Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District
Downtown Rec Center Office Open Tues-Fri. 10-2pm 13333 Middleton Ave 831-338-4144
Bear Creek Office Open Tuesday- Sunday hours vary 15685 Forest Hill Drive 831-703-4135
Upcoming Events
Free Food Fridays
The Grey Bears Healthy Food program feeds Santa Cruz County residents 55 and older who have signed up for weekly food distribution at various locations throughout the county. Tucked under the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Boulder Creek has been added to the list of places where leftovers from the program can be safely distributed.
All items are given away for free to anyone and everyone in the community. No proof of income needed. Please come and take what you need.
Donations are accepted but not mandatory.
Every Friday in front of the open lot next to Jenna Sue's Cafe, rain or shine. 3pm - until items are gone.
If raining, food will be given out at Junction Park
A big shout out to the BCRPD volunteers who make this possible each week for the community.
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$20 per child, $5 for each additional sibling
For ages 3-11
Located at the Downtown Rec Center
Parents, have a night out and drop the kiddos off with us! Our team is dedicated to creating a fun filled evening with your little ones! Not only do we have dinner covered (pasta or pizza depending on allergy restrictions), but we will entertain with a bounce house, games in the gym, arts & crafts and an age appropriate movie!
Paint, Sip & Soak
with Yeshe Jackson Fine Art
Saturday, March 7th
6-9pm
Bear Creek Community Center
15685 Forest Hill Dr. in Boulder Creek
Cost: $55 per ticket
1 ticket per person
No shared canvases for this event.
2 hours of instructor led painting with Yeshe Jackson Fine Art for ages 18+ 6-8pm.
Hot tub & sauna 8-9pm.
Bring your own swim suite and towel if using the hot tub and/or sauna.
Beer, wine & non alcoholic drinks available for additional purchase at the bar 6-8:45pm.
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March 14th 9am-3pm
Downtown Rec Center Parking Lot
Help us fill a Goodwill truck for the chance of earning up to $1k back to our Foundation!
Has the current weather got you in "spring cleaning" mode? We can help! Bring us your unwanted items Saturday March 14th 9am-3pm at the Downtown Rec Center parking lot (located behind Sheriff Station)
Did you already do your spring cleaning and cant wait to get the stuff out of your house? We are taking early donations at the Bear Creek Community Center. Drop off unwanted items between the hours of 12:30pm-5pm with a staff member March 12th & 13th.
LIST OF ITEMS WE CAN ACCEPT
• Clothing, linens
• Shoes, boots, purses, belts, and jewelry
• Household items – dishes, glassware, utensils, lamps and small appliances
• Books, textbooks, CD’s, video’s, DVD’s, games
• Sporting goods
• Computers, computer software and computer equipment
• Electronics – such as TV’s, radios, stereos, and phones
LIST OF ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT:
-Anything that is damaged, soiled or stained
• Paint, cleaning supplies, or other hazardous materials, anything that may have or may containalcohol, gasoline or other flammable materials and anything with a gas or propane tank
• Mattresses, box springs, futons, bed pillows and water bed components
• Plumbing or building supplies, Carpeting or Fixtures
• Large Appliances and Large exercise equipment such as treadmills and exercise bicycles
• Barbeques
• Food or Drinks
• Automobile parts or tires
• Weapons and Ammunition of any kind• Pianos and Organs
• Furniture – Sofas, dressers, chairs and tables, ect…
• Medical Equipment such as wheelchairs and medical beds
• Cribs and Baby items
• Microwaves and Printers
Spring Egg Hunt Celebration
April 4th Event 11-2pm
Hop on over for a day of family fun at our Egg Hunt & Spring Celebration on April 4th! Enjoy a festive afternoon filled with a petting zoo, tasty food & drinks, games, and a free craft table for kids to get creative.
Egg Hunts will take place by age group at:
🥚 11:30 AM
🥚 1:00 PM
Each egg is filled with fun surprises like rocks, candy, stickers, seeds, and small toys — something for every kind of kid to enjoy!
Plus, every child will get a special photo with the Bunny to remember the day Come celebrate spring with us — play, create, explore, and hunt for treasures
April Antics - A Month of Discovery and Fun
Spring into action from April 1–30, 2026, for April Antics, a month-long digital and in-person scavenger hunt through Boulder Creek. This exciting community event is a fundraiser for the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District (BCRPD) Foundation, the non-profit dedicated to supporting our local parks and programs.
Through the Item List, you’ll be challenged to discover Boulder Creek in a whole new way. Work together to find and document everything on the list—the more creative, the better! Some items are easy wins, while others will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Grab your team, snap your photos, and show off your team’s unique spirit.
Build Your Crew: Teams can have up to 10 members. Whether they’re people or your favorite mascots, everyone counts!
Lead the Way: Each team needs just one registration and one designated Team leader for all communications.
Get Ready: Watch your inbox! The Item List hits the Team Leader’s email at 5:00 PM on March 31.
The Challenge: You have the entire month of April to complete the list and send in your Team Submittal Package. Submit your Team Submittal Package by 5:00 PM on April 30th. You can drop it off in person at the Bear Creek Facility or the Downtown Rec Facility, or email it directly to bcrecfoundation@gmail.com.
Prizes: The Grand Prize is a private pool party at the Bear Creek Facility for the team with the most points! There are also Special Awards for the Most Creative Answers, First Team to Finish, Silliest Answers, Best Pictures, Most Dedicated, and possibly more.
SPLASHFEST at Garrahan Park
Presented by Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District and Messy Play Kits
📅 Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026🕚 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (11am-12pm low sensory hour)📍 Location: Garrahan Park, 15501 Hwy 9
💦 Dive into a day of water-filled fun featuring:
Water WallBoat Racing
Floating Castles
Colorful Spray Bottles Target Toss
Sprinklers
Giant Lite Brite
Marble Run (water only!)
An Arena for the Teens:
Dodgeball
Capture the Flag
Water Balloon Launchers
Sponge TagSlip
SlideBucket
Relay Races
Tot Zone:
Splash Pools
Toy Washing
Water Table with pump
🍧 Refreshments:
Delicious food and drinks available for purchase.
More details coming soon!
🧺 What to Bring:
Play clothes or bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, and your sense of adventure!
(Some people brought canopies for shade last year- not a bad idea!)