The San Dieguito River Park
18372 Sycamore Creek Rd.
Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: (858) 674-2270
Fax: (858) 674-2280
The River Park has converted from a print-based distribution system to a web-based system. If you are interested in receiving e-mail notices when the quarterly activity schedule is posted to the website, and news of special events occurring in the Park, click above to send us an e-mail.
What's New at SDRP
May 2008
Lagoon Mouth Opened May 6th
For more information about how lagoons function and specifics about the San Dieguito Lagoon Inlet, read Shawna Anderson's "Did You Know" Column.
ROTARIANS
WORK TO HELP THE
SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK
April 26th was Rotary at Work Day
The San Dieguito River Park was fortunate to benefit in two different areas of the Park.
In the coastal area, the Del Mar Rotary built a trail and installed a fence. Click here for more pictures of their activities.
The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Clubs helped with clearing, weedwhacking, and screening for historic materials at the former Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse site (burned in the Witch Fire). Click here for more pictures of their activities.
See Barbara Baker's latest Trails 'n' Tales column and read about horse patrolling in San Pasqual Valley. Above, from "Bowtie"'s perspective.
Youth Volunteers
Help with Fire Recovery
These pictures are of the University of Minnesota students in the "Environmental Backpacking" program helping SDRP Rangers with trail restoration following the Witch Fire. Above, with Ranger Ken Colburn. Click here to read more and for more pictures.
1999 Yukon Donated to River Park
Donated by Drs. Christine and Alex Sherer of Village Veterinary Hospital in Escondido.
The Drs. Sherer say, "Keep your eye on the River Park's wish list. You never know when you can turn old possessions to better use."
The River Park staff says "THANK YOU very much! We just added a new park ranger, Jake Gibbs, to help with the fire recovery work, and now we have a vehicle for him to drive. A gift of a great vehicle like this will make our ranger staff much more efficient."
Outgoing SDRP Board Chair Dianne Jacob read an impressive list of accomplishments for 2007 at the Board's January 18, 2008 meeting. Recognition was given to staff, volunteers, partners and the Board members for their hard work in achieving so many goals. Click here to read the list of accomplishments.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SDRP needs your help to repair the Park's trails and replant valuable wildlife habitat on the burned slopes. Trail Restoration 2nd Sunday of each month, 8-11 a.m.
Habitat Rehabilitation 3rd Saturday of each month, 8-11 a.m. Please call Barbara at 858 674-2275 x 14 for directions.
WHAT IS IT?
Thanks from SDRP Staff
We are grateful for the many offers of help we have received since the Witch Fire burned down our office and so much of the Park, including the trails and the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse. Help has ranged from cash donations, offers of office space, gifts of furniture and tools, discounted services, and more. Click here to see a partial list of donors and find out how you too can contribute.
While the San Dieguito River Park offices are rebuilt (about 18 months), we have rented temporary office space at the City of San Diego's former San Pasqual Water Reclamation Facility. The address is 14103 Highland Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025. Pictured above are some of the River Park staff in the new "conference room" (shared by two staff members) with a beautiful table donated by Scripps Institute of Oceanography and upholstered chairs donated by A.G.Edwards.
The mailing address continues to be our old address, 18372 Sycamore Creek Road, Escondido, CA 92025.
The phone system has been installed and the phone numbers listed on the contacts page are working again effective 12/07/07.
Fire affected 62% of San Dieguito River Park. Click below for detailed map prepared by SDRP volunteer and GIS consultant Kit Wilson.
SAN DIEGUITO RIVER PARK HIT HARD BY WILDFIRES
Hundreds, if not thousands, of acres of the San Dieguito River Park were burned from the Witch fire, which followed almost exactly the boundaries of the Park's focused planning area from Lake Sutherland to Rancho Santa Fe. The Park Headquarters located on Sycamore Creek Road in the San Pasqual Valley (at the northwestern edge of Poway) was completely destroyed (see photos at right). In addition, the circa 1880 Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse was also lost. River Park officials and staff will be conducting an assessment of the extent of damage to the park in the coming days and weeks. Dick Bobertz, San Dieguito River Park Executive Director, said, "Although this is a major setback for the River Park, we will turn it to our advantage to plan ahead in ways we might not have thought of before. With our terrific staff and wonderful volunteers we'll put the pieces back together sooner than anyone would expect."
Below is a picture of all that remains at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, taken 10/23/07 at 7 a.m. by SDRP supporter Cathrine Laguna. (Click here to see information about the Sikes Adobe, its history, its 2003 restoration and scenes from better days.) Click on the picture to see the larger version. Click here to see more post-fire pictures. All the wood on the farmhouse is gone, but the original 1870 adobe walls were still standing after the fire. Following the 11/30/07 rain, a portion of one wall collapsed.
The San Dieguito River Park has completed the purchase of the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse site (5.742 acres) from the City of San Diego, utilizing $170,000 in funds from the County of San Diego. The San Dieguito River Park will rebuild the farmhouse (the original adobe walls are still standing) with insurance proceeds. With a grant from the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, the River Park rangers will make improvements to the north side of the site by Sunset Drive, adding lodgepole fencing on the perimeter, a gate for controlled access, plantings and picnic tables. For more information, click here to read the press release.
Wildflowers Ablaze
over Del Dios Gorge
Photo by Chris Khoury, long-time park supporter and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Boardmember
$30,500 Raised SO FAR in
"Donate a Plank" Program!
Money to be used in the San Dieguito Lagoon area for interpretive signs, wetland restoration, trails
ALMOST HALF OF MULE HILL/
SAN PASQUAL VALLEY TRAIL IS OPEN
The trail is now open from Sunset Drive to the west side of Raptor Ridge. The remainder of the trail remains closed.
NORTH SHORE LAKE HODGES TRAIL
IS OPEN
The North Shore Lake Hodges Trail is open now from Sunset Drive to Hernandez Hideaway.
Click here for maps and more info about the trails. We appreciate your patience as River Park Rangers and Volunteer crews diligently repair the damaged trails. Our goal is to make them safe and re-open them as quickly as possible.
Click here to read Resource & Trails Manager Jason Lopez' "What's Growing On" Column on the Trail Re-Opening process.
DONATIONS
San Dieguito River Park
Post-Fire Wish List
River Park rangers and other staff lost all equipment in the fire. Please take a look at the attached list and see if you are able to help replace any of it. Donations of equipment, tools or cash are tax-deductible!
The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy is accepting donations for "fire recovery" that will be placed in a special fund and used exclusively for fire-related restoration activities in the River Park. To donate, click here.
Click HERE for a link to a Channel 10 KGTV news story about the San Dieguito River Park, featuring Senior Park Ranger David Hekel and long-time volunteer Jerry Rockwell
ATTENTION BICYCLISTS!
PLEASE HELP EDUCATE FELLOW
TRAIL USERS
Your access to burn areas is dependent upon trail users' willingness to stay on designated trails ONLY and out of recovering vegetation
The picture above shows the start of what will become severe erosion. On the recently burned slopes, just one bicyclist riding downhill creates the start of rivulets that will become major ruts, leading to erosion and failure of the native plants to re-grow.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD - STAY ON THE TRAILS.
CAUTION TO TRAIL USERS
Please do not go out on the San Dieguito River Park Trails until our rangers and volunteers are able to inspect them to make sure they are safe. There are still downed power lines and other hazards.
Click here for information regarding which trails are safe to use.
Pictures of the San Dieguito River Park
Office after the Witch Fire of 2007
NEWS BITS
PROJECT UPDATES -
CLICK FOR CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
FOR MAJOR PARK PROJECTS
San Dieguito River Park Board of Directors awards contract for Coastal Trail and Treatment Pond construction to R.J. Bullard ConstructionSeptember 21, 2007
Grant received for $347,000 from California Resources Agency for Lake Hodges Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge June 29, 2007
San Dieguito River Park Board of Directors awards contract for Phase Two of Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge construction to FCI Constructors, Inc.June 15, 2007
To watch a video about the San Dieguito Wetland Restoration Project on the Southern California Wetland Recovery Project website, click here.
San Dieguito Watershed Management Plan Completed11/30/06. San Dieguito River Park Board of Directors agrees on 1/19/07 to co-chair San Dieguito Watershed Council with San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy to implement plan.
The San Dieguito River Park JPA Board adopts Resolution regarding proposed SDGE Powerlink project. 1/19/07
The San Dieguito River Park JPA Board awards contract for Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge Phase One (South Abutment) to FCI Constructors, Inc. Construction to begin early February 2007. 1/19/07
The San Dieguito River Park JPA Board awards contract for Del Dios Gorge Steel Truss Bridge Installation to R.J. Bullard Construction 12/15/06
San Dieguito River Park receives $313,000 grant from the State Resources Agency to assist with the construction of the Del Dios Gorge Steel Truss Bridge. The project will begin in January 2007. December 15, 2006
San Dieguito River Park receives $550,000 grant from the State Water Quality Control Board for creation of freshwater runoff treatment ponds in the San Dieguito Lagoon area.September 28, 2006 The San Dieguito Lagoon mouth will be opened on Friday, September 22, 2006
at 3:00 PM.
County Television Network wins two Emmys for its production of the restoration of the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, one for historic/cultural program, and the other for writing (Michael Russo). June 2006
San Diego Archaeological Center presents an award to the San Dieguito River Park for the "Voices of San Pasqual", a documentary produced by the San Dieguito River Park on the history of farming in the San Pasqual Valley. May 2006
SANDAG awards a two-year $50,000 grant to the San Dieguito River Park for habitat management for the Bernardo Mountain Management Area. The first $25,000 will be used to purchase a mini-excavator to make our rangers' work more effective. March 24, 2006
The Lake Hodges Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge is back on track to begin construction September 2006 following the action of the SANDAG Transportation Committee on March 17, 2006 to allocate an additional $2 million for the project. Read more about it in the Spring 2006 Executive Director's column,"Bridging the Gap".
For information on the progress of the San Dieguito Wetland Restoration Project, please call (858) 259-1955 or email DestreeL@collaborativeservices.biz.
San Diego Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) awarded its Outstanding Environmental Solution award for 2005 to the San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project prepared by Project Design Consultants and Southern California Edison.
San Dieguito River Park Senior Ranger Todd Stepien left the River Park in November. He has taken a position in Costa Mesa, and he and his wife, Jenny Slater Stepien, who formerly worked for the River Park herself, will be moving there soon. Todd worked at the River Park for six and a half years, and will be greatly missed. His biggest achievement was the development of the River Park's Scout Program. He took seriously his responsibility to be a good supervisor as the Scouts built projects in the River Park to earn various Scout badges, including the Eagle badge, and to be a good role model and to give the Scouts recognition for their efforts. He frequently attended Troop meetings when one of his Scouts was scheduled to receive his Eagle Badge.We'll miss you, Todd!
The SCE/JPA Wetland Restoration and Coast to Crest Trail Project received approval of its Coastal Development Permit application from the California Coastal Commission at their October 12 meeting in San Diego. Some activity may occur before the end of the year, but the major work will begin after January.
The City of San Diego is in the process of developing a Watershed Plan for the San Dieguito River Watershed. The planning effort is funded by a $200,000 grant from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (administered by the State of California), and began in the summer of
2003.Weston Solutions, Inc. was selected as the consultant to prepare the plan by assisting in identifying goals, objectives and a vision of the future for the watershed. The work group is seeking public input at several workshops that are scheduled in the next few months. To learn more about the project and its timing, and how you can be involved in the San Dieguito watershed planning process, click here to go to the www.projectcleanwater.org website.
The San Diego City Council approved the Site Development Permit for the Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge on September 20th. A condition of approval was that the bridge would be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day. Construction is not expected to begin before September 2006.
The San Diego County Water Authority construction of a 5,800-foot-long, 10-foot diameter tunnel, connecting Lake Hodges to the Olivenhain Reservoir will cause some closures of the Hodges North Shore Trail. Click here for updates.
Signs will be posted during the closure periods. Beginning January 30, 2006, the trail will be closed for several months until the current construction phase is completed. Please be mindful that these closures are for your safety and please obey all signs. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please report any problems regarding the trail itself to David Hekel, San Dieguito River Park Ranger at 858-674-2275, ext. 17.
The
planning area for the San Dieguito River Park is located in
central San Diego County, at the northern edge of the City
of San Diego. The western end begins at the ocean at Del Mar.
The planning area follows the course of the San Dieguito River
to its source at Ironside Spring on Volcan Mountain just north
of Julian.
No.
The San Dieguito River Park is a Joint Powers Authority. The
term "Joint Powers Authority" (JPA) means that some public
agencies have agreed to jointly share certain powers, such
as the power to manage and acquire land.
The Focused
Planning Area (FPA) is the area of focus for the San
Dieguito River Park's acquisition and planning efforts. It
is the area of jurisdiction for the San Dieguito River Park
Joint Powers Authority. The FPA roughly corresponds to the
viewshed of the San Dieguito River Valley and its tributary
streams - that is, what you could see if you were standing
on the valley floor.
The
creation of the San Dieguito River Park is a long-term project.
It is one that not only you, but your children and perhaps
grandchildren will be able to participate in. Individual segments
are acquired, planned and implemented as funds become available.
Please visit our FAQ
page for more information on SDRP.
The San Dieguito
River Valley Regional Open Space Park Joint Powers Authority,
also known as the San Dieguito River Park,
is the agency responsible for creating a greenway and natural
open space park in the San Dieguito River Valley. The vision
of the River Park is to preserve and interpret the natural
and cultural resources of the river valley from the river's
source on Volcan Mountain, north of Julian, to the Pacific
Ocean in Del Mar.
If you have photos, graphs, geological
data, wildlife data, or other useful information that is
relevant to SDRP's mission, please
don't
hestitate
to contact
us at: sdrp@sdrp.org
We
welcome feedback on this site. If there is additional information
you think should be added, or other improvements which could
be made, please contact us: sdrp@sdrp.org
The San Dieguito River
Park Website is hosted courtesy of: The
QInsight Group Investment Research & Advice for Professionals
and Serious Investors.
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Consulting provided courtesy of Astra
Consulting.
