The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) will host Jill Zachary, Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation director, for a presentation on Santa Barbara’s Coastal Parks: Past, Present and Future.
The talk, at 7 p.m. Thursday June 18 at SBMM, will explore the history, cultural importance, and future vision of Santa Barbara’s coastal park system. SBMM members are invited to a pre-lecture reception, 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Tickets are free for Navigators Circle members, $10 for SBMM members, $20 for the general public, and $5 for students and educators with a valid school ID or email.
Purchase tickets here, email reservations@sbmm.org or call 805-456-8750.
Stretching from the Douglas Family Preserve on the city’s western edge to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge in the east, Santa Barbara’s coastal parks encompass 291 acres of open space, six linear miles of beach, and a diverse range of recreational facilities.
For more than 150 years, these public spaces have contributed to the cultural, recreational, ecological and economic vitality of Santa Barbara, helping define the community’s enduring relationship with the coast.
Zachary’s presentation will provide an overview of the acquisition, development, and evolution of Santa Barbara’s coastal park system over time.
The talk will highlight recent restorations of historically significant community assets, including Plaza del Mar, Thousand Steps, and the Cabrillo Pavilion, along with efforts to honor the heritage of the native Chumash at Ambassador Park; strengthen native habitat and wildfire resilience; and advance renewal plans for Dwight Murphy Field.
Attendees will learn about upcoming community conversations surrounding a citywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
As Santa Barbara continues to grow and adapt, its coastal parks remain central to the quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, SBMM said.
“This presentation offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the past, understand current priorities, and consider the future of these beloved public spaces,” event organizers said.
Zachary has served as the city’s Parks and Recreation director since 2015, overseeing an annual operating budget of $30 million and the management of 64 parks, beaches and recreation facilities, as well as the city’s urban forest program, operations at the Municipal Golf Course, and park and facility capital renovations.
She began her career with the city in 1999 as a regional planner, later serving as Creeks Restoration and Water Quality manager and assistant Parks and Recreation director.
A Santa Barbara resident since 1992, Zachary previously worked for the Community Environmental Council as an environmental program manager.
She holds a BA from Oberlin College and a Master of Public Administration from Cal State Northridge.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
The Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series brings leading voices in ocean science, maritime history, and environmental stewardship to the Santa Barbara community.
“The series reinforces SBMM’s mission to illuminate our connections to the sea through education and storytelling,” organizers said.
The Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is sponsored by Marie L Morrisroe.
For tickets and more information, visit sbmm.org.
Founded in 2000, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum presents and interprets the maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel.