The San Dieguito River Park - Wish List
Help us make this dream a reality!
San Diego County has more endangered and rare plant
and animal species than any similarly sized place in North America.
It
is also one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country,
putting plant and animal habitats on a collision course with growth.
In the central part of the County, the San Dieguito
River flows from its source at 5,500 feet elevation just north
of Julian,
more than 55 miles west where the river meets the ocean between
Del Mar and Solana Beach. It flows through nearly all the habitats
of Southern California. Over half of the 80,000 acres of the
river valley is already in public hands and much of the privately
owned land is still undeveloped, offering a window of opportunity
that is closing quickly due to development pressure.
Over ten years ago a Joint Powers Authority was formed
by the five cities - Del Mar, Solana Beach, Escondido, Poway,
San Diego - and the County through which the river valley meanders
to
accomplish a visionary plan to preserve the natural habitat of
the entire river system. The San Dieguito River Park Joint
Powers Authority has made substantial progress in protecting
this irreplaceable
corridor for wildlife stretching from the ocean over the mountains
to the Anza-Borrego Desert. Included in the plan is a "Coast to Crest
Trail" for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians along the entire
55 miles of the natural open space corridor. When complete, the
River
Park will be a regional asset that will rank with the most ambitious
natural habitat preservation projects in the country.
The River Park accomplishes land acquisition and major
construction projects through Federal and State grants. But the
day-to-day trail maintenance, patrolling and small construction
projects such
as kiosks, benches, bridges and signs is done by volunteers with
contributions for materials and equipment. Therefore the River
Park maintains the following ongoing wish list for contributions.
- Endowment Fund. The River Park currently funds its annual operational
costs primarily through the contributions of its member agencies. As the
trail system is extended through the entire 55-mile length of the river
valley, operational and maintenance costs are projected to double in twenty
years. An endowment fund has been established to generate sufficient interest
revenue to cover those costs. To produce that magnitude of an endowment
in twenty years will require finding $200,000 each year for the next twenty
years, or an initial investment of $3 1/2 million.
Endowments will be accepted to maintain specific park structures such as
benches, kiosks, bridges and habitat areas in perpetuity. Contributions of
$500 or more will be memorialized with a bronze plaque installed on a particular
structure or a monument set in a habitat area.
- Construction materials. Wood, hardware, gravel and
other materials are needed for trail projects. Each year boy
scouts and other volunteers carry out small construction projects
in the park needing $10,000 annually for materials.
Projects that need funding and material costs
include:
Benches
$ 250
Kiosks
$2,000
Bridges
$2,000
Native
Plant Restoration $1,000
Park
Headquarters Landscaping $ 500
- Education. As the trail system expands, opportunities
for interpretation of the native habitat, and cultural, historical and archeological
features abound. Signs and educational pamphlet production is
an ongoing expense that approximates $10,000 annually with the
average cost of an interpretive sign at $500.
The Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse was recently restored to is period of significance - 1881. But to return it to the public as an educational interpretive site, it must be supplemented with
$25,000 - $50,000 for interpretive
displays and period furnishings. Located at the entrance to the San Pasqual Valley, it will help define
the history of the region. The San Pasqual Valley is the most significant agricultural
preserve remaining south of Los Angeles and this project is envisioned as a cooperative
effort with the agricultural community and schools. The area surrounding the
adobe will be developed to replicate the historic farmstead, with a working windmill, period gardens and adobe creamery.
- "Take Only Pictures" Field Study Kit. An innovative
interpretive program to teach high school students about stewardship
of our natural habitat. $6,000 is needed to prepare six kits
for classroom and field instruction. Kits will contain curriculum
booklet, digital camera, birdcall tape and player, binoculars
and field guides.
Back to Top
of Page.
|
