Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park
⚠️ Playground Closure:
Beginning the week of October 27, 2025, the playground area at Jade Street Park will be closed to the public for the duration of construction. For safety, fencing will be expanded to include both the Community Center and playground construction zones, and public access will not be permitted until the project is complete in summer 2026.
The rest of Jade Street Park—including the athletic fields and courts—will remain open during construction, though some pathways may be temporarily rerouted as work progresses.
A Universally Accessible Playground for All
The City of Capitola is creating Treasure Cove, a universally accessible (UA) playground at Jade Street Park, located at 4400 Jade Street as part of the Capitola Community Center complex. The new playground will replace the existing equipment installed in 1999 and 2007, which no longer meets accessibility standards and lacks inclusive features.
Treasure Cove is designed to be a welcoming, inclusive space where children of all abilities can play, imagine, and connect.
What Is a Universally Accessible Playground?
A Universally Accessible (UA) Playground is designed to allow users of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to explore the power of play while building mental, physical, and social skills together. These playgrounds go beyond minimum ADA compliance by providing spaces that support a wide range of physical and cognitive needs.
Project Timeline & Milestones
- March–April 2023: Community outreach meetings and public survey
- July 27, 2023: Council approval of final conceptual plan and formal partnership with County Park Friends
- September 28, 2023: “Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park” selected as the official playground name
- June 25, 2025: Council approves construction plans and authorizes project to go out to bid
- October 2025: Construction begins following Council award of the construction contract
- Summer 2026: Targeted project completion
Funding & Community Partnership
The City partnered with County Park Friends, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting park projects throughout Santa Cruz County. Through their leadership and the generosity of community donors, over $1 million was raised for Treasure Cove.
In July 2025, the City secured $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, fully funding construction of Treasure Cove and associated park improvements.
This combined public-private partnership allows the City to deliver a far more ambitious and inclusive playground than would have been possible with public funds alone.
The CDBG grant also supports:
- Renovation of the adjacent public restrooms
- New patios and accessible pathways connecting the playground and Community Center
With these funding sources secured, the project is now fully funded and underway.
Current Status (October 2025)
Construction is officially beginning in late October 2025, immediately following a community groundbreaking ceremony. The project will continue through summer 2026.
During this time, crews will remove the existing playground equipment, complete grading and utility work, and install the new universally accessible play structures, surfacing, and landscape improvements.
The playground will be built concurrently with the Community Center renovation and restroom upgrades to minimize total construction duration.
Press
Read more about the project with these links:
Contact
For questions or updates about the project, please contact:
Capitola Public Works Department
Email: capitoladpw@ci.capitola.ca.us(link sends e-mail)
Phone: (831) 475‑7300
