The trail will have an "enhanced" footprint along the route from Woods Valley Road to Cole Grade Road with a decomposed granite pathway, enclosed by lodge pole pine fencing on both sides of the trail. The pathway will meander down in to the Parks & Recreation District parcel at the corner of Valley Center and Lilac Roads.
This construction will implement two Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) Grants replacing the over 600 trees removed by the road widening project. The VCTA and other local citizens were instrumental in assisting county DPW obtain those grant funds, and Supervisor Horn recently added $280,000 in Community Projects Grant funds to complete the funding. The combined funding will now provide plantings along the trail/pathway, the center medians, and buy park benches and signage about local history and natural features along the trail, as well as picnic tables in the Oak grove where the trail will meander through the Parks & Recreation District parcel.
In addition to helping implement the EEMP Grant, the VCTA will be helping to implement the trails and pathways called for in the County's Trails Master Plan for Valley Center. A copy of the County's Trails Master Plan is at the Valley Center Branch Library.
The design, purchase and installation of the planting and irrigation system will be covered by a new contract to be led by the county in September 2009 after the road widening project is completed. It is now anticipated that the road widening will be completed in the fall of 2009, and the trail/pathway and median landscaping as well as irrigation will then be added. That construction is expected to be completed in early 2010.
The planned "Heritage Trail" is just the beginning of our trail and pathway system. Some of the newly added potential trails/pathways will meander through some of our valley's most beautiful settings, and connect the community to its schools and resources creating a system that will welcome pedestrians, bicyclists, horses and other non-motorized travelers.
The new map (to be posted soon) shows the trails, pathways, and staging areas recommended by the Valley Center Community Planning Group during 2008 and approved by the County Board of Supervisors.
The VCTA has its first priority to help the county to acquire voluntary easements for a staging area and trail branching off Heritage Trail along Keys Creek for more than a mile into the canyon. Eventually, that trail may extend for six miles, connecting through the canyon along the creek to the future Lilac Ranch project.
Other high priorities include safe trails/pathways to and from our schools and the town center, entry into Daley Ranch from Mirar de Valle, and trails on the western edge of the Rincon Reservation. These, and other map additions are very exciting opportunities for the community and VCTA. It takes a lot of time, effort and money --anything you can do to help is a great community contribution!
Anyone interested in making a donation for the landscaping, irrigation and the trail may contact (or send a check payable to VCTA) to: VCTA Treasurer Lori Jacobs P.O. Box 605, Valley Center, CA 92082 or by phone 760-751-0902, email: o2bridn@sbcglobal.net.
Any individual, business, or organization sympathetic to supporting non-motorized trails in Valley Center may join VCTA by contacting Membership Chair Fred Wollman at 760-518-8545 or fred@fwollman.com.
Annual dues are $10 for students and seniors over 55, and $25 for households or businesses (only one vote per membership please). Reciprocal memberships with Friends of Hellhole Canyon are also available for only $15 in addtion to your VCTA membership. Let's support Valley Center as a community. Thank you!
