TM competitions and training programs , which generate revenues for the Sports Center as well as local hotels and restaurants . Morgan Hill has the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center , the Centennial Recreation Center and the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center . Gilroy is looking at an expansion of its Sports Park to create yet another regional draw .
Agritourism is something South County continues to develop . “ The Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail is an excellent example . Morgan Hill , San Martin , Gilroy and the county all got on board to make it happen . People like to come and tour the wineries and our downtowns for food and entertainment ,” Tate said .
“ Gilroy is making a big push in conjunction with Morgan Hill to help market our local wineries , to make people north of us aware that we have world-class wineries ,” Velasco added .
When it comes to food-themed events , the Gilroy Garlic Festival is now in its 39 th year . Other big regional draws are Morgan Hill ’ s annual Mushroom Mardi Gras , now in its 38 th year , and the Taste of Morgan Hill events .
The Gilroy Welcome Center has done a fabulous job promoting tourism in Gilroy and by association in all of the South County . The same is true with the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the Tourism Alliance . Major events fill hotels in both Gilroy and Morgan Hill .
“ South County has a strong agricultural heritage , as opposed to having been ‘ developed out ’ like the rest of the county ,” Tate said . “ Our farms , ranches , wineries , nurseries , and tree farms have shaped our regional identity since the beginning . We also have a stronger representation of Hispanic communities than the rest of Santa Clara County , as do Hollister and Monterey . We don ’ t do a lot with those cities , but from a cultural aspect , we could explore the possibility of regional initiatives .”
“ If Santa Clara County were to win designation as a National Heritage Area , it would make our county the first area west of the Mississippi to win this distinction ,” Velasco said . “ People from South County communities are currently engaged in a countywide effort to apply for this designation . Agriculture holds a special place in our local , regional , state and national history . It ’ s something for us to be proud of .”
Regionalism and Quality of Life
“ Gilroy and Morgan Hill are experiencing growing pains , which is a good thing ,” Velasco said . “ With that , we have to try , whenever possible and practical , to partner up where we share interests . Maybe it ’ s approaching state legislators about a particular issue , maybe it ’ s about the High-Speed Rail . We want to be at the table , connecting with others , influencing policy decisions . Mayor Tate and I have each other ’ s phone numbers and won ’ t hesitate to call each other .”
According to Tate , “ When a new issue or opportunity surfaces , it ’ s important to ask ourselves , up front , ‘ Should we be looking at this regionally ?’ It ’ s a good litmus test . Within ten years South County will be well recognized in terms of having a regional identity . We want to reach that goal while preserving the quality of life that brought us here in the first place .”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MAY / JUNE 2017 gmhtoday . com
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