Open Space & Resource 10 Conservation The quality of the natural environment determines the quality of life in a community. A healthy system of open space lands, natural resources, and habitat areas will help ensure clean air and water while also providing recreational opportunities and scenic vistas. As the city and the region continue to grow, careful stewardship of environmental, cultural, and agricultural resources in the planning area will be needed, together with a focus on conservation of energy and water to provide a thriving natural environment for future generations. This chapter satisfies the statutory requirements for the General Plan Conservation and Open Space Elements, with measures to protect and enhance open space, natural habitat, and biological and cultural resources and strategies to promote the wise use of energy and water while minimizing waste. Urban open spaces are addressed in the Land Use and Community Character and the Parks and Public Services Elements. Air and water quality are addressed in Environmental Justice Element, and historic resources are addressed in the Land Use and Community Character Element. ensure continued access to valuable areas for ecolog- Open Space Preservation ical health, natural hazard mitigation, outdoor rec- and Access reation, and education. Fostering connectivity along key wildlife migration corridors will further support Open space is a critically important resource for the environmental resilience. Some of the regional open health and success of any city. Access to open space spaces that are the most prominent and valuable to for recreation provides residents with opportunities Moreno Valley are described below. for physical activity and exposure to the natural environment, leading to a richer quality of life and Box Springs Mountain Reserve a healthier community. Open space also provides The Box Springs Mountain Reserve, at the northwest important habitat for local plants and animals and corner of Moreno Valley, is owned and operated by allows for the natural recharge of groundwater, Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space contributing to a healthy local ecosystem, and desig- District. The Reserve consists of three noncontiguous Box Springs Mountain Reserve nating areas that require special management due to land areas, two of which are within the City’s sphere hazardous conditions as open space where develop- of influence. The 3,400-acre park includes equestrian ment is restricted serves to protect public health and and hiking trails that connect to the City trail system safety. These might include flood-prone areas, areas and allow residents of Moreno Valley to enjoy its of unstable soil, watersheds, earthquake fault zones, natural resources. Guided hikes to the iconic “M” on areas of high wildland fire risk, and areas required for Box Springs Mountain are available. the protection of water quality. Lake Perris State Recreation Area There are over 6,700 acres of regional open space and conservation land in the planning area, including Built in 1973 as the southernmost reservoir of 2,700 acres within the City limit. For Moreno Valley, the California Water Project, Lake Perris State open space land can be classified into several catego- Recreation Area is located along the southern edge of ries, depending on the primary purpose for which it Moreno Valley and consists of 8,800 acres, including is used. It includes lands for preservation of natural the 1,800-acre Lake Perris. The Recreation Area con- Lake Perris State Recreation Area resources (e.g. wildlife habitat), production of resources tains a major reservoir, natural open space and facil- (e.g. farming), public health and safety (e.g. flood- ities for boating and fishing, picnicking and camping. plains), low-density residential development and out- About 1,600 acres of the property was dedicated to door recreation (e.g. parks). Map OSRC-1 shows open the State of California as mitigation for loss of wildlife space lands within and around the planning area. habitat due to development of the Moreno Valley Ranch Specific Plan. The park provides a myriad of REGIONAL OPEN SPACE recreational activities including fishing, water sports, bird watching, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and Regional open spaces both within and around horseback riding as well as facilities for exhibits, pro- Moreno Valley are integral to preserving a healthy, grams, and cultural education. The Lake Perris State safe city with a strong sense of place. Ensuring that Recreation Area also serves as one of several habitat these open spaces are protected and maintained will reserves for the endangered Stephen’s kangaroo rat. 10-2 | MoVal 2040 GENERAL PLAN Map OSRC-1: Regional Open Space and Trails SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY OSRC-1: Regional Open Space and Trails RIVERSIDE COUNTY Box Springs Mountain Calimesa Reserve 10 Bogart ¦¨§ County Park San Timoteo Canyon Norton Noble Younglove Creek Reserve Park Riverside ·|}60 Beaumont Sycamore Sunnymead Banning Canyon Community Park Park Moreno ¦¨§10 Valley Woodland Ju a Park n B a u t is March ta D Air e ·|}79 A Lake Perris n Reserve za State San Jacinto T Wildlife Area Base ra Recreation Bethune il Area Park Mystic Lake 215 Lake ¦¨§ Perris San Jacinto Wildlife Area Morgan Perris Park Paragon San Jacinto Motte Park River Park Rimrock Reserve Existing Trails Major Highways San Jacinto Parks, Recreation & Open Space Major Roads Prime Farmland Railroads Farmland of Local Importance City of Moreno Valley Maze Stone Park Williamson Act Parcels Sphere of Influence Perris 0 1 2 4 Miles San Jacinto Wildlife Area CitiesValley 74 UV WaterAirport Data Source: City of Moreno Valley, 2019; Riverside County GIS, 2019; Dyett & Bhatia, 2020. Menifee Sources: Esri, USGS, NOAA UV74 San Jacinto Wildlife Area and animal species that have been classified as rare, production in the state. An additional 9,689 acres of sensitive, threatened, or endangered. land in the planning area is classified as farmland of The San Jacinto Wildlife Area in the southeastern local importance, defined as important to the local corner of the planning area consists of gently sloping Motte Rimrock Reserve economy. The areas of Prime Farmland and Locally grasslands, sage scrub and natural and man-made The Motte Rimrock Reserve encompasses approxi- Important Farmland are generally concentrated in the wetlands that support migratory birds and resident mately 715 acres to the south of the city at the western eastern portion of the planning area, as shown in Map wildlife. Bird watching and hunting are popular edge of Perris Valley. The private ecological reserve OSRC-1. Within the City limit, Locally Important activities. The area encompasses approximately and biological field station protects critical habitat Farmland in the southern portion of the city has been 19,000 acres, with 900 acres of restored wetlands and for a variety of animals, including two federally listed converted to urban uses. offers wildlife viewing, hunting, field trips for school species and ten more rare animal species. The park children, and a field trails area for dog training. The is visited by high school and university students for property was designated as a wildlife area by the Habitat Conservation and educational research. Fish and Game Commission in 1982. In the follow- Species Protection ing years, areas within the wildlife area have been The Motte Rimrock Reserve is affiliated with the altered to enhance and enlarge wetland habitats for University of California, Riverside. This ecolog- Biological resources include not only the plants, trees, conservation and for native animal species. The area ical reserve and biological field station is located animals, fish, birds, and microorganisms present in provides habitat to a diverse range of wildlife includ- on a small plateau overlooking the Perris Valley in the urban and natural environment around us, but ing waterfowl, wading birds, and quail. Some of the west-central Riverside County. This is the smallest of also the water, soil, habitats, and ecosystems that adjoining property is owned by private organizations the SKR Reserves totaling approximately 630 acres. make up the ecological community in which we live. and dedicated to hunting and wildlife conservation. The richer the diversity of life around us, the greater AGRICULTURE the opportunity for healthy living, economic develop- San Timoteo Canyon Park ment, and adaptive responses to new challenges such San Timoteo Canyon Park is located east of the City’s The area around Moreno Valley has a long history as climate change. sphere of influence along the north side of State Route of agricultural use dating back to the 19th Century, 60. The park is owned and operated by the Riverside although the viability of farming has diminished over Moreno Valley and the surrounding area is home County Regional Park and Open Space District, time with the high cost of water and the rising cost of to a diverse range of important plant and animal with some areas – including the Badlands Landfill – land. Today there are few farms in the planning area species. Many of the open spaces in and around the jointly owned and operated with Riverside County and ongoing agricultural activities are generally lim- planning area house unique and endangered species, Waste Management District. ited to grazing on rural residential lands. Nevertheless, which are commonly referred to as special-status approximately 157 acres of land within the planning species and given protection under federal and