Politics & Government

County Supervisors Approve New Trail Proposal for Ramona Grasslands

The proposed trail would be an extension of the currently open 4-mile Oak Country trail and allow hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to explore more of the unique preserve.

A 5.5-mile trail system in the Ramona Grasslands is closer to reality after the Board of Supervisors Wednesday approved the Ramona Grasslands Preserve project.

The proposed trail would be an extension of the currently open 4-mile Oak Country trail and allow hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to explore more of the unique preserve.

The Ramona Grasslands Preserve is located within the community of Ramona and is approximately 3,490 acres. It includes Santa Maria Creek, a pond, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands and vernal pools. Rare animals such as the endangered Stephen’s kangaroo rat and fairy shrimp can also be found there and eagles, hawks and falcons winter at the preserve. 

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The native grasses and vernal pools at the Ramona Grasslands were once common in our region but development has done away with about 90 percent of Southern California’s grasslands. Supervisor Dianne Jacob told board members it’s important to preserve the natural grasslands and also allow people to enjoy it.   

“This is a really critical trail segment and extremely important to the community of Ramona,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “Residents in Ramona and the surrounding areas will greatly benefit from the expanded trails that they can explore by hiking, biking and horseback.”

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously adopted an environmental study showing the trail project would not cause any significant environmental impacts to the sensitive area. The overall project plan focuses on preserving sensitive habitats while allowing for limited public access with the 5.5-mile trail system, a crossing at Santa Maria Creek, an approximately three-acre parking area for cars and horse trailers, and a viewing pavilion. In addition, two so-called volunteer pads would be built allowing volunteers to live at the site full time in a motor home or RV so they can be onsite 24 hours a day to prevent trespassing and off-trail use.

Funding for the project is still pending but if all goes according to plan, construction of the first phase could begin in the fall of 2014. 


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