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News from the San Dieguito River Park February/March 2007
In this issue
  • Before You Hit The Trail!
  • Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley Offering Lagoon Tours
  • We Need YOU!
  • Old Farmhouse is Dressed Up
  • Hey, How About A Hike?
  • Support the Park - Become a Conservancy Member
  • A Request to You
  • Greetings!

    Happy 2007 from the San Dieguito River Park - even if it is already February!


    Before You Hit The Trail!

    "Wilderness Survival for Kids (And Adults Too)" will be held on Saturday, February 10th from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Westfield North County Fair Mall Community Room (2nd level next to McDonalds and across from Taco Bell) in Escondido. Mark your calendars for this one and take the time to learn basic safety tips and essential techniques that will give your child (and you) the confidence to hit the trail!

    How often do we hear stories about people of all ages wandering from a park, a picnic area, a campsite, a trail -- being lost can happen anywhere anytime that you find yourself in an unfamiliar place. A wilderness doesn't have to be in the deep Sierras. Initiated in response to a local child lost in Mount Palomar State Park, this program begun by now retired Oceanside Police Captain Steve Scarano is being offered by the San Dieguito River Park. Now part of the Volunteer Trail Patrol, Scarano and members of the San Diego mountain Rescue Team, the Southwest Search Dogs, and Nomad Ventures will be on hand to teach basic survival actions that anyone can take.

    So if you're a parent, a youth group leader, a day care provider, a teacher, a coach, an avid outdoorsman . . . you're all invited! Be safe this year and all your life.

    No Reservations Necessary. First Come -- First Served. And Free!

    Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley Offering Lagoon Tours

    The San Dieguito Lagoon Restoration Project is underway and while the area looks like a construction site, it is a work in progress that will take at least three years to complete. In an effort to inform the community about both the progress and the area's rich cultural history, the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley have launched bus tours one Saturday a month that are free to the public. Because of the very limited numbers of seats, reservations must be made in advance and confirmed by the River Park office. Currently there is a waiting list!

    After six months of maintaining a docent presence at the lagoon and future site of the Strawberry Stand Wetland Learning Center, we had all but given up on inviting the public to learn about the wetland area at the western gateway to the River Park. But the first bus tour on January 13th changed all that -- there were more people than could be accommodated and the waiting list grew! The approximate two hour tours cover only about one percent of the planned park that spans 55 miles from Volcan Mountain to the ocean in Del Mar, but visitors will be able to view hundreds of acres along the way.

    We wish all our programs, activities, hikes, and work projects could be so successful! If you're interested, get your name on the waiting list by calling (858) 674-2275 ext. 14 and leaving your name, phone number, and number of people in your party -- we'll call you as soon as future dates become available.

    We Need YOU!

    The San Dieguito River Park needs your help! The restoration of our Park's trail system and the creation of wildlife habitat are essential. Pictured here is a volunteer working on the Santa Ysabel Creek Streambank Restoration project. Click on the picture for more information and pictures.

    Trail Maintenance work projects take place on the second Sunday of every month from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Habitat Restoration work projects take place every third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The quarterly Activity Calendar lists the location sites in advance. The sites vary according to the areas which require the most work. If we know you are coming (at least 48 hours in advance) we will provide tools and water. Just call (858) 674-2275 x14 and leave your name and number in your party. We'll be out there rain or shine!

    Trail work usually consists of using shovels, rakes, and loppers to clear debris from the trails. Habitat restoration projects entail watering, weeding, and spreading mulch and rock. We welcome everyone age 12 and above. This is an excellent way to earn hours, credits, and badges for environmental service!

    We want the trails and open space to be there for you and for the next generation!

    Old Farmhouse is Dressed Up

    If you happen to be on the Mule Hill Trail on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon ( 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.) stop in at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead and see the new wallpaper and some beautiful paintings of the San Dieguito River Valley that are on display courtesy of the Escondido Art Association until March 20th!

    Click on the image on the left to see the history of the wallpaper project.

    For more information about the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse, and for directions - click here.

    Hey, How About A Hike?

    The first guided hike of the year kicked off with Trail Patrollers Jan Hughes and Sue Munz leading a "Hike With The Hounds" and sixteen pooches showed up with their owners in tow! Typical of Southern California weather, it was a beautiful morning out on the North Shore Trail. They encountered numerous bicyclists and hikers along the way to Felicita Creek.

    This quarter all the guided hikes will be led by Volunteer Trail Patrol so check out page three of the Activity Calendar and find a hike that suits you. We have one on almost every trail. If you just want to get out and walk or you want to learn a little regional lore there's a hike for you! No reservations are required. Just join and enjoy!

    Support the Park - Become a Conservancy Member

    The San Dieguito River Park is supported through an ongoing partnership between the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy is a citizen membership organization. Conservancy members are the San Dieguito River Park “Park Partners”. If you care about preserving the San Dieguito River Park as a legacy for the future, we urge you to become a member of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Click here to go to their website where you can become a member as well as make additional contributions, which you can leave undesignated or designate for the type of thing you are interested in - Endowment, Trails or Education.

    A Request to You

    Many River Park supporters may not know that the River Park has converted from a print-based news distribution to an e-mail based distribution only. Therefore, please forward this e-mail to anyone you think would be interested. Then they can sign up for themselves if they wish to continue receiving the San Dieguito River Park's RiverScape newsletter. Thank you!

    Quick Links...

    phone: 858 674-2270