Los Baños del Mar – July 2025, Photo Courtesy City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Welcomes Jill Zachary for Talk on the History and Future of Santa Barbara’s Coastal Parks
Presentation will explore how parks from the Douglas Family Preserve to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge have shaped the city’s shoreline, recreation, and identity
SBMM is pleased to welcome Jill Zachary, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Santa Barbara, for a special presentation, “Santa Barbara’s Coastal Parks: Past, Present and Future.” The June talk will explore the remarkable history, cultural importance, and future vision of Santa Barbara’s coastal park system. The talk will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at SBMM. SBMM members are invited to a pre-lecture reception from 6:15–6:45 p.m.
Tickets: 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 below or by emailing 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, 6 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 also 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 also 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. This presentation offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the past, understand current priorities, and consider the future of these beloved public spaces.
Jill Zachary has served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Santa Barbara 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, reinforcing SBMM’s mission to illuminate our connections to the sea through education and storytelling. The Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is sponsored by Marie L Morrisroe.
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