Pacifica Riptide

Parks Conservancy: Volunteer in Pacifica's Three National Parks

PARKS CONSERVANCY 

Explore internship and volunteer opportunities year-round in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), which includes Pacifica's three national parks (Mori Point, Milagra Ridge, and Sweeney Ridge) plus Ocean Beach, The Presidio, and Muir Woods.

Alert: Bullies Terrorize Dog Walkers @ Mori Point

To all of you who enjoy this beautiful town's outdoor treasures by biking, hiking, walking the dog, surfing, or just strolling the beach: How many times have you been forced to go another way, or have your pet attacked by an off-leash aggressive dog, or been screamed at by some disrespectful punks for commenting about the leash law ?

There was a severe example of this recently at Mori Point. A woman walking her dog on leash was accosted by four young thugs who screamed obscenities at her, threatened her small dog with their large off-leash pit bull, and laughed at this woman's terror.

After I intervened, which caused them to turn their wrath away from the woman and onto me, she had a chance to escape down the stairs. These punks came after me, forcing me to back down the trail and run for safety.

Rather than confront such bullies, call Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and report these situations. The direct line to the park ranger dispatch line is 415-561-5505. The ranger in charge of our area is Officer Durham and his direct line is 415-561-5190.

Instead of risking your life and your pet's life, call these numbers and report what is going on. Try safely to get good descriptions or pictures so we can help make our town safer for all of us.

Name Withheld

Winter Break: Sunny Days @ Mori Point GGNRA

Paul Donahue photos

Pacifica's Mori Point in the News

Urban Outings: Mori Point

Rashad Sisemore, San Francisco Chronicle

Uncle Sam Needs You: National Parks in Pacifica Seek Volunteers

CLICK TO FRIEND OUR NATIONAL PARKS

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