Application Deadline: TBD

The Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection plan is a 15-year effort to accomplish multiple objectives, including protecting people and property from flooding and enhancing the quality of life, including natural conditions of streams, for public enjoyment. 

The special tax collects approximately $920,000 annually to provide public access to an additional 70 miles of trails or an equivalent amount of open space by 2016.

In efforts to reach this goal, the District established the biennial Trails and Open Space Grant Program in 2003.

Eligible Applicants
The following entities are eligible to apply for Trails Program funds:

• Cities
• County
• Special districts
• Park Districts or other jurisdictions governed by California Resources Code
• Local non-profits formed for trail, park and open space purposes

Eligible projects
The following types of projects are eligible:

• Development of new trails along creeks
• Development of new parks along creeks
• Procurement of open space along creeks

Ineligible projects
The following Projects are ineligible for funding:

• Projects located outside Santa Clara County
• Master Planning for trails development
• Operation and maintenance of trails
• Land acquisition, unless parcel(s) or title acquired will be specifically deemed for use as open space, trail or parks
• Mitigation projects
• Environmental enhancement projects not including the development of trails, parks or open space.

Project examples
Project examples may include, but are not limited to, the following (these examples are not listed in priority order):

• Development of trails, trailhead or trailside facilities along creeks that:
  • Meet an identifiable recreational need
  • Provide recreational opportunities not currently available
  • Provide a linkage between existing trails and/or parks and open space
• Establishment of open space along creeks that provide new areas linkage between existing noncontiguous open spaces, parks and/or trails
• Establishment of parks along creeks that:
  • Provide new undeveloped parks
  • Provide linkage between park and existing park, trail, and/or open space
• Improvements to trails or trailheads that will provide expanded access

General Program Goals
Program goals which must be met by the Applicant for their Project to be included in the running for grant funds include:

1. Project must be consistent with the intent of the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program goal for trails and open space.

2. Project must represent progress toward fulfillment of the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program goal of providing public access to 70 miles of trails or open space along creeks and in the watersheds.

3. Project must create new public access where it did not previously exist.

Application Deadline: TBD

Download the complete Trails, Parks and Open Space Grant Program guidelines and application [PDF 167KB]

For more information
Direct all inquiries, correspondence, and grant applications to:

Brian Mendenhall, Project Manager
Santa Clara Valley Water District
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95118
(408) 265-2607, ext. 3093
bmendenhall@valleywater.org