Douglas Family Preserve, Open space park in Mesa neighborhood, Santa Barbara, US.
Douglas Family Preserve is an urban park spanning about 70 acres of undeveloped oceanfront land overlooking the coast near Santa Barbara. The property features multiple walking trails that run along the clifftops and through the interior, with views down to Arroyo Burro Beach below.
The land operated as a commercial nursery from 1949 until 1972 before eventually becoming a public space. In 1996, local residents raised over 2 million dollars to permanently secure it for public use.
The preserve honors a renowned actor who generously contributed funds toward acquiring this land for public use. This naming reflects how private donors have helped create public green spaces in the area.
The park is accessible from Medcliff Road, where street parking is available near the entrance. The trails are generally easy to walk, though some sections run along the bluffs and can be windy or muddy after rain.
The park is a popular spot for paragliding, with jumpers launching from the cliffs near the entrance during favorable winds. On good days, you might see up to eight gliders taking flight simultaneously from this coastal launching point.
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