A beautiful trail will one day be used by Morgan Hill residents

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Do you want to help bring a beautiful creek-side walking/biking trail to the southwest region of the city? Here’s your chance to get involved.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s flood control project gives the city of Morgan Hill an opportunity to create a multi-use trail from Watsonville Road to Lake Silveira. The city is hosting a Zoom meeting to discuss the planning effort and details for the West Little Llagas Creek Trail Project..

“This project has been identified through the city’s Bikeways, Trails, Parks and Recreation Master Plan and will provide for an improved paved multi-use trail linking the downtown to the south end of the city at Silveira Lake,” said Chris Ghione, the city’s public services director.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Access via the web is https://bit.ly/WestLittleLlagasCreekUpdateMtg. For access via phone, call (669) 900-9128 and enter ID number: 876 6227 4916

When it is finally finished, we know that this beautiful trail will be well used by Morgan Hill residents.

South Valley residents who want to put a spotlight on the people and organizations who make a dif-ference in improving the lives of others have a wonderful opportunity to do so. Nominations are open through Sept. 1 for the 2020 Gavilan College Community Spirit Awards.

Anyone who lives or works in the Gavilan Joint Community College District may nominate a business, individual, or organization for all they do that contributes to the quality of life in our communities. In these times, it is especially important to look around and recognize those who are going above and beyond in helping others.

Each year, three sets of awards are presented, for the communities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Be-nito County.

In each community an individual, a business, and a non-profit organization are selected for their histo-ry of service, their impact on the community, and the inspiration they provide to others.

Forms are available at www.gavilan.edu/news/announcement/spirit-awards.php

Details: (408) 843-8691 or email [email protected].

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Peninsula Open Space Trust just completed the pur-chase of a 235-acre parcel for $16 million in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area.

The property was previously owned by longtime South Bay real estate developer, The Sobrato Organi-zation, and was slated for industrial development. In November 2019, a public-private partnership among POST, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and the city of San Jose was formed.

North Coyote Valley is a critical wildlife linkage between the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges. Permanently protecting it helps mitigate potential flooding impact from extreme weather events and builds climate change resiliency.

“The conservation and restoration of Coyote Valley is a long-term effort with long-term positive im-pacts for all who live here,” said Walter T. Moore, president of POST.

Byron Kelley

We encourage residents who seek to improve themselves as they improve their community to con-sider joining next year’s Leadership Morgan Hill class.

The program is dedicated to providing training and development to inspire future leadership to com-munity service. The group will hold a virtual info night session at 6 p.m. Sept. 23.

Each year Leadership Morgan Hill presents a nine-month program to about 20 participants from our diverse community, said Byron Kelley, board president of LMH.

“This nine-month leadership program is designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the local political, economic and government structures of our community,” he said. “The program en-joys the support and participation of many top-level community leaders, whose skills and decisions are shaping the city now and in the future.”

If you are interested in finding out more about joining the 2021 class, visit www.leadershipmorganhill.org, or follow the Leadership Morgan Hill Facebook page, Twitter or LinkedIn accounts.

Email [email protected] to join this session via Zoom.

One of the most popular South Valley venues for family fun will, alas, keep its gates locked for public safety during the coronavirus crisis.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic and related health and safety re-strictions, Gilroy Gardens announced it will remain closed for the remainder of 2020.

“We are incredibly sad and disappointed that we are unable to welcome our guests back to the park this season,” said Barb Granter, vice president and general manager of Gilroy Gardens.

Robert Airoldi is the editor of Morgan Hill Life. Reach him at [email protected]