Save the Dirt Farm

Facebook Live stream featuring community members speaking in opposition to the proposed statue at the Dirt Farm.

Facebook Live stream featuring community members speaking in favor of the proposed statue at the Dirt Farm.

Nikki Hotvedt writes about the proposed 16-to-18-foot bronze female surfer statue at the Dirt Farm in Pleasure Point, arguing the location is inappropriate despite supporting the commemorative concept. The piece criticizes the approval process as lacking adequate community engagement, citing insufficient notification and a compressed timeline before the May 5 supervisors’ vote.

Santa Cruz County officials approved a 16-foot bronze statue of a female surfer on East Cliff Drive to complement the existing male surfer statue and celebrate women’s contributions to local surf culture. The privately-funded project received support from local surfing figures despite community concerns about impacts to the coastal landscape.

Santa Cruz Local reports on the community’s nuanced stance: strong support for the statue concept, but widespread opposition to the Dirt Farm as the chosen site.

The Inertia reports on the growing opposition from Pleasure Point residents who support the statue but argue the Dirt Farm location would impact parking, safety, and the character of the neighborhood.

Santa Cruz Local examines whether the proposed female surfer statue can secure enough community backing amid growing concerns about its planned East Cliff Drive location.

The Inertia picks up the story nationally, covering the proposal for a female counterpart to the iconic male surfer statue on West Cliff Drive.

Lookout Santa Cruz covers the proposal for a 17-foot bronze female surfer statue on East Cliff Drive, spearheaded by Pleasure Point resident Kari Lochhead to complement the male surfer statue on West Cliff.