Carr Lake Restoration and Park Development Project

For over 40 years, Salinas community members and leaders have dreamed of a park and open space in the heart of the city.

Thanks to unwavering support from residents and others who believe in this project, that dream is about to come true! The Carr Lake Restoration and Park Development Project (herein referred to as "Ensen Community Park") transforms a portion of the Carr Lake Basin into a neighborhood park and restored green space, with multiple environmental, social, and health-related benefits for the community.

The Carr Lake Project will create a 6-acre neighborhood park that offers a variety of community-prioritized amenities and recreational opportunities, as well as a 67-acre open space habitat area with publicly accessible trails.

By enhancing natural processes, the project will also improve water quality, and increase biodiversity, while providing a nature-based solution to strengthen climate resilience.

Carr Lake has the potential to serve as a “central green space” where parks and access to nature are currently very limited.

Construction will be phased, with the neighborhood park area construction beginning in late 2023. The neighborhood park design is being finalized, and BSLT needs to raise all funds before going out to bid in late spring 2023. Some of the most requested park elements will need to be cut if sufficient funds are not secured in time.

Carr Lake's location at the heart of the land-sea interface makes it a critical link in the healthy functioning of a sensitive watershed. The crucial nature of its restoration is shown here as we follow a raindrop's course traveling from the headwaters at Fremont Peak, through Carr Lake, to the Pacific Ocean.

The 73-acre Carr Lake Park Project has two parts. There will be a 6-acre neighborhood park space featuring many traditional features like play areas, a skate spot, places to picnic, and more. There will also be a 67-acre restoration area featuring seasonal wetlands, trails, and habitats for animals.

We have received generous donations and grants to help cover a portion of the neighborhood park construction costs, but there is a $150,000 funding gap.  Please donate today! 

Construction of Neighborhood Park Amenities $9,750,000 Contingencies $1,065,000 Project Management Time $436,000 Park Design $770,000 BSLT Staff Time $390,000 Community Engagement $685,000 Neighborhood Park Maintenance $500,000 Conditions Compliance $100,000 Archaeology + Tribal Monitoring $135,000 City Permits, Approvals, Testing and Inspection $300,000 Utilities Improvements $169,000 Dog Park $450,000 Mural $150,000 Interpretive Signage $100,000 Neighborhood Park Project Total $15,000,000

Please contact Kate Mitchell Mehle, BSLT's Director of Development, if you would like to discuss naming opportunities. Email: Kmitchell@bigsurlandtrust.org or Call: 831-886-7813

We are deeply grateful for our project supporters who have already contributed:

Phase 1: Acquisition, Visioning, and Site Assessment $5.3 million goal met! Barnet Segal Charitable Trust CNRA Prop. 84 – River Parkways* California State Coastal Conservancy* California Wellness Foundation David & Lucile Packard Foundation Laural Foundation Monterey Peninsula Foundation Resources Legacy Fund S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Other foundations and individuals

Phase 2: Community Engagement, Site Design, Environmental Review, and Permitting $2 million goal met!  Campaign for the Lands You Love foundations and individuals  California State Coastal Conservancy* David & Lucile Packard Foundation Dewitt Fund of the Community Foundation for the Monterey County Giles W. and Elise G. Mead Foundation Harden Foundation Jay & Rose Phillips Foundation Laural Foundation Newman's Own Foundation Monterey Bay Aquarium Employee Conservation Fund Resources Legacy Fund Rights and Opportunities Foundation

Phase 3: Final Design and Neighborhood Park Construction As of March 2024 $14.5 million was raised towards the $15 million goal. California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program (funded through Proposition 68)* City of Salinas* Monterey Peninsula Foundation Laural Foundation Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley/Manitou Fund David & Lucile Packard Foundation Sunlight Giving Harden Foundation Kinnoull Foundation Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation Newman's Own Foundation Other foundations and individuals *Public agency grant

BSLT has already begun planning the next phase to restore the 67-acre wetland area.

Phase 4: Wetlands Restoration and Open Space Construction As of June 2024 $12.1 million was raised towards this phase of the project. Department of Water Resources, Urban Streams Restoration Program* California Natural Resources Agency, Urban Greening Program* California State Coastal Conservancy* *Public agency grant

With  your support  and  your donation  Carr Lake can become a reality! This is a much-needed change and a unique opportunity to reclaim and restore natural areas.

We hope you will join us in this unique restoration effort — to create a park in the middle of Salinas that represents the heart and soul of the city and provides families with the opportunity to gather and spend time outdoors together.