Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is an independent special district in the San Francisco Bay Area. Formed in 1972 by voter initiative Measure R, it has acquired, preserved and restored a regional green belt of open space land and provides opportunities for ecologically-sensitive public enjoyment and education. The district, which includes parts of Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, works to form a continuous green belt of permanently preserved open space by linking its lands with other public park lands. A member of the Bay Area Open Space Council, the district also participates in cooperative efforts such as the San Francisco Bay Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail, and Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, which are regional trail systems in the Bay Area that include district lands. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has permanently preserved more than 70,000 acres (28,000 ha) of foothills, baylands, redwood forests, coastal grasslands, oak savannah and other open space across 26 open space preserves. Of the district's 26 preserves, 24 are open to the public free of charge, 365 days a year from dawn until one-half hour after sunset. The district's tax and voter base consists of about 550 square miles (1,400 km2) and 763,000 people, mostly in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. District revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026 were projected to be $94.4 million, with $82 million coming directly from a portion of property taxes. The district also occasionally receives state and federal grants, as well as private donations and rental income. The District's stated mission is: To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. On the Coast, Midpen has an expanded mission: To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Recreation Most of the preserves are open to recreation. Popular activities are hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Paragliding and hang gliding are permitted at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve with a special use permit. Camping is generally prohibited, though the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve does have a backpacking camp available by permit only. Of the 26 preserves, 24 are fully open to the public: Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve and Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve are not open. In total, as of 2025, the district has 259 mi (417 km) of hiking trails, of which 163 mi (262 km) are open to bicycles, 223 mi (359 km) to equestrians, and 63 mi (101 km) to leashed dogs. Another 5.3 mi (8.5 km) of trail require a permit to access. Preserves are relatively undeveloped, with most having only a parking area, trail signs, and possibly an outhouse. All preserves are open from dawn to one-half hour after sunset. Park rangers patrol the district and provide a range of services. Ranger staff are sworn peace officers but do not carry firearms. They wear tan and green uniforms; the badge is a gold metal seven-point star with an enameled California state seal in the center. Dispatch services are provided by the Mountain View Police Department under contract. Open space preserves The following open space preserves are managed by Midpen: Gallery Further reading Room to Breathe: The Wild Heart of the San Francisco Peninsula, Edited by Kristi Britt. Berkeley:Heyday Books (2012) ISBN 978-1-59714-199-4 Walker, Richard (2007). The Country in the City. Seattle: University of Washington Press. ISBN 978-0-29598-701-9. References External links Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District openspace.org Home Page Information on District Preserve