Castro Adobe State Historic Park Accessibility Improvements

The project involves enhancing accessibility at Rancho San Andreas Castro Adobe Park to ensure compliance with disability access standards and improve visitor experience. Key improvements include constructing an accessible concrete parking stall with a ramp leading to the front entry of the Kimbro House, as well as creating a continuous accessible path of travel from the Kimbro House Courtyard to the front of the Castro Adobe, incorporating two landings for interpretive signage. The exterior areas of the buildings will be modified with minimal excavation to install timber-edged aggregate paving, providing a firm and stable surface suitable for large tour groups. An access ramp will be added to the existing wooden deck in front of the Adobe, and a new low-profile deck, constructed from materials that match the existing deck and boardwalk, will be installed at the Cocina entrance to create a seamless, flush entry into the exhibit area. All work is being undertaken by the California Department of Parks and Recreation to meet accessibility requirements while preserving the historic character of the site. The project is forecasted with a posted date of July 10, 2026, and the place of performance is located at Watsonville, California, with a zip code of 95076. Linda Hitchcock, Senior Park and Recreation Specialist, serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries, reachable via email and phone. The project is part of broader efforts to make state historic parks more inclusive and welcoming to all visitors, particularly those with mobility challenges, without compromising the architectural and cultural integrity of the historic structures.