About Us

Santa Cruz County
Parks & Recreation Commission

 

The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services on recreational programs, facilities, and parklands within the unincorporated area and outside the boundaries of the four special recreational districts of the County of Santa Cruz.

Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings

New schedule: commission meetings are now scheduled quarterly on a weekday to start between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
Click the buttons below for more information about Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings!

Public Participation
  • Please check the meeting agenda to learn details about how to participate in the commission meeting.
  • If you need special accommodations, please call 454-2772 or TDD: 711 (California Relay Service) at least 48 hours before the meeting.
  • To contact staff to the Parks and Recreation Commission, please e-mail noah.ross@santacruzcounty.us
Meetings & By-Laws
  • Commission meetings are scheduled at least quarterly on a weekday to start between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm
  • The Commission may call for special public meetings in order to conduct timely Commission business.
  • Commission By-Laws PDF

Parks & Recreation Commission Members

Parks & Recreation Commission Members:

  • Katherine Lee, District 1
  • Tricia Wiltshire-Potts, District 2
  • Jeremy Sanford, District 3
  • Martha Victoria Vega, District 4
  • Monica Martinez, District 5

Learn about Santa Cruz County Parks & Recreation Commission members by clicking their district below!

 

Katherine Lee, District 1

Katherine Lee grew up in a rural town in northern California and moved to Santa Cruz 8 years ago. She deeply respects what nature provides to the human heart, mind and spirit and how open spaces are crucial for all beings. She was with State Parks in trail restoration and assisted in propagation work with native plant nurseries, including local Central Coast Wilds Nursery. Recently she trained with the Savory Institute’s Ecological Outcome Verification Monitoring program. That time gave her much knowledge of ecosystem processes and how forests with diverse flora/fauna can improve areas even in its outermost surroundings. She strongly believes parks can do the same for neighborhoods and advocates in their favor. As the First District Parks Commissioner, Katherine is dedicated to listening to what people wish to see in their local parks and to give each voice a chance to express its ideas, visions, and solutions. She believes parks and open spaces are the great balance to urban life and people need access to its beneficial presence now more than ever.

Tricia Wiltshire-Potts, District 2

Tricia Wiltshire is the newly elected Commissioner for District 2. Her interest in county parks began in 2013 when she had a vision for creating a park space for children of all abilities.  This idea led to her developing a successful public-private initiative between county government, the parks department, and community organizations to design, fundraise, and build LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park.  This fully inclusive playground opened in the Live Oak neighborhood in 2020.  LEO is an acronym for her children: Lauren, Evelyn, and Oliver. Tricia is a project manager with experience in long-range visioning, adaptive problem solving, improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and innovation with application. She lives in the Aptos Hills with her family, two livestock guardian dogs, and a ridiculous amount of chickens

Jeremy Sanford, District 3

Biography coming soon. 

Martha Victoria Vega, District 4

Martha Victoria Vega is a lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County. She was raised in Watsonville and attended all the local schools to include Cabrillo College. Martha has worked in the law enforcement community and education for over 27 years. Martha has a passion for helping her community and making positive changes that would benefit our current and future generations in the area she lives, works, and plays in. Martha has fond memories of family and community gatherings since her childhood to adulthood in the county parks and would be honored to serve in the Parks and Recreation Committee for District 4. 

Monica Martinez, District 5

Biography coming soon. 

Contact Us

Phone:

(831) 454-7901

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays

Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited.