The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is making accessibility improvements to the Heart’s Delight Trail and other facilities at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. This project will include providing accessible use areas, and connecting the parking lot, trailhead, and interpretive seating and use areas via the Heart’s Delight Trail. This will include a new shaded central gathering area at the preserve entrance with accessible signage, including preserve information and interpretation, as well as seating.

Improvements to the existing ¼-mile (½-mile round trip) Heart’s Delight Trail will include standardizing the width and installing a stabilized surface. New accessible nodes along the Heart’s Delight Trail will interpret the history and future of Coyote Valley. An accessible picnic and gathering area will be designed to facilitate use for the general public and support environmental education programming for school and other community groups. This project will provide opportunities to expand programming and connect the community to nature through highlighting the views, wildlife, and natural resources to be found and enjoyed at the preserve. 

Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is envisioned as part of a regional north-south trail network with future connections to the Authority’s approximately 1,500-acre Coyote Valley Conservation Area, the adjacent 1,800-acre former Tilton Ranch, and County parklands beyond.  This project is the first step in realizing a longer-term vision at this location for ecological restoration, enhanced wildlife habitat, and nature-based recreation.

The total cost of the project is $1.4 million, with $800,000 funded by the Federal Community Project Funding, $200,000 from Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Safe, Clean Water Project D3 Trails Grant Program and $400,000 from the Open Space Authority’s Measure Q.