Publication of Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation MMiissssiioonn TTrraaiillss RR ee gg iioonnaall PP aarrkk NN ee ww ss

Volume 18 Number 2 Spring/Summer 2007

Valued Mission Trails Volunteers Recognized Featured Park Flora Congratulations to our Mission Trails volunteers who were honored at the 12th annual Laurel awards event on Saturday, Febru- ary 3, 2007. Terry Gaughen was One of the most common named Volunteer of the Year for found in the and coastal sage 2006 by the Mission Trails Re- scrub communities throughout gional Park staff. Terry began Mission Trails Regional Park is the volunteering at MTRP back in Laurel Sumac (Malosma laurina). A May of 1993. He has dedicated member of the Sumac most of his volunteer time over the () Family, it was re- past 13 years on the Trail Im- cently taken out of the genus Rhus and provement, Habitat Restoration and Park Beautification Crews; he has also spent countless hours working throughout the park on various other individual projects. Over the years, Terry has also helped Park Rangers by using his knowledge and expertise to per- form trail inspections and assess- ments. He has generously donated Terry Gaughen materials for several trail work pro- jects, and even the use of his own 2006 were Shirley Herring, Visitor Cen- personal truck to haul materials to and ter Staff; Carlo Emani, Volunteer Patrol; from project sites. Linda Hawley, Trail Guide; Cathy Perry, Other volunteers receiving Trail and Habitat Restoration Crews; and awards for outstanding service in Volunteers, continued on p. 6

Summer Twilight Walks Laurel Sum ac Flower Cluster

renamed Malosma because of its dif- Join MTRP Trail Guides lar walks will be lim ited to m axi- ferent fruits. The Latin genus name, for free special interpretive walks m ize your enjoym ent, so sign up by Malosma, refers to the apple-like aro- at twilight this sum m er. W alks phone or in person at the matic oils of the plant, which make it start from the Kum eyaay Lake Kum eyaay Lake Cam pground En- flammable when dry. Cam pground entry station try Station, 619-668-2748. Laurel Sumac is a large rounded and last approxim ately one and or tree up to 15 feet high, which a half hours. Com e and enjoy an Saturdays: grows below 3,000 feet on dry ridges evening walk in the park and June 16, 7:15 p.m. and slopes, and in dry canyons along learn about the changes that oc- July 21, 7:15 p.m. coastal southern California into Baja. cur during dusk and evenings. August 18, 6:45 p.m. Its dense foliage of evergreen leaves, Participation in these very popu- September 15, 6:15 p.m. Sum ac, continued on p. 3 PAGE 2 MISSION TRAILS VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

A M essage From M ission Trails Regional Park Foundation Board of Directors Councilmember Jim M adaffer Joseph C. M orse President Most ern California W ater Sports Associa- Nancy Acevedo likely, the aver- tion is requesting to use Lake Vice President age person has Murray tem porarily for Slalom Dorothy Leonard the m ost con- course water skiing. This issue will Secretary Treasurer tact with the be heard on May 9th at the Mission City of San Trails Regional Park Task Force Jim Austin M arjorie Ferrante Diego through our parks and librar- m eeting at City Hall at 12:15 p.m . It Gene Hatton ies. People often express strong is an open m eeting and the public is Gary Krueger, O.D. opinions about these two topics. invited to attend. W alter Odening, Ph.D. That has been the case recently with I want to com m end Chester J. Carlton M orse II two issues involving parks. The first Owen III, an Eagle Scout candidate Betty Ogilvie Johnnie Perkins has to do with the overall structure with Boy Scout Troop 959. His Eagle W illiam L. Sperling, M .D. of the City’s Park and Recreation Scout project focused on im proving Donald E. Steele program s. Like other departm ents, the Cowles Mountain hiking trails in Tom Story it is undergoing an evaluation proc- Mission Trails Regional Park. The Connie W ood ess called BPR or Business Process trail was closed on Saturday, Febru- th Advisors Reengineering. The Park and Rec- ary 24 when he and a great crew of Patrick Abbott, Ph.D.. reation Departm ent is in a highly volunteers installed fencing and rail- Professor, Departm ent of Geological Sci- transitional phase, with the Director ings to protect the habitat and lim it ences recently retiring and Stacey further trail erosion. Not only does San Diego State University LoMedico, the Acting Director, being this benefit MTRP users, but m y cal- Hon. Sue Braun selected as Director, and several key culations indicate that he saved tax- San Diego City Schools Board M em ber, retired positions vacant. W e are waiting to payers $15,000 in what it would have Hon. Jim Ellis hear the Mayor’s report and recom - cost to have this work done. On be- California State Senator, retired m endations on the Park & Rec De- half of the residents of District 7, I Hon. Barry Jantz partm ent’s BPR, especially as it per- want to thank and congratulate Council M em ber, City of La M esa tains to recreational uses at City Chester for a job well done. Hon. Lucy Killea President and CEO lakes such as Lake Murray. Also, a big thank you to International Com m unity Foundation, On a related topic, I want to Nancy Acevedo and W alter Odening retired bring to your attention an issue con- who have been re-appointed as m em - California State Senator retired cerning Lake Murray. The South- Hon. Jim M adaffer M adaffer, continued on p. 6 Council M em ber, City of San Diego Hon. Judy M cCarty Council M em ber, City of San Diego, Fifteenth Annual retired Hon. Dick M urphy Amateur M ayor, City of San Diego, retired Superior Court Judge, retired Photography Contest M ichael R. Pent Past Chair M ission Trails Citizens' Advisory Com m ittee The 2007 Am ateur Photo Contest will, Citizens' Advisory Com m ittee again this year, coincide with this year’s Explore Past President M ission Trails Regional Mission Trails Day. All entries will be on display Park Foundation Hon. Larry Stirling during this annual event, which celebrates every- Superior Court Judge, retired thing Mission Trails has to offer. California State Senator, retired The entries will be on display in the gallery during the m onths of May and June. You are welcom e to attend the Recycle your glass, plastic and alumi- Photo Contest Reception and Awards num at Kumeyaay Lake Campground. Cerem ony on June 24, 2007 at 2:00 p. m . Containers are located in the day-use You m ay pick up a contest appli- parking lot. cation form at the Visitor Center or on our web site at http://www.m trp.org/ Proceeds go to M TRP Foundation. photo_contest.asp VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2 MISSION TRAILS PAGE 3 Fifth Annual Explore M ission Trails Day

Join park staff and volun- teers on Saturday, May 19, 2007 Madaffer. Funding is being pro- for an all day celebration high- vided by the following sponsors: lighting everything Mission Title Sponsors - Viejas Band of Trails has to offer. This popular Kum eyaay Indians, City of San event will feature free interpre- Diego Transient Occupancy Tax tive walks, talks and program s Program , Supervisor Pam Slater- throughout the park, including Price and the County of San Diego. live anim als and activities for Com m unity Sponsors - Adventure children. An exhibition of this 16, Olive Garden Italian Restau- year’s Annual Photo Contest will rants, RCP Block & Brick, Inc. be on display at the Visitor and and San Diego Landfill System s. Interpretive Center. There will be Pony Ride Sponsor - Kaiser Per- free pony rides and children’s m anente. Neighborhood Sponsors crafts at the Equestrian Staging - Beckm an Coulter, Chipotle, Area. Gunning Plum bing and Kurt's Explore Mission Trails Cam era Repair. Sponsorship op- Day is presented by Mission portunities are still available. For Trails Regional Park Foundation, inform ation on how to becom e an City of San Diego Park and Rec- Explore Mission Trails Day spon- reation Departm ent and San sor, contact Leslie W alsh at 619- Diego City Councilm em ber Jim 668-3280 or e-m ail at m [email protected] .

Sumac, continued from p. 1 The leaves of Laurel Sumac were part flowers bloom at the ends of which are folded up along the midrib used by the Chumash Indians (who lived branches from June to July and attract like a taco shell, provides excellent along the coast north of San Diego, from butterflies, bees and hummingbirds; cover and habitat for wildlife. W ar- L.A. to Ventura County) to make a tea the tiny, berry-like fruits are enjoyed blers love to nest in it! by many songbirds. The old flower/ Laurel Sumac fruit clusters dry up, darken and re- also makes a wonderful main on the plant for a long time. privacy hedge and land- Because of their resemblance to scape plant, but only in miniature trees, these clusters are of- mild climate areas, as it ten used in model railroads as such! is frost-sensitive and the W hen you are out here hik- outer branches and ing and com e across Laurel Su- leaves will turn red and m ac (its taco-shaped leaves die back. Because of m ake it easy to spot!), you m ight this, many and just want to look but not touch. growers in south- This is because in the su- ern California have used m ac fam ily, such as the infa- the plant as an indicator m ous poison oak, contain skin- of frost. A walk along irritating com pounds that can Father Junipero Serra cause contact derm atitis in som e Trail or the Oak Grove individuals. However, the nice Loop will reveal several Laurel Sum ac shrub with dried flower panicles apple scent given off by the plant Laurel that were can be safely enjoyed, as it fol- obviously affected by this winter‘s lows you along the trail! freezing temperatures. Fortunately, for the relief of menstrual cramps. The like many other chaparral and coastal wood makes a good bow and drill set for Ranger Heidi Gutknecht sage scrub shrubs, they will re-sprout starting fires with friction. The conical from underground burls (lignotubers). clusters (panicles) of small white, five- PAGE 4 MISSION TRAILS VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2 Cowles Mountain Trail Project

Chester Owen III, an Eagle After receiving an orientation on pro- also required him to network with Scout candidate, contacted Park jects that were available, Owen local businesses and the com m u- Ranger Melvyn Naidas in Novem ber chose the task of installing 300 feet nity in order to secure the dona- 2006, for potential projects to work of fencing along the first quarter- tions of supplies and heavy labor on in Mission Trails Regional Park. m ile of Cowles Mountain Trail start- needed to com plete the project. ing at the staging area at W hile investing m ore than Golfcrest and Navajo Road. 150 hours of his own tim e on the He chose this project be- trail project, Owen encountered cause he wanted to “Make m any surprises and obstacles along A Difference” in the conser- the way. “I learned never to pre- vation, preservation, pro- sum e that [som ething] is going to tection and restoration of go as planned,” he said. Owen also the habitats of wildlife and learned that som etim es the m ost vegetation along Cowles uncom fortable tasks are the m ost Mountain Trail. rewarding. Going out into the com - During Ranger Mel’s orien- m unity asking for tim e, m oney and tation, Owen learned that labor took courage and belief in successful projects require him self and his ultim ate goal. five stages to be com pleted: Owen was rewarded for his efforts Planning, Organizing, Coor- by the positive response he received dinating, Facilitating and Chester Owen instructing volunteers Managing. Owen’s project Cowles, continued on p. 5 Trail Guide Graduation Class of 2007

W elcom e to our new graduates of the Mission Trails Regional Park Trail Guides pro- gram . The new graduates have been attending classes on W ednesday evenings and Satur- day m ornings the past 10 weeks to learn about the plants, ani- m als, geology, and history of Mission Trails. They are eager to share their knowledge with the public; please join them on one of the up-com ing Ecology W alks. See the Event Calendar for m ore inform ation. Mem bers of the 2006 graduating class are (pictured) Louis Chertkow, Doreen Har- vey, Joan Helland, Diana Hussey, Patricia Kendall, Petra Thank you to the class in- Mission Trails Regional Koellhoffer, Betty Matthews, structors for their outstanding ef- Park has over 150 volunteers work- Stephanie May, Brian Moehl, W il- forts. These dedicated Mission ing in a variety of ways to m aintain liam Roberts, Bryan Sherlock, Trails volunteers include Bill How- the park and m ake educational Ondina Sum m ers, Ishan Tim alsina, ell, Reva Block, Judy Alvarez, Dave program s available to the public. Tim W est and (not pictured) Jose Bailey, W inona Sollock, W endy W hen on our web site, Centeno, Cindy Christ, Mary Esterly, Bill W hite, Fred & Linda www.m trp.org, to "The Park" and Hicks, and Lisa W ilson. Kram er, and Ranger Heidi then "Volunteer!" for m ore inform a- Gutknecht. tion about volunteer opportunities. VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2 MISSION TRAILS PAGE 5

M ission Trails Regional Park Foundation and Greater Navajo Area Business Association Hosted Successful Business M ixer

The Mission Trails Re- services. The m ixer is part of Also thanks to our silent auction gional Park Foundation and The MTRP’s “Neighborhood Business donors who helped raise funds for Greater Navajo Area Business As- Supporter” window decal cam paign Mission Trails. They include Body sociation (GNABA) successfully for local businesses and friends of Beautiful Car W ash, Build-A-Bear held its second neighborhood Busi- the park. W orkshop, Central Plum bing ness Mixer on March 29th at the Heating & Air Conditioning, The unique and beautiful Mission Cheesecake Factory, City Coun- Trails Regional Park Visitor & cilm em ber Jim M adaffer, The Interpretive Center. This was a Com edy Store – La Jolla, Del great opportunity to m eet and M ar Thoroughbred Club, Dis- network with local businesses neyland Resorts, El Indio M exi- and encourage com m unity in- can Restaurant, IHOP Restau- volvem ent. Guests took in the rant, Islands Restaurants, Im - spectacular sunset from the ter- age Apparel & M ore, Jenny race and explored the Visitor & Craig, Reuben H. Fleet Science Interpretive Center, m any for the Center, San Diego Firefighters, first tim e! Sunroad Enterprises, Quail Bo- Attending were over 150 tanical Gardens, SeaW orld, Six representatives from businesses Flag’s M agic M ountain, Trattoria in the com m unities surrounding Tiram isu, and the Zoological the park including Allied Gar- Society of San Diego. To learn m ore about being dens, Del Cerro, Grantville, San Carlos, Tierrasanta, Santee and a neighborhood supporter of Mis- La Mesa. Business guests, GNABA W e greatly appreciate all sion Trails Regional Park, please representatives, and MTRP Foun- who contributed from the com m unity contact Leslie W alsh at event dation board m em bers enjoyed deli- to m ake this event a success! Special @m trp.org or call Roland Roberge at cious appetizers, wine and beer. A recognition to Robert Nenow W inery 619-668-3280. For additional infor- m ation on m em bership in the silent auction with over 30 donated and Gary and Nancy Krueger for the item s included gift certificates to wine donation and The Firehouse Greater Navajo Area Business Asso- area attractions, restaurants and Brewing Com pany for donating beer. ciation, please call Jan Nanning at 619-462-6181.

Cow les, continued from p. 4 useful in his journey to adulthood.” Art Exhibits from his contacts. On Saturday, Although there is no date set for February 24, 2007, Owen waited on Owen to receive his badge, when Upcoming Show s the trail for the approxim ately 15 asked if he thought Owen would pass people he was expecting. Surpris- the review, Ranger Mel said, “Oh ingly, fifty people showed up to yes!” April 21 - June 30, 2007 help build the fence. W hile Rom e The Eagle Scout status/badge is Annual Am ateur Photo Contest was not built in a day, under an honorable and prestigious award, Owen’s leadership, 300 feet of representing lessons and experiences July 1 - August 10, 2007 wooden fence was. that will last a lifetim e. Owen is cur- Pat Silver, solo artist. Leadership skills, responsibil- rently attending Grossm ont College ity, and honoring com m itm ents are and plans to attend San Diego State August 11 - September 21, 2007 part of becom ing an Eagle Scout. University, where he wants to earn a Shandel Gam er W ith the fence project com plete, teaching degree in m athem atics. Myself and Other Anim als 2 Owen’s final step in achieving the Congratulations to Chester Owen III Eagle Scout badge will be to suc- on his successful com pletion of such You are welcom e to peruse the art cessfully pass a com m ittee review. an arduous project and for truly from 9:00 a.m . to 5:00 p.m . seven Ranger Mel shared that, “In som e “Making A Difference” at Mission days a week in the Visitor & Inter- ways, such projects help young m en Trails Regional Park and in the San pretive Center gallery. The art work to becom e adults. For every m erit Diego com m unity. is for sale. Artists donate a portion badge a scout earns, he gains in- of their proceeds to the MTRP Foun- sight and knowledge that can be Ranger M elvin Naidas dation for park related projects. PAGE 6 MISSION TRAILS VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

Volunteers, continued from p. 1 Thank you to our Business Friends Notable Donations January – M arch 2007 Laura Hewes, Park Beautification Central Plum bing, Heating & Air Crew. Recognition plaques provided Conditioning Steward - $5,000 to $10,000 by Mission Trails Regional Park Foun- Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Viejas Band of Kum eyaay Indians dation and a certificate of recognition Disneyland from San Diego City Councilmember Generic Events Patron – $2,500 - $5,000 Jim Madaffer were presented to each Internet Crusade – San Diego Olive Garden Italian Restaurants of these outstanding volunteers. Jenny Craig Volunteers were also recog- Olive Garden Italian Restaurants Founder - $1,000 - $2,500 nized for their hours and years of ser- San Diego City Firefighters, The Dieter Bethke Fam ily vice. Most recorded volunteer hours Station 31 (Del Cerro) Generic Events were Betty Neill, 663 hours, W inona SeaW orld San Diego Kaiser Perm anente Sollock, 480 hours, and Myrna Bate- Six Flags Magic Mountain Marie Tuthill man, 367 hours. Betty received a gift Sunroad Enterprises card to W estfield Malls, while W inona Tri-City Paint Trail Blazer - $500-$1,000 and Myrna received restaurant gift Viejas Band of Kum eyaay Indians The Denton Fam ily – In m em ory of cards. Robert T. Denton Five year service awards were M adaffer, continued from p. 2 Del Mar Thoroughbred Club presented to Luann W right, Joan Sunroad Enterprises Dowd, Opal Hargett, Cindy Fullwile bers-at-large and to Gene Hatton who and Linda Smith. has been re-appointed as the City of Path Finder - $100-$500 Ten year service certificates Santee’s representative to the MTRP Nancy and Joe Acevedo - In were presented to Helene Angoco, Citizens’ Advisory Com m ittee. The m em ory of Shirley Herring Daniece Moden, Barbara DeW itt, Pat park benefits greatly from volunteers Nancy and Joe Acevedo Meacham, Robert Eberhardt. such as them . Ed Barber Mission Trails Regional Park Please stay in touch. I invite Roni Breite and Maurice Pessot Foundation extends sincere thanks to you to sign up for m y em ail newslet- Vickie Brunk the following businesses who contrib- ter. It is a great way to stay current Central Plum bing, Heating & uted door prizes for the 2007 Volun- with the m any wonderful projects and Air Conditioning teer Awards event. events taking place in m y District and Mary Ellen Clapp Arely's Bakery in the city as a whole. You can sign Disneyland The Brigantine up by visiting m y W eb site at http:// Michael and Lois Gubitosi Cheer's Deli Jim Madaffer.com which also has vid- San Diego City Firefighters, Station Chula Vista Nature Center eos of events and projects happening 31 Einstein Bros Bagels - Friars Road in the area. I ask you to keep m e in- Sarah Hass Einstein Bros Bagels - Lake Murray form ed of issues as you see them . Stephen Haim an Blvd. You m ay call m y office at (619) 236- Fred and Bobbi Ham m ack The Fish Merchant 6677 or write m e at City Hall, 202 C Dr. and Mrs.John Holl Megan's Cafe Street, San Diego, CA 92101 or send Mary Ann Glatt Mimi's Cafe an em ail to [email protected]. Mary Jo Grubbs Mission Trails Market and Deli Internet Crusade – San Diego Mission Trails Regional Park Gift Jenny Craig

Shop Th e G if t S h op David and Sally Kotnik Office Depot Helen Malone The Original Golden Bagel Cafe Open seven days a week Rev. Henry and Shirley Mann The Omelette Factory From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm David McLaren and Diane Nelson Viejas Enterprises Jose Moraga W indy's Flowers Shop in a relaxed and quite Kevin Munnelly – In M em ory of Pietro's Cucina Italiana & Pizza Shirley Herring environm ent. Charles and Ann Nickel The annual volunteer awards event is Diane Onstad sponsored by Mission Trails Regional Plenty of free parking. Jodi Roism an Park Foundation and the City of San Six Flags Magic Mountain Diego Park and Recreation Depart- All proceeds benefit Ann and Mike Sixtus ment. Tri-City Paint MTRP Hans and Mary W eber Luann and Brian W right

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2 MISSION TRAILS PAGE 7 SS uu pp pp oorrtt MMiissssiioonn TTrraaiillss RR ee gg iioonnaall PP aarrkk

Volunteer Opportunities W ays you can donate to has a policy of m atching charitable M ission Trails Regional Park gifts. There are numerous volunteer W ills opportunities available. Foundation No prior experience needed. W e Rem em ber Mission Trails Regional provide any training necessary. The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation in your will. Gifts of Securities At the Visitor Center Park Foundation Board of Directors Front Desk extends sincere thanks to our m any In order to allow donors to realize Gift Shop donors. It is because of your continu- full tax deductions for appreciated stock, Mission Trails Regional Park W ithin the park ing support that we are able to fulfill Trail Guide our Mission - In partnership with the Foundation accepts gifts of stock. Park Patrol City of San Diego, to preserve and Please call (619) 668-3280 for further W ork Crews protect the natural environm ent of details. M ission Trails Regional Park and to Charitable Remainder Trusts provide and prom ote educational and W ith a CRT, highly appreciated as- recreational opportunities. sets are placed in an irrevocable In addition to traditional trust. Those asset proceeds provide cash donations, there are other ways incom e to the donor and/or to his/her you can provide short and long-term beneficiaries for life. Contact your financial support for park program s financial advisor for inform ation. and projects. The Foundation’s Special The easiest w ay yet M emorial or In Honor Of gifts Funds include education and library to support M ission Trails Honor a friend or fam ily m em ber funds, trail and tree/habitat m ainte- * nance funds, education and library Simply go to w w w .escrip.com with a donation. access the "sign up" link near M atching Funds endowm ent funds. Call (619) 668- the top of the page Identify Mission Trails Regional 3280 for further inform ation. - MTRP and follow the simple Foundation Federal Tax ID num ber instructions. Park Foundation for a m atching All it takes is five minutes. funds contribution if your em ployer 33-0285093.

M ission Trails Regional Park Donor Opportunities

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation provides opportunities for individuals, businesses, com m unity organizations and foundations to support a variety of program s and projects within Mission Trails Regional Park. Thank you to our m any friends who m ake annual contributions to Friends of Mission Trails Regional Park. A variety of donor opportunities are avail- able as indicated below. All contributions are tax deductible. Nam es of contributors of $1,000 or more will be engraved on a plaque perm anently displayed at the park Visitor and Interpretive Center. Donations of $100 and above will accum ulate from year-to-year for contributor recognition purposes.

Nam e ______Special Funds Address ______Please check fund(s) for which you City ______State _____ Zip Code ______wish your donation to be used. Hom e Phone ______E-m ail ______General Park Support __ Donor Levels Library Fund __ Library Endowm ent __ $25 Individual ______$1,000 Founder ______$25,000 Benefactor ___ Education Program Fund __ Education Program Endowm ent __ $50 Fam ily ______$2,500 Patron ______$50,000 Trustee ______Tree & Habitat Maintenance __ $100 Path Finder ____ $5,000 Steward ______$100,000 Director _____ Trail Maintenance __ $500 Trailblazer _____ $10,000 Sponsor _____ Other ______Lake Murray __

M ake check payable to M TRP Foundation and send to: M ission Trails Regional Park Foundation, Attention Secretary/Treasurer Office Use Only One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119-1008 Check Date___No____Am ount______Data Base____Letter___ Charge m y donation to VISA ___ M C ___ Donor Book___Newsletter___ Card No. ______W eb___ $1000+ Donor Board_____ Expiration date ______Signature ______Mission Trails Non-Profit Organization R e g ional P ark F ou nd at ion U.S. POSTAGE PAID One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119-1008 San Diego, CA Visitor & Interpretive Center: (619) 668-3281 Perm it No. 658 MTRP Foundation: (619) 668-3280 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.mtrp.org

Address Service Requested

Volume 18 Number 2 Spring/Summer M ission Trails Regional Park New s

M ission Trails Regional Park Foundation, Inc., established in January 1988, is a non-profit public benefit corporation organized for the purpose of preserving, im proving and m aintain- ing M ission Trails Regional Park.

M ission Trails Regional Park News is a publi- cation of M ission Trails Regional Park Founda- tion, Inc., published four tim es a year.

Editor: Roland Roberge Distribution: M arjorie Ferrante

TO VIEW A COLOR PDF VERSION OF THIS NEW SLETTER Printed on Recycled Paper GO TO http://www.m trp.org/newsletter.asp Kumeyaay Lake Amphitheater Repaired

In the 1960s the H. G. Fenton Material Co. Monarch Plant sand and gravel mining operation was established along the San Diego River. Due to the removal of material, a lake was formed which subsequently became known as Hollin's Lake. The mining operation eventually ceased and vegetation began to cover most of the original footprint of the site. Years later when the lake was incorporated into the park and re-named Kumeyaay Lake, it was not known that the ground below the surface at the am- phitheater site remained mostly sand. It seemed like an ideal location for the amphitheater. It was a wide open area at the west end of the Lake with very little vegetation and was easily ac- Am phitheater site prior to restoration cessible from the Campground. Over the years, heavy spring rains would come out area and to strengthen it against any ered with a layer of decomposed granite, and flood the lake making the bridge that subsequent floods. FEMA grant money and the area was then given a final layer of led to the amphitheater impassible for a was acquired for the project. soil. Large boulders were also spread along few days due to the rising water. Then On March 12, work began to the edge of the Lake creating a retaining came a particularly heavy, torrential rain repair the damage. KTA Construction wall to help slow any inevitable overflows that saturated the ground, loosened the brought in heavy equipment and seven and to help divert most of the water away soil and eventually eroded away a large hundred tons of material for the job. The from the amphitheater. portion of the amphitheater. hole was first given a foundation of large Roland Roberge Shortly thereafter, the wheels boulders, and smaller stone was then were set in motion to repair the washed placed over this. This material was cov-