Mission Statement:
The Valley Center Trails Association is dedicated to connecting the community by advocating for the development of multi-use trails and footpaths and promoting their use.
Our Goals:
• Establish a series of safe non-motorized pathways and multi-use trails throughout Valley Center.
• Preserve open spaces for future generations to enjoy.
• Link trails and pathways to adjacent communities.
• Encourage private developers to include public trails / pathways within their developments linked to proposed and existing pathways and trails. These trails / pathways must allow access for everyone.
• Improve our environment and reduce air pollution by reducing motorized travel within Valley Center.
Click to learn more about VCTA
Your Input Matters!
Help Shape the Future of Valley Center’s Parks
San Diego County is asking for your input as it begins planning the future of two important community parks: Star Valley Park and Butterfield Trails Ranch. Your voice can help shape these parks for current and future generations.
Please note: This is a NEW survey! If you have completed a previous survey about Valley Center’s parks, we encourage you to complete this one as well. You do not need to be a Valley Center resident to participate.
Please take a few minutes to share your input and spread the word to friends, family, and neighbors. Community participation is important as the County begins its planning and public outreach process.
Two Parks, Two Important Visions
Star Valley Park — Celebrating Our Equestrian Community and Western Heritage
Star Valley Park is home to the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo and the Valley Center Vaqueros. This property was purchased to support Valley Center’s equestrian community, preserve our Western heritage, and reflect the rural character and lifestyle that make our community unique.
Butterfield Trails Ranch — A Natural Park for Everyone
Community support favors a natural park that preserves open space and provides opportunities for people to enjoy nature and the outdoors. The vision is to maintain its natural character rather than develop it as a sports-based park.
Take the Valley Center Community Needs Assessment Survey
Your participation will help the County better understand community awareness, identify effective ways to reach the public, and determine who else should be included in the upcoming outreach process.
Please complete the survey and help ensure our community’s voices are heard!
Attend an Upcoming Community Workshop
The County Department of Parks and Recreation is offering opportunities to participate in the planning process for both parks.
In-Person Workshop
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Valley Center Community Hall, Lower Meeting Room
Online Workshop
Date: Thursday, December 3
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Format: Online webinar
Register for the Online Community Workshop
Help Shape the Future of Our Community
Valley Center’s parks are an important part of our community’s identity, heritage, and quality of life. By participating in the survey and upcoming workshops, you can help the County understand what matters most to the people who use, enjoy, and value these lands.
Please take the survey, attend a workshop, and encourage others to participate. Our community’s future parks deserve our input!
For more information visit the County’s Engage page.
Our Wish List for 2026:
YOU as a VCTrails Member!
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
Dear Members and Friends,
We invite you to support VC Trails!
As our town grows, our group of dedicated volunteers works to make sure there are trails, open spaces, preserves, parks for everyone to enjoy. We do this year after year, and we need your support as members and participants to make our vision of connecting our community with a network of multi-use trails a reality.
Our accomplishments include: working to acquire Butterfield Trails County Park and promoting our vision to keep it natural; working to save public access to Rancho Lilac Preserve; working to acquire Keys Creek Preserve; the Heritage Trail along Valley Center Road and its upcoming extension along Cole Grade Road. All of these projects require attending County and Planning meetings, advocacy and rallying community support.
Along the way, we host the Western Days 5k, hikes and family friendly events with the goal of having fun together and building a stronger community in Valley Center.
What does the future hold? More growth in Valley Center is a given, and if we are going to have more trails, we will need to stay active, work with developers and make sure public trails are included in developments and road widenings.
Let’s do it together! It all starts with membership, beginning at only $10. Please visit our webpage often for more information on our projects, activities and membership opportunities.
Thank you,
VC Trails Team
Valley Center Trails Association is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the creation of non-motorized trails and pathways in Valley Center.
Membership in the Valley Center Trails Association is open to all individuals/households and businesses in the community. A modest membership fee is charged. Please support our efforts with your Membership or Donation. Thank you!