Las Positas Modoc Road Bicycle & Pedestrian Path Project

This project constucted a 2.6 mile-long separated pathway for bicyclists, runners, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities along Las Positas and Modoc Roads.

The pathway starts on the south side of Modoc Road at Calle De Los Amigos and continuse east to the west side of Las Positas Road, then veers south along Las Positas Road to Cliff Drive.

• Improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Increased walking and biking opportunities.
• Improved access to Elings Park, Arroyo Burro Beach, Douglas Family Preserve, etc.
• Connection to Coast Bike Route – bike from the Santa Barbara Waterfront to Goleta Beach!

Through the restoration of native California plant communities, the City strives to improve local biodiversity and soil health, enhance our public spaces, support wildlife, and celebrate the rich ecology of the Central Coast.

The City thanks the public for their cooperation and patience during the habitat restoration efforts. We invite all to enjoy the multiuse path and view the habitat restoration sites.

Pathway Planting: 
A total of 75 trees comprised of coast live oak, island live oak, and California buckeyes were planted along the pathway. As these native trees grow, they will contribute to a scenic corridor, offering shade and beauty to path users while attracting local bird species and pollinators. Over 500 native plants were installed in areas along the pathway where non-native species existed previously. Additionally, the bare ground areas along the pathway were seeded with native species.

Las Positas Modoc Road Bicycle & Pedestrian Path Project - completed pathway heading toward beach

Veteran’s Memorial Walk:
The Veteran's Memorial Walk in Elings Park features 1.5 acres of new coastal sage scrub plantings. This essential plant community provides food and shelter for native wildlife, including butterflies, birds, and reptiles.

Picture of the Veteran’s Memorial Walk in Elings Park, along the hillside above the Las Positas Multiuse path showing newly planted native plants.

Oak Grove:
In 2021, biologists identified that an oak grove in Elings Parks contained many older specimens, but few young saplings. To protect the long-term future of the grove, the City collected and germinated acorns from local trees and planted 104 trees in the understory beneath the mature canopy. As they mature, these coast live oak saplings will contribute to the health of the local ecosystem and sustain the grove into the future. This oak grove is visible from Veteran’s Memorial Walk in Elings Park.

Picture of the Oak Grove in Elings Park showing young seedlings (protected by plastic tubes) growing under mature oak trees.

Mesa Creek:  Mesa Creek is a seasonal stream tributary to Arroyo Burro Creek. To enhance the habitat value of the Arroyo Burro watershed (the watershed that contains the Las Positas and Modoc Roads Multiuse Path), the City conducted targeted restoration activities such as weeding, removal of non-native Oregon ash trees, and planting of native trees, throughout four acres of riparian forest along Mesa Creek.

The planting phase was completed in 2022. Restoration specialists will oversee these sites for several years to ensure the newly planted vegetation is established successfully.

Picture of vegetation around Mesa Creek including ash trees.

However, the City will be in a landscape maintenance and mitigation phase for years to come.

Construction of the path began in late August 2020, with an estimated 18-month construction duration, which included the planting of replacement trees and landscaping.

Path Renderings and Cross Sections