Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves
c/o 13030 Birch Lane,
Poway, CA92064
President: Carol Crafts
Vice President: Gardner Grady
Secretary: Karen Larsen Gordon
Treasurer: Terry Callan
President’s Report:
Congratulations to Gardner Grady, our Vice-President, for being selected County Parks Volunteer of the Month.
Congratulations to Board Member, Ann Tipps, who is now a Health Sciences Clinical Professor, a Full Professor at U.C.S.D.
Farewell to Cory Linder as he leaves our County Parks and Recreation Dept. for another position.
Read more as found in the Dept. of Parks and Recreation’s publication, Dispatch, reprinted below. Also, look at the two web sites listed. We have been blessed with a cooler than usual summer so I hope you have been able to get out and visit our park. Did you get to the Movie in our Park? It was a fun evening.
The City of Poway will be having a parade on the 7th of September thanks to a group of concerned citizens and the Rotary Club. The Friends of Goodan Ranch & Sycamore Canyon are not only having a small group of participants but is also a sponsor. “I Love a Fit Poway” is the appropriate parade theme for a park that allows equestrians, mountain bikers, bird watchers and hikers to enjoy its open spaces 365 days of the year, unless it is, or has been, raining.
The Draft Sycamore Canyon Goodan Ranch Preserve Resource Management Plan is available at: http://www.san-diego.ca.us/parks/managementplans.html
Minutes:
Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves met on August 5, 2013.
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM with Carol Crafts, Nancy Ujazdowski, Phoenix Von Hendy, Terry Callan, and DeAnne Erickson.
We were pleased that the new infra-red camera has arrived and that Phoenix will deliver it to the Rangers soon.
The Movie in The Park which took place July 13th was not well attended.
Phoenix report that the Poway City council has voted to raise the speed limit on Sycamore Canyon Road from 35 to 40 miles per hour. Concern was expressed by our group for the dangerous conditions that exist on this road, no shoulders, blind turns and many equestrians and bicycles.
We discussed participating in the Poway Parade which we had already voted to financially support.
We have also voted to participate in the publication of a new CINCH (Council Interpreting North County History) brochure featuring many North County Historical Societies.
Carol will host the owl program at the Visitor Center at 11 AM Sept. 28th.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Next Meeting: Nov 4, 2013 at 7 pm Poway Coco’s.
Remembering
Sue Adams
In 1988 I moved to Indio, CA with my husband. We quickly became involved with The Living Desert, where Sue Adams was Curator of Education. Whether studying plate tectonics, flora and fauna of the desert or learning how to lead a group of visitors, Sue was a wealth of knowledge. She was also an artist and her renderings of feathers were incredibly realistic. Sue’s illustrations can be found in “Nature Guide to the Mountains of Southern California by car & on foot” and in “Trees and Gardens of Balboa Park”. In 1997 as my husband and I prepared to move “over the mountains,” Sue surprised me when I told her of our finding a new home near Goodan Ranch. “That was my grandparents ranch” she said. It made the sadness of leaving a wonderful friend easier as it seemed we were returning to her family. Through Sue, we were able to meet many of her relatives, including Uncle Doug and his wife Eunice, and cousin Mary Elena. What a joy it was to walk with them over the grounds they so clearly loved. Sue died on March 27, 2013 after a valiant struggle with cancer. I look forward to more walks with her family in the coming years.
Carol
Did you know?
D.P.R. Dispatch August –September 2013
Farewell Cory Linder!
Cory Linder officially started with the County in February of 1989. However, prior to that he was an intern for two semesters in the Development Division and then was a provisional employee for six months. Long story short, he has worked for DPR for 24 years.
So where is he going? He has accepted a position with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes as Director of the Recreation and Parks Department. It’s an opportunity that he just cannot pass up. Thank you, Cory, for caring for our parks and recreational activities.
MSCP Land Acquisitions Preserve Open Space
Development Updates
The County Board of Supervisors has given the green light to buy more than 400 acres of open space for the Multiple Species
Conservation Program or MSCP. The program is designed to preserve San Diego County’s natural
wildlife and habitat for future generations. The largest acquisition to create the 800 acre Bottle Peak Preserve
involves 382 acres of land in the area east of Escondido and southwest of Lake Wohlford.
The land to be purchased adjoins 418 acres purchased by The Escondido Creek Conservancy. Located at the
headwaters of Escondido Creek, the acquisition will allow the County to fulfill a vision of watershed-wide
protection along with the Conservancy. The property features high quality southern mixed chaparral and coast
live oak woodland habitats. It will be a shared management project by the County and the Conservancy.
The Board also approved the purchase of 20 acres for the Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve. The land is located
in the Poway area west of State Route 67 and east of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The acquisition
will help create a multi-use trail through the preserve between the cities of Poway and Santee. In turn, that
trail will eventually link with the San Diego River regional trail network.
A separate purchase of 9.3 acres was approved for the Barnett Ranch Preserve in Ramona.
The purchase will offset 6.6 acres of land that will be needed to widen San Vicente Road.
Volunteer Corner
By Cheryl Wegner, Volunteer Coordinator
Gardner Grady’s passion for mountain biking and trail advocacy prompted him to become a volunteer with CountyParks
and Recreation Department several years ago, joining our volunteer patrol team in 2008.
Though he rides and does trail work all over the county, he primarily serves the Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon
Open Space Preserve near his home.
Mr. Grady is a past president of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association, and has attended countless
public meetings in support of mountain biking and non-motorized multi-use trails, including the Parks
Advisory Committee, as a volunteer member. Gardner has led trail work parties over the years, assisting Parks
staff in maintaining multi-use trails around the County.
The San Diego Mountain Bike Association was one of the first organizations to partner with the County Parks
and Recreation Department in the “Adopt A Trail Program.” Their commitment to the Martha’s Grove Trail at
Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon will serve the trails community for years to come.
Beginning Tracking Walks
Join an experienced SDTT Tracker for a FREE easy wildlife tracking walk. Look for tracks, scat, and further evidence that coyotes, bobcats, raccoon, deer, and other wildlife have been in the area! No reservation is necessary. Simply show up at the designated time and location:
First Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at theMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center For information: www.mtrp.org or 619.668.3281
Second Saturday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at the Adobe Ranch House in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
For information: www.sdtt.org or 760.715.4102
E-mail: info@sdtt.org “Tracking Our Native Wildlife”
**************
Dead Birds: Dead less than 24 hours – no obvious damage – do Not freeze. Call 1-888-551-4636.Weekends: 858-565-5255
Have you found an injured or orphaned bird or mammal inSan Diego County?
Call Project Wildlife at 619-225-9202. See their web site at: projectwildlife.org
******************
Events at Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon:
Over ten miles of trails and service roads open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. Preserve visitors are welcome to visit our new visitor center. Live animals and exhibits on Goodan History, Cedar Fire, Kumeyaay and the MSCP are on display.
Events, hikes and programs start at various Preserve locations. Some require a one mile walk from Goodan Ranch staging to the Visitor Center. ALLOW ½ HOUR TO PARK AND WALK TO THE VISITOR’S CENTER. Please check descriptions closely. No vehicular traffic is permitted in the Preserve. Transportation for those with disabilities can be arranged, by calling the ranger at (858)513-4737. Goodan staging area accessed fromPoway Rd. east on Garden Rd, then south on Sycamore Canyon Rd. Sycamore Canyon Rd. ends at parking lot.
Highway 67 staging area accessed through SOUTHBOUND Highway 67 only, half a mile south of Scripps Poway Parkway.
All events are free. For information or to make event reservations call (858)513-4737 or emailJustin.Gibbons@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Saturday, September 28th, 2013 11:00am
Owl Program. Join Carol Crafts of Project Wildlife and her owl friends and see these amazing animals up close and personal. Learn all there is to know about these amazing nighttime raptors and their incredible adaptations. We will have at least one local native species for guests to see as well as owl pellets to dissect. This is sure to be a fun 1 hr program for all ages so make a day of it and come out. Space is limited to 50 so please call (858)513-4737 for reservations.
Program will be held at Preserve Visitor Center.
OCTOBER
Friday, October 18th, 2013 Sunset
Star Party. Join SDAA volunteer astronomers and County Parks for a night with the stars. Come experience the chance to view our galaxy using the same technology used by the professionals. Viewers get a chance to see many amazing sights, depending on time of year, that they wouldn’t normally see without the trained eye of the astronomers. Come prepared to be amazed.
Program will be held at Highway 67 Staging area accessed Highway 67 southbound only. RAIN or CLOUDS CANCEL.
Saturday, October 26th, 2013 11:00am
Bats Alive!!! Bats play an important role in insect control, and have evolved intriguing behaviors and adaptations to be successful hunters of the night. Join bat rehabilitation expert, Cindy Meyers, for an enjoyable presentation with amazing live bats, and learn about the ecological benefits these small creatures provide. County Parks is proud to partner with dedicated volunteers from Project Wildlife and provide this informative natural resource 1 hr program, which fosters stewardship of our regional wildlife and natural resources. Space is limited to 50 so please call (858)513-4737 for reservations. Guests will park at Goodan Staging area and must walk approximately 1 mile down to visitor center.
Program will be held at Preserve Visitor Center.
NOVEMBER
Friday, November 1st, 2013 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Star Hike. Join George Varga for a unique and enlightening star gazing hike. Guests will be shownvarious star clusters visible with the naked eye while enjoying beautiful Sycamore Canyon at night. George is very knowledgeable in his field and is sure to keep you looking to the stars. Guests will hike down to visitor center and back and are encouraged to bring binoculars as well as sturdy shoes and warm clothes. Space is limited to 30 so please call (858)513-4737for reservations. Rain or Cloudy conditions cancel.
Program will start at Goodan Staging Area.
Friday, November 15th, 2013 Sunset
Star Party.
See Oct. 18th.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
City_____________State__________ Zip______
Phone__________________________________
Email___________________________________
____$20 Senior 62 plus
____$20 Student
____$25 Individual
____$40 Family
____$100 Patron
___ $250 Corporate ____$1000 Lifetime
PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO “FRIENDS OF GOODAN RANCH”
AND SEND IT TO: MEMBERSHIPS
13030 Birch Lane,
Poway, CA 92064
JOIN NOW FOR 2013
All Memberships are from 1 January of each year.
Our book, Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon; A history of the land, then and now, is now available for
$5.00 (includes tax); add $2.25 for postage
Contact rcrafts@cox.net or call 858.486.0919