Miller Property County Park
Secluded Boulder Creek Property Opens to the Public
By Mary Andersen and Julie Horner
Here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we’re blessed with a multitude of beautiful open spaces to explore – state and local parks, conservation areas, thousands of trails and plenty of riverside beaches. Now, a Boulder Creek property long earmarked for broader public access has officially joined the list.
County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services unveiled Miller Property County Park on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Presenters at the opening celebration included Santa Cruz County 5th District Supervisor Monica Martinez, former Supervisor Bruce McPherson, and Parks Director Jeff Gaffney. Supervisor Martinez said, “I feel like this is a gem, and a gift to the Boulder Creek community to have this space for folks to enjoy.”
Celebrating the Miller Property County Park: District 5 Supervisor Monica Martinez, Former District 5 Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney, Field Representative from Assemblymember Pellerin’s Office Kristina Glavis, and Policy Analyst from Senator John Laird’s Office Khalida Sarwari. (Photo by Julie Horner)
The Miller Property is an undeveloped open space three miles north of Boulder Creek featuring a modest network of nature trails along Kings Creek. Improvements revealed at the opening of the park to the public include a gated drive-through entry to an expansive groomed dirt parking lot and updated signage to mark the entrance. Other improvements include a portable restroom facility, picnic table, temporary footbridge spanning a section of the creek, and new signage on Highway 9. The cast iron cooking grills that used to dot the forest floor of the former retreat property have been removed. A derelict, graffiti-splashed utility shack was removed by a neighbor earlier this year. The pet cemetery has been left intact; no other improvements have been made at this time.
Formerly known as Miller Recreational Area, Miller Retreat, and U.C. Miller Redwood Recreation Area, a portion of the 410-acre open space was deeded to the University of California by San Francisco professor and environmental advocate Adolph C. Miller and his wife Mary Sprague Miller in 1942. The rest of the property was purchased by UCSC in 1952, a portion of which was used as a campground from 1967 through 1974. The majority of the property is dense with second-growth redwood, Douglas fir, and hardwoods, with meadows and grasslands found on the western slope of the park across the street from the main entrance. The property notably preserves approximately 38 acres of old-growth redwoods.
Peaceful creek and forest settings abound at Miller Property County Park in Boulder Creek. (Photo by Julie Horner)
Eventually the cost of maintaining the property became a deficit for the university. A UC Campus News article dated July 1994 reads: “In 1991 and 1992, the UCSC campus evaluated all potential uses of the site for academic or administrative purposes and determined that there were no feasible campus uses. Maintenance costs and liability concerns were an insupportable burden on the campus, and the property was subsequently declared surplus.” In February 1993 the property was put up for sale. Acknowledging “strong local interest in preserving the land,” bidding was opened to “government and nonprofit entities, and representatives of such entities, to purchase the property for public use.” Ultimately, however, pre-bid discussions ended without offers, including those with Santa Cruz County. Subsequent competitive commercial bidding began at $2 million. Concerned about preserving the property, bids from Eel River Saw Mills, Inc., and Redwood Empire Logging Company were rejected in favor of a negotiated offer from Save the Redwoods League. The UC Campus News article continues, “The University of California Board of Regents today (Friday, July 15) approved the sale for $2.4 million of a 410- acre redwood parcel to Save the Redwoods League. The sale of the parcel, which contains some old-growth redwoods, ensures that the property will be available for public use.”
In March 2001, the Save the Redwoods League donated the Miller Property to Santa Cruz County. Then-Speaker Pro Tem of the California State Assembly Fred Keeley praised the gift in a news release. “Save-the-Redwoods League has taken a bold step to further protect this excellent piece of property in perpetuity. I am very excited to hear that the County will be the final recipient of the Miller property, and I congratulate the League for their leadership almost a decade ago to protect the property from timber operations.” The property has since been quietly enjoyed by neighborhood dog walkers and local day hikers.
Funds were allocated toward the Miller Property by the passage of Measure K in March of 2024, which increased sales tax by one-half cent in unincorporated areas of the county, providing approximately $10,000,000 annually to the county’s General Fund to use for numerous projects county wide including road repair and infrastructure improvements and climate resiliency and parks. Additional funding by the county of $100,000 brings Miller Property County Park fully into the public sphere this summer.
The park is open to the public from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. (Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz County Parks)
Access and Inclusion
We often hear, “Shh, don’t tell anyone about this special location.” It’s understandable to want to preserve something for ourselves. But the Miller Property is a public park. Parks representative Kelly Mercer-Lebov said, “We recognize the sensitivity around sharing “secret” places and are committed to balancing access with stewardship. The focus of this project is inclusivity, ensuring that all community members can experience this remarkable landscape, while honoring the conservation values that make Miller Property unique.”
Conceptually, accessibility means removing physical, social, and economic barriers – through features like ADA-compliant parking, clear signage, and safe pathways – so that individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and circumstances can enjoy the park. Inclusivity goes further, embracing the principle that every community member, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or ability, feels valued and represented in public spaces. These upgrades at the Miller Property, including parking and a temporary footbridge, create a safer, more inviting environment, honoring the Miller family’s original intent for public use as well as those of later owners UC Santa Cruz and Save the Redwoods League. These commitments are vital for any community as inclusive open spaces foster social cohesion and mental and physical well-being.
By raising awareness of the San Lorenzo Valley’s unique habitats and ecosystems and attracting visitors, these efforts also stimulate local economies through visitor forays into our downtown cores.
As long as Miller Property park development – including new trails coming in 2026 – is guided by thoughtful design and community engagement, the county not only preserves the natural beauty of the property, but also ensures this gem remains a shared resource for all, now and for future generations.
Hours: Sunrise – Sunset. Pets on leash only. No fires, alcohol, or motorized vehicles. 16798 Kings Creek Rd, Boulder Creek
Mary Andersen is a journalist and Publisher of the San Lorenzo Valley Post, an independent publication dedicated to the people, politics, environment, and cultures of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Contact mary@slvpost.com
Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
