In the year 2016, there were many accomplishments for San Dieguito River Park. During late winter and early spring, Park staff and Volunteers planted 13,198 plants throughout the River Park, in 15 different sites. Out of the total lump sum of those native plant species that we planted, 7,000 of those plants went to Bernardo Mountain habitat management project areas. This was made possible thru the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service) grant, and we also harvested and bought some native plant seeds which added to a total of 148 pounds that were also spread throughout the River Park within those 15 sites that were chosen for revegetation management of native plant species to those areas and removal of nonnative plants within those areas.
The San Dieguito River Park JPA was excited to announce that the California Natural Resources Agency awarded it a $285,140 River Parkways Program grant to build the Pamo Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail. The funds paid for materials, supplies, subcontractors, and other construction-related costs to build the 3-mile long segment of Coast to Crest Trail in Pamo Valley near Ramona. The JPA thanks its partners: the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, City of San Diego Public Utilities Department (land owner), and REI, for helping secure this important milestone. The trail through Pamo Valley links two existing Forest Service trails for a total of 12 miles of Coast to Crest Trail. Construction was done by River Park Rangers and volunteers, as well as work crews from California Conservation Corps and Urban Corps, and private contractors such as Black Sage Environmental, Poway Fence Company, San Diego Fence Company, and other companies. The grant also funded a staging area, interpretive signage, and habitat restoration near the trail. Trail construction started fall 2017.
Several years ago, the San Dieguito River Park\\\’s staff, spearheaded by former Deputy Director Susan Carter, pursued directional freeway signs for the River Park. A proposal was written to Caltrans District 11, describing what was desired, including the specific text and mile marker locations. Caltrans first responded that the Park didn’t qualify for the signs because there wasn’t enough trail usage to justify them. After River Park staff spoke to key Caltrans employees about the true usage of the Coast to Crest Trail systems and the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bike/Ped Bridge, Caltrans agreed to install the signs. Next time you are driving down I-15, keep your eyes out for the new signs.
San Dieguito River Park Rangers Bryan Ward and Felipe Franco (myself) installed two 36-inch convex mirrors on both ends of the I-5 freeway trail undercrossing at the San Dieguito Lagoon. They were put up to ensure trail users enjoy their experience on the trail and feel safer continuing on in either direction around the blind corners, hopefully preventing any collision with other trail users. These newly installed safety features were made possible through a donation by Dwight Worden, JPA Board Member.
Felipe Franco
Park Ranger, San Dieguito River Park JPA
2015 – Five-day Field Trips, Coastal Ranger Station planning and a New Trail for Pamo Valley