GILROY — Running along Christmas Hill Park, along side of Uvas
Creek, is a path that marks the dividing line between two
completely different worlds.
GILROY — Running along Christmas Hill Park, along side of Uvas Creek, is a path that marks the dividing line between two completely different worlds.
One only needs to close his or her eyes to feel the difference. From one side come the sounds of the everyday world: Cars woosh past with the sounds of grinding engines – some with bass pounding from their stereos – dogs bark in backyards and planes fly over the valley toward San Jose.
But from the other side, one hears little but the ground under his or her feet along with the chirping of birds and the soft sound of twigs and bushes giving way to the squirrels, rabbits and other small animals that calls the Uvas Creek Preserve their home.
Opening one’s eyes, the difference becomes even more apparent, as the surrounding neighborhood creeps in with its homes, satellite dishes and cars are within plain view on one side, However, on the other the trees, bushes, creek and green hills at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains call out for your attention.
The Uvas Creek path is a dividing line between the calmness of the natural world and the insanity and stresses of our daily lives.
Perhaps that is the reason why so many people’s shoes, pets’ feet and bicycles’ tires have beaten down the path at Uvas Creek, why the nearly two miles of paths – both paved and dirt – give people such a feeling of relaxation, and why so many families and friends find their way to the park and to the paths that winds their way along the creekbed.
Other than an infrequent passerby talking on his cell phone, there is little to keep someone from completely becoming immersed in the calmness of the park.
The preserve’s visitors, who come for the serenity, the beauty and the fresh smelling vegetation that encompass the area by Christmas Hill Park, can relax and take in the sights and sounds of the small habitat before they make their way back to the other side and into the commotion of life in Silicon Valley.
One family that finds time to do just that is the Kovachs, who were walking down on the dirt trail that runs along the side of the creek – something they do about three times every week.
Pete Kovach, a local optometrist, his wife Lynn and their three children – Brad, 10, Andrea, 7, and Natalie, 4 – often walk from their home, four houses away from the beginning of north side of the trail, down to Miller Avenue and back again. All the while, they take in the peaceful surroundings.
“If I’m all by myself I go all the way to the end (of the trail),” Lynn said. “But if we all go out we go to Miller. We go on top one way and on the bottom on the way back.”
The park means a lot to the Kovach family. In fact, one of the reasons the couple decided to buy the home in the neighborhood was because it was so close to the Uvas Creek levee.
“We go for exercise or to throw rocks in the water,” Lynn said. “The kids love the creek. They like to play hide and seek. Brad likes to ride his bike down here with friends.”
As the sun escaped behind the Santa Cruz Mountains and casted a shadow over the 125-acre preserve that runs from Santa Teresa Boulevard to West Luchessa Avenue on the southwest part of Gilroy, Lynn couldn’t help but comment on the beautiful scenery as the family made their way back up the dirt path along the creek on their way home.
“It feels like a different world here,” she said. “This is the prettiest time of the year.”
For Pete, who was walking along with one of the family’s two dogs – a black cocker spaniel named Pepper that was a stray dog found near the creek – taking a walk with the family is a way to relax.
“It’s just nice to get out,” he said.
As the days continue to gain sunlight as spring slowly approaches, the traffic at the park is sure to pick up with more people looking to escape for a few minutes.
However, Lynn has been surprised to see such a small amount of foot traffic at the park.
“I don’t think that many people on the other side of town use it,” she said.
And that’s all right by her and the other Kovacs, who continue to enjoy the quiet of the preserve.
“This creek is one of the best kept secrets.” she said.
