Park improvements planned for Jack’s Peak

Big changes could be coming to Jack’s Peak. Last week, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved a management partnership between the county and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. The two groups are now in discussions over how to best improve the park.

Tourists Ralph and Cindy Ladd, who are visiting from Visalia, spent their Thursday hitting the trails at Jack’s Peak Park.

“It’s a nice contrast between being down in the hustle of Cannery Row and then you come up here where it’s nice and quiet,” said Ralph Ladd.

For years, the park has been a destination for folks looking for a quiet getaway underneath the pines. Now, there is another draw-a possible trail from the park to Big Sur’s Garrapata State Beach.

Building the trail could take awhile, years probably, but it is being planned. The idea is just one of the many improvements in a vision that is shared by Monterey County and the Regional Park District.

“In theory, we believe that in a few years you will be able to get from (Highway) 68 to Garapatta and from Carmel Valley to the Pacific Ocean,” said park district general manager Rafael Payan.

Payan also said, he has plans to have scientific research devoted to the area and a greater emphasis on conservation , especially because of the Monterey pines.

“Jack’s Peak is the last remaining intact Monterey pine forest on the planet and so this provides us the opportunity to not only provide public recreation, but also do some really great science too,” said Payan.

According to Payan, before any improvements can happen there will have to be a negotiation process between the park district and the county to figure out funding, how exactly the title transfer will work and , ultimately , who is responsible for doing what on the property.

There is no timeline for when any improvements will be made, according to Payan.