Santee Awarded Major Grant for Mast Park Upgrade

Santee's Mast Park

The City of Santee has been awarded a grant of $1.2 million to aid in the redevelopment of Mast Park, including drainage, stormwater treatment and habitat improvements.

The grant reinforces the city’s commitment  be an integral part of a 52-mile-long river park and trail system envisioned to someday parallel the San Diego River from the Cuyamaca Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

The funding was approved Nov. 13 by a unanimous vote of the board of the San Diego River Conservancy, a state agency charged with enhancing the river’s ecology and to help create the crest-to-coast trail. The grant funds originated from Proposition 1, a ballot measure approved by voters in November 2014 to pay for water infrastructure and ecosystem and watershed protection projects.

The grant awarded to Santee will supplement city funding earmarked for a $7.2 million project to upgrade facilities, parking and other amenities covering 31 acres of the park on the north side of the San Diego River. The city plans to begin engineering and design work in 2016.

The grant funds are specifically targeted to pay for water quality, habitat and public access improvements. These include:

·        Replanting 13 acres at the east end of the park with low-growing native vegetation to create a stormwater infiltration area;

·        Creating a dry retention basin to capture and treat stormwater runoff that enters the park from adjacent residential uses;

·        Re-grading the park to create a system of bioswales and vegetated creek beds to capture runoff, reduce flooding and improve drainage;  

·        Removing an existing asphalt path and replacing it with a pervious, decomposed granite surface;

·        Moving the trail away from the river and planting a vegetated buffer consisting of 5.1 acres of riparian habitat;

Girl Scouts Paint New Mural at Mast Park

Park and Landscape Supervisor Annette Saul views the new mural

Santee's Mast Park is a more enchanting place today, thanks to Girl Scouts from Troop 6170.

Over the July 25 weekend, the young ladies painted a nature-themed mural on a bridge support beneath the Carlton Oaks Boulevard bridge. 

The Girl Scouts used funds from cookie sales to pay for the painting supplies. They painted the artwork under the expert guidance of professional muralist Thom Guerra and troop leader Christy Knight. 

The same Girl Scout troop has been beautifying the park for the past six years. The scouts planted trees during SanTree Fest, and they would routinely replant flowers beneath the park’s entrance sign until it recently collapsed.

The underpass, which is the transition between the main park and the Mast Park West recreational trail, has other murals previously painted by local Boy Scout troops under Guerra's supervision.

Help Us Solve Copper Wire Thefts

City officials today asked for the public’s help in solving a spate of copper wire thefts over the past month in the Town Center and Mission Creek areas of Santee.

Since mid-December, thieves have struck at 13 locations, including Town Center Community Park and Mast Park.  The thefts have resulted in non-functioning lights  on walkways, parks and street lights.

The replacement costs and repairs will cost the city approximately $48,000.

The city is attempting to retrofit the electrical boxes to make them less vulnerable to thieves, but the repairs will require time and patience from the public.  

Anyone with information about the thefts, or if you see something suspicious, contact Det. Carl Miller at the Santee Sheriff’s Station at (619) 956-4037.

Mast Park Trail Wins Statewide Award

The California Trails Conference Foundation this week announced it will honor the city of Santee with a 2011 project construction Merit Award for the Mast Park West Trail.

Karen Beth Pearlman and her dog, Chloe, enjoy a
walk along the Mast Park West trail

Since its completion in the spring of 2011, the relatively easy trail with a decomposed granite surface has become a favorite of walkers, bicyclists and joggers. It makes for a pleasant stroll through a riverfront forest, called riparian habitat, that attracts many birds and other wildlife. The experience is further enhanced by benches, views of ponds, and nature interpretive signs.

The half-mile-long trail, which crosses 43.2-acre habitat reserve along the San Diego River, was constructed between October 2010 and April 2011. The city completed the project on schedule and under budget despite an unusually wet winter and restrictions on construction to accommodate the nesting season for the least Bell’s vireo, an endangered songbird.

The city constructed the trail with funds provided by a state River Parkways (Proposition 50) grant.

The trail is an important link in the city’s plan to complete a continuous path along the 4.5 miles of the San Diego River that bisect Santee. It is also part of a proposed 52-mile-long river trail and parkway that would connect the mountains to the sea.

The award will be presented to the city on April 19 at the 2012 California Trails and Greenway Conference in Woodland Hills.

The foundation, which is based in San Juan Capistrano, promotes the development of non-motorized trails in California.  It organizes an annual conference, the California Trails Day event, and awards grants to non-profit organizations.

Preferred Alternative Set for Mast Park Plan

A design proposal that would serve as a blueprint for redeveloping Mast Park is ready to be reviewed by the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee and ultimately the City Council.

Award-winning landscape architect Glen Schmidt, who earlier this summer drafted three design options, presented the preferred alternative at a public workshop held Oct. 6 at City Hall.

Highlights of the refined design proposal include:

• Intalling a new restroom that is water and energy efficient
• Paving a nine-tenths-of-a-mile-long concrete loop trail
• Creating 45 new parking spaces along the park's northern border
• Adding two boardwalks that would offer close-up views of the river
• Erecting a new entry sign and orientation signs
• Creating dry creek beds that would serve as natural play areas for kids and also divert runoff into a bioswale that would reduce pollution reaching the river
• Adding three new shaded picnic pavilions, including a large gazebo suitable for weddings or family reunions
• Cluster new exercise apparatuses at a fitness station

In keeping with the community's wishes to retain the park's natural, rustic appearance, the design calls for keeping the park's mature trees and adding low-growing native plants.  The basketball court would remain, as would the off-leash dog park, which would be divided into separate areas for small and large dogs.

Schmidt has also proposed some unique features, such as so-called "discovery nodes" where visitors would learn about wildlife along the river, Kumeyaay Indian culture or Santee's pioneer history.

The proposed master plan will be presented to the Santee Park and Recreation Committee and the City Council in November.

Funding for the $117,000 project has been assisted by a Healthy Communities Planning Grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.  The grant is a component of Health Works, a countywide initiative promoting wellness and addressing the nationwide obesity epidemic.

A short video explaining key aspects of the master plan can be viewed on YouTube.

Community Meeting to Advance Mast Park Master Plan Effort

The city of Santee is seeking public comment on a preferred alternative design that would serve as a blueprint for future improvements at Mast Park.

A public workshop to discuss the recommended design plan from Schmidt Design Group has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct 6 at the Santee City Hall complex, Building 7, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA  92071.

The workshop is the third public meeting held this year to gather ideas and feedback on the new master plan, which is intended to ensure the park meets the community's long-term needs.

One focus of the plan is to incorporate a health and wellness element into future improvements and to consider new amenities that promote physical activity and improved public health.

Residents at two previous public workshops held in June and July provided valuable feedback that helped to shape the preferred alternative, which calls for:

• Retaining the park's natural, rustic character;
• Installing additional picnic shelters to accommodate larger gatherings;
• Replacing the restroom with one that is water and energy efficient;
• Dividing the 2.4-acre off-leash dog park into two zones, one for small dogs and another for big dogs;
• Constructing new picnic pavilions, creating an area for fitness equipment, installing a 1-mile-long loop trail; and
• Adding 60 new parking spaces.

The Santee City Council is expected to review and adopt a final master plan design later this year or early 2012.

Funding for this project has been assisted by a Healthy Communities Planning Grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.  The grant is a component of Healthy Works, a countywide initiative promoting wellness and addressing the nationwide obesity epidemic.

Healthy Works is administered by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Aspiring Eagle Scouts Spruce Up Mast Park



A key pedestrian corridor linking the two halves of Mast Park has been made more user friendly and attractive, thanks to the efforts of two Eagle Scout candidates from La Mesa Troop 51.

One of the finished mural panels under Carlton Hills Blvd.

The sandy footpath under the Carlton Hills Blvd. bridge used to be a grungy and uninviting route for folks crossing between Mast Park and a recently completed nature trail along the park’s western half. Not anymore.

Today, the underpass trail passes by a colorful mural depicting nature scenes that echo the park’s location along the San Diego River. Also, a new foot bridge crosses a dirt channel that used to be a barrier for some hikers, especially when it contained storm water.  Both improvements are the result of civic-minded Boy Scouts and the organizing talents of Sue Richardson, Santee’s Recreation Services Manager and committee member with Troop 51.

 

Chance Kawar, an aspiring Eagle Scout, orchestrated the mural project that transformed the concrete bridge supports underneath Carlton Hills Blvd.



Kawar solicited donations of paint and supplies from area businesses and recruited fellow scouts and volunteers from the Friends of Santee's River Park to help with the painting. The mural was conceived and sketched by El Cajon artist Thom Guerra.


Earlier in August, Life Scout Ryan Widiaja, who is also working towards the Eagle rank, gathered donations and organized a construction crew comprised of fellow scouts to build a foot bridge that connects to the nature trail at Mast Park West.



Earlier this year, scouts from Troop 51 installed information kiosks at Mast and Town Center Community Parks and San Diego River Trail markers throughout Mast Park. Additional projects are planned for the future.

 

Scouts from Troop and Pack 51. (Photo courtesy of Jay Renard)





Ryan Widjaja (center) and other
scouts from Troop 51
working on the foot bridge.
(Photo courtesy of Rob Hawk)











Carlton Hills Blvd. underpass before the project.



 

Mast Park Master Plan Advances

For the second time this year, the city reached out to the public to provide feedback on a series of proposed designs aimed at making Mast Park more enjoyable and safe for families.

A public workshop was held Aug. 17 at City Hall to review three design schemes developed by Schmidt Design Group, an award-winning landscape architectural firm hired by the city. (In photo: Glen Schmidt, landscape architect)

One alternative favored by attendees would increase parking, but still retain the rustic, open space character of the park. A paved loop trail nearly a mile long would circle the park. The off-leash dog park would be divided into two sections, one for small dogs and the other for big dogs. The public asked the city to consider a more stable surface, such as decomposed granite, for the dog park. A new restroom and additional picnic pavilions suitable for family gatherings would be constructed. Play areas for children would be improved and expanded. Exercise equipment for teens and adults would be added, and a walkway to connect the park to the San Diego River was proposed.

Funding for this project has been assisted by a Healthy Communities Planning Grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.  The grant is a component of Healthy Works^SM, a countywide initiative promoting wellness and addressing the nationwide obesity epidemic.

To view a video summary of the public workshop click HERE.  

Second Public Workshop Scheduled for Mast Park Master Plan Effort

The city of Santee is seeking public comment on a draft master plan to guide the future redevelopment of Mast Park, the city's oldest and, at 95 acres, its largest park.

A public workshop to discuss three design alternatives developed for the park by Schmidt Design Group has been scheduled for 7 p.m. August 17 at the City Hall complex, Building 7, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071.

The workshop will be the second public meeting held to gather the public's ideas and feedback on the new master plan, which is intended to ensure the park meets the long-term needs of the community.

One focus of the plan is to incorporate a health and wellness element into future improvements and to consider new amenities that promote physical activity and improved public health.

Residents who attended the initial public meeting on June 2 offered numerous suggestions for improving the park, including:

• Installing additional picnic shelters to accommodate larger gatherings;
• Retain the rustic feel of the park;
• Add new features that appeal to adolescents and teens, such as a rock climbing wall;
• Divide the 2.4 acre off-leash dog park into two zones, one for small dogs and another for big dogs; and
• Consider alternative designs that would improve parking and safety.

Since that meeting, Schmidt Design Group has refind the ideas into three draft conceptual plans that, once narrowed to a preferred altnerative, would provide the city with a blueprint for redeveloping the park should funds become available.

The Santee City Council is expected to review and adopt a final master plan design later this year or in early 2012.

Funding for this project has been assisted by a Healthy Communities Planning Grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.  The grant is a component of Healthy Works^SM, a countywide initiative promoting wellness and addressing the nationwide obesity epidemic.

Healthy Works^SM is administered by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Caterpillars – Look But Don’t Touch

The city of Santee today (June 30) posted warnings at Town Center Community Park and Mast Park urging the public to avoid contact with caterpillars.

Officials took this action after two parents in as many weeks reported that their children had experienced adverse physical reactions after touching caterpillars.

The incident that occurred today involved a toddler who experienced a toxic reaction that included a rash and difficulty breathing. The symptoms were severe enough that the parent took the child to the hospital.

Park officials aren’t sure which specific types or colors of caterpillars may be responsible for the toxic reactions, so they are urging the public to avoid touching all species. 

Senior Club Hikes New Nature Trail

Members of the Santee Seniors’ Club took a guided tour of the new Mast Park West nature trail on Monday morning (June 6).  The weather was sunny and mild as the group hiked along the trail, which extends for about a half-mile from Carlton Hills Blvd. to the Carlton Oaks golf course. The club’s next “Out and About” outing will be a July 12  trip to the Coronado ferry terminal. If you’d like to participate, email recreation coordinator Judi Callicott at jcallic@ci.santee.ca.us or call her at (619) 258-4100 ext. 257.

Fighting the Bite

If you spotted a blue helicopter hovering over Santee today (June 1), you were seeing a contractor for the county dropping a larvae-killing pesticide to combat mosquitoes that reproduce in the ponds of San Diego River.

The pesticide, two types of bacteria that are mixed with corn meal and pressed into granules, is not harmful to humans or wildlife, and doesn’t affect any insects except mosquito larvae, county officials said. The objective is to reduce the mosquito population as well as the risk of West Nile virus.

Before the helicopter arrives, County Vector Control officials drive to the mosquito-prone areas to warn hikers and pedestrians so they can avoid being near the drop zones when the anti-mosquito granules are released, she said.

Each month during mosquito breeding season, the county commission’s helicopters drop the anti-larvae agents at 43 locations countywide, including four drop sites in Santee, in a single day.

Vector control agents are scheduled to return to Santee on June 7. They’ll be using a boat to spray a liquid larvicide at the ponds at Mast Park West, where, in the past, mosquitoes have been especially prolific.

More information is available on the County website.

Mast Park Master Plan Underway

The city of Santee needs your input on how to make Mast Park a more engaging place that fosters a healthy lifestyle.
 
To gather your ideas, the city has scheduled a public workshop for 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 in Building 7 at the City Hall complex, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Bldg. 7.

We’re inviting all Santee residents to attend this brainstorming session and tell us what improvements they’d like to see at this park, which is the city’s oldest and largest.
 
The effort to refresh Mast Park by drafting a new master plan is aided by a Healthy Community Planning Grant the city has received from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).  The grant funds originated from the federal government to combat obesity and foster healthier communities in America. The goal of the grant is to redevelop the park so that it fosters health-improving activities and to incorporate this goal as a planning objective in future parks.
 
Although the park encompasses about 100 acres, the updated master plan will focus on the 26.5 acres on the north side of the San Diego River east of Carlton Hills Boulevard and will serve as a comprehensive guide for the development of facilities to meet the needs of the community over the next 20 years.
 
The new master plan could pave the way for a variety of park improvements such as picnic pavilions, exercise equipment, better signage, improved walking trails and drought-tolerant landscaping. The latest addition to the park is a fenced-in off-leash dog area, which is currently under construction.
 
Improving the riverfront trail will also be a priority. Mast Park is a key link in the regional San Diego River Park Master Plan, which envisions a park and trail system along the river’s 52-mile course from the mountains to the sea.
 
Written comments may also be e-mailed to TRodgers@ci.santee.ca.us or mailed to the Santee Community Services Department, 10601 Magnolia Ave. Santee, CA  92071. Questions can be directed to project manager Terry Rodgers at (619) 258-4100 ext. 127.

Microchip Your Pet This Sunday

Pet owners can have microchips imbedded into their pets, obtain rabies vaccinations and buy dog licenses at a special clinic scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at Mast Park in Santee, 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd.

Microchips, which are available for a $20 fee, are invaluable in reuniting lost animals with their owners. Rabies vaccinations for dogs at least 4 months old and cats at least 3 months old can be purchased for $6.

The County Department of Animal Services is offering to waive late fees for dog owners who renew annual licenses that have lapsed and for those licensing their pet for the first time.

These services are available only to residents of unincorporated areas of San Diego County and those from the following six cities that have a contract with the Animal Services Dept.: San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Santee.

Additional information is available from Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 or on the web at http://www.sddac.com/.

End of the Trail

A barrier has been erected at the western end of the Mast Park West trail to deter bicyclists and pedestrians from using an unimproved dirt path along the San Diego River. Operators of the Carlton Oaks golf course, who fully support the eventual extension of the trail, said the barrier was necessary for liability reasons and to keep the public from being harmed by errant golf balls.

Scouts Improve Mast Park Trail Connection

Photo courtesy of Gary Strawn,
San Diego River Foundation volunteer

A group of about 20 Girl Scouts and other youthful volunteers from Santee toiled for nearly two hours the morning of May 14 to place indigenous river rocks along the Carlton Hills Drive/San Diego River underpass.

The rock markers designate the underpass as the connection between the Mast Park riverfront trail and the new pedestrian and bicycle trail at Mast Park West.

The volunteers, including their adult supervisors, were participating in the San Diego River Park’s Youth Day of Service.

More improvements are planned for this trail connection, including additional signage and a proposed mural for the concrete walls of the underpass.

New Trail Dedicated at Mast Park West

Nearly 40 people turned out May 11 for a ceremony dedicating a newly completed half-mile section of the San Diego River Trail at Mast Park West.

Mike Nelson of the San Diego River Conservancy celebrated Santee's partnerships that made the trail possible.

Many stayed after the ceremony for a guided walk led by Shannon Quigley, (center, in white) program coordinator for the San Diego River Park Foundation. Ms. Quigley gave an animated talk about the flora and fauna found along the path, which bisects a 43-acre habitat preserve the city obtained in 2009 from The Environmental Trust.

The trail, which cost $405,586 to construct and took six months to complete, was funded by a state grant obtained on behalf of Santee by the San Diego River Conservancy, a state agency.

The new trail connects with about 2.5 miles of existing riverfront paths in Santee.

Pedestrians and bicyclists can now travel along the San Diego River from the city’s western boundary at Carlton Oaks golf course to the center of the city at Town Center Community Park.



Four new interpretive signs provide
information about the River's natural habitat.



Jordan Richardson of Troop 51 displayed
one of the markers along the trail.
The medallions were donated by the
San Diego River Park Foundation
and were installed as part of
Richardson's Eagle Scout project.