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Rancho Corral de Tierra Officially Transferred to GGNRA

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) announces the transfer of 3,800-acre Rancho Corral de Tierra from Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to the National Park Service (NPS). The new park is off Highway 1, south of Devil’s Slide between Montara and El Granada, under the shadow of Montara Mountain. The property features rolling hills, hidden vales, and coastal vistas.

“We are pleased that Congress has provided funding to complete the purchase
of Rancho Corral de Tierra,” says GGNRA Superintendent Frank Dean. “This magnificent parcel adds to the region’s protected open space,  and helps extend existing national parklands on Milagra Ridge and Sweeney Ridge southward in the coastside of San Mateo County. Thanks to the vision of POST, this remarkable parcel—and its breathtaking coastal views, ecologically vital watersheds, and miles of public trails—were protected and preserved for all. We look forward to continuing our work with the coastside community in planning for Rancho Corral de Tierra as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.”

One of the largest swaths of undeveloped land on the San Mateo County coast, the rancho once had been envisioned to become a patchwork of private subdivisions, “ranchettes,” and golf links. POST has a history of working with NPS to extend GGNRA down the San Francisco Peninsula. POST President Walter T. Moore says, “I’m thrilled to see Rancho Corral de Tierra officially become part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We are honored to be able to add almost 4,000 more acres of parkland for the public to enjoy. It is a testament to the beauty and ecological significance of this land that it is now a national park.”

Highlights of Rancho Corral de Tierra include:
* Dramatic ascent of 2,000-foot-high Montara Mountain
* Scenic viewshed for California State Highway 1
* Multiuse trail segments for hikers, bikers, and equestrians
* Headwaters of four important watersheds (Martini, Montara, San Vicente,
and Denniston creeks)
* Riparian, coastal scrub, and coastal chaparral habitats supporting
diverse array of animals and plants

Transforming the property into a park is just beginning. In coming months, NPS will work with local communities and public land agencies on the coastside to develop maps and signage for the existing network of trails, and develop a long-term plan for the new national park. Visitors to Rancho Corral de Tierra should be aware that the stables and farms in the area (Ocean View Farms, Cabrillo Farms, Renegade Ranch, Ember Ridge, and Moss Beach Ranch) are working operations. Visitors should not enter these properties or approach the animals without permission.

Pacifica's National Parks: Wildflowers, Coyotes, and Butterflies in Our Backyard

CLICK HERE FOR GGNRA PARK ADVENTURES

Mori Point National Park Hosts Coast Ghosts

PHOTO: BOB PILGRIM

Still Life with Boardwalk @ Mori Point GGNRA

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE: Boardwalk crosses wetlands and ponds at Mori Point GGNRA south of Sharp Park Golf Course. In the distance is the levee (berm) holding back the Pacific Ocean. (Bob Pilgrim photo)

Tom Stienstra: GGNRA Expands Southward

RANCHO CORRAL DE TIERRA

Study: National Parks Benefit Host Communities

A recent study by the National Parks Conservation Association asked how much revenue national parks in California contribute to local communities. The answer is in the millions, from $3 million at Pinnacles National Monument to $83 million at Point Reyes National Seashore. Endorsed by dozens of California businesses and chambers of commerce, the study infers that Pacifica would enjoy, conservatively, $7 million a year. Click link to read the full report: National Treasures as Economic Engines—The Economic Impact of Visitor Spending in California's National Parks http://www.npca.org/pacific/economic_report/

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Mori Point Boardwalk Opens Up National Park

The Mori Point elevated trail (above) and pond overlook are now complete. Thank you for your patience and support these past few months. It’s been a great project, and we’ve enjoyed sharing our time and work with you at beautiful Mori Point. In the next few months, we will install a few more benches and interpretive signage along the trail corridor, but most important, we need volunteers to help plant thousands of native wetland and coastal scrub plants in the areas around the new trail. These plants are essential to the diverse wildlife at Mori Point, providing food and shelter for frogs, snakes, lizards, rabbits, birds, insects, and other critters. If you are interested in helping with planting this winter, click http://www.parksconservancy.org/help/volunteer/habitat-restoration-monitoring/park-stewardship-2.html or contact Price Sheppy at 415-561-3073 or psheppy@parksconservancy.org. (The Mori Team: National Park Service [Golden Gate National Recreation Area--GGNRA], Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and community volunteers like those pictured below)

Rain Delays Mori Point GGNRA Trail Work

Hello, Mori Friends and Neighbors:
 
The storm last week delayed construction, so we’ll be working 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) instead of four. We are also extending our work hours from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (instead of 5:30 p.m.). We will limit loud equipment use during the last hour so as not to disturb our neighbors. On Tuesday, October 27 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Old Mori Road, the back Pollywog Path, and part of the meadow loop (Lishumsha Trail) will be closed, for one day only, as we complete drainage improvements that you’re sure to appreciate all winter long! You still may enter the park at the Upper Trail (by Moose Lodge) and the seawall that day. All project work should be completed and all trails open by mid-November. Thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to seeing you on the trails!

The Mori Planning Team

Mori Point: Pacifica's Own Little National Park

Greetings, Mori Point Friends and Neighbors: Nearly a month has passed since our last update and much has happened!  Work on the Upper Trail was completed a few weeks ago, and the trail is open and ready for you to enjoy. Last week we removed the staging area from the Upper Trail entrance cleaned out a dump-truck load of trash and debris, mulched for erosion control, re-installed directional signs, and placed boulders at the entrance to ensure that motorists do not mistake the trail for a road. The majority of work in the last month has focused on the elevated trail (or boardwalk) between the ponds. Recently, you may have seen that the elevated trail framework is completely in place! Over the last 4 weeks we have installed all the supports and have built two earthen island overlooks/ seating areas. Over the next few weeks all of the decking and hand rails will go in. Next we’ll install the Upper (Meadow) Pond Overlook. From here you’ll be able to watch frogs, snakes, dragonflies and other wildlife visiting the waters. The overlook will include a bench and will be accessible via a gently sloped trail or by stepping up from the boardwalk. During the last week of October we will be cleaning up the project area and getting it ready for its debut. If all goes according to plan you will be able to walk on the new trail before the month is over! Thanks for your patience and support!  We hope you will enjoy the new trail and overlooks. [Susie Bennett for The Mori Point Planning Team]