Going to Garden of Eden this Labor Day weekend? State Parks officers encourage enjoyable and secure vacation

Officials on the Santa Cruz district of California State Parks are encouraging folks to soundly have a good time Labor Day weekend whereas on the 15 state seashores and parks within the county, the place sights just like the Garden of Eden in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park usually see lots of of tourists. 

The Garden of Eden is fed by the San Lorenzo River. The well-known watering gap has exploded in recognition over the previous 5 to 10 years — which has additionally elevated the variety of public security incidents there, based on Gabe McKenna, State Parks public security superintendent for the Santa Cruz district. 

“Visitation to the garden has spiked in the last five years,” he stated. “It’s grown exponentially with social media and was also spurred on by the pandemic … and that has really impacted the Garden of Eden.” 

McKenna informed Lookout on Friday that the 30 rangers of the Santa Cruz district shall be all-hands-on-deck for the vacation weekend and shall be at widespread websites just like the Garden of Eden to make sure individuals are secure and preserving the pure panorama. 

In response to the rise in incidents, McKenna stated State Parks elevated patrols on the backyard this summer time. Rangers have written citations for possession of alcohol, possession of glass bottles and for leaving trash. Last month, McKenna stated there have been two main medical incidents, with one individual airlifted out of the Garden of Eden for medical remedy. Both of these injured survived. 

“We’re in the business of promoting recreational opportunities and access,” he stated. “But at the garden, it has reached the point where some of some of the visitation and some of the trends that we’re seeing are damaging to the landscape and unsafe for the public.”

McKenna stated State Parks rangers shall be repeatedly visiting the backyard and all parks areas this weekend: “We’re hoping for a safe end of the summer where people get to enjoy our parks and beaches.”