bridge and Day Use Area Project Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND)  
In addition to the links above, hard copies of the project CEQA documents will be available at the Authority offices starting January 24, 2023 at: 
33 Los Colinas Lane 
San Jose, CA 95119 

These can be viewed during office open hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

GET INVOLVED

Sign up for our event calendar to learn about docent-led activities and open access days or volunteer for stewardship activities.

Woman on trail at top of ridge taking photo of golden hills and blue sky
Fallen tree over creek with rocks and green grass
Foothill yellow-legged frog sitting between rocks and pebbles

Project Updates

The Authority wants your feedback! If you have feedback on this project, please email Jennifer Hooper, Assistant Open Space Planner.

Join our mailing list if you would like to receive project updates with opportunities for providing feedback on the public access plans at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve.


 

Llagas Creek Bridge & Blair Ranch Backcountry Access Timeline

Fall/Winter 2019-2020

  • Site Analysis
  • Project Planning and Design
  • Project Design Alternatives

Summer 2020

  • Board of Directors Meeting - July 23, 2020
  • Citizens' Adivsory Committee Meeting - July 27, 2020

Fall/Winter 2020-2021

  • Preferred Alternative/Design Development
  • Use & Management Committee Meeting – February 25, 2021

Fall/Winter 2021-2022

  • Preliminary Permit Applications and Environmental Review

SUMMER/FALL 2022

  • Final Permit Applications
  • Board of Directors Meeting – August 11, 2022

Winter 2022-2023

  • CEQA Public Review Period and Final Documentation 
  • Secure Permits 
  • Construction Bid Documents and Contract Award

summer/FALL 2023

  • Bridge and Day-use Area Construction

LLAGAS CREEK BRIDGE AND DAY-USE AREA OPENING WINTER 2023-2024

Pond surrounded by trees and green hills
View of golden hills and oak trees with trail, with blue hills stretching into distance and reservoir in the distance
Green hillsides covered in wildflowers and a line of hikers walking along ridge