Memorial Park, a haven nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, stands as a testament to the preservation of nature and history. Spanning 673 acres, this secluded open space, established in 1924 as San Mateo County’s first park, has captivated visitors for nearly a century with its old-growth redwood forest and over eight miles of inviting trails. The park not only offers a multitude of picnicking and camping spots but also enriches the visitor experience with activities like a swimming hole in Pescadero Creek, campfire programs, naturalist walks, and summer weekend movies.
Memorial Park’s connection to other regional parks, like Pescadero Creek and San McDonald, forms a sprawling complex of over 8,000 acres of open space, all within an hour’s drive from most cities in San Mateo County. The diverse flora and fauna, including huckleberries, poison oak, ferns, redwood sorrel, horsetail, and various wildlife like banana slugs, raccoons, and Steller’s jays, enhance the park’s natural beauty. Pescadero Creek, a vital habitat for migrating steelhead trout, bisects the park, providing a picturesque setting for wildlife and visitors alike.
The park’s historical roots trace back to efforts by Natalie Hanson and Roy W. Cloud, who saved the redwoods from logging, dedicating the park as a memorial to World War I soldiers. This dedication is echoed in the naming of fifty-two trees in Legion Flat for fallen soldiers, with bronze plaques commemorating their sacrifice. The park’s development, significantly propelled by the Works Progress Administration during the Depression, included handcrafted infrastructure sensitive to the forest environment.
