por Jay Wilson

Out in the park 

The rangers at Mission Trails have gone high tech. Thanks to a $5,000 grant from Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI), the MTRP Foundation was able to deliver a holiday surprise. A present for each ranger included an iPad Air with a keyboard and protective case. Rangers now have a mobile office at their fingertips no matter where they are in the park. On Jan. 7, Alyson Wright, market outreach specialist, and Jose Gonzalez, manager of outdoor programs with REI, visited Mission Trails to meet some of the rangers. At the same time they said, “We have a surprise for you.” On Dec. 19, Alyson contacted me indicating that REI corporate was asking for projects they might help with. Because the MTRP Foundation was a potential recipient, we were asked to submit a request for funds that would help with the restoration of the 95 acres burned in last summer’s fire on Kwaay Paay. The park’s Senior Ranger, Andy Quinn, submitted a request for funds to help with cost of materials. REI responded and on Jan. 7, Alyson and Jose presented the MTRP Foundation with a check for $20,000 to help with restoration materials.

On Jan. 15, the second group of AmeriCorps youth will arrive for a 10-week stay at MTRP. AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. They will be “roughing it” in that they will be camping at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground. The AmeriCorps members will be working under the supervision of ranger Levi Dean to continue the restoration of much of the area that burned on Kwaay Paay. They will be working with materials purchased with funds from the REI grant.

Through the city of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, poet Jim Moreno will be conducting a three-day poetry campout workshop, Feb. 13 – 15 for beginners and accomplished poets at the MTRP Lake Kumeyaay Campground. For more information, email Jim at jimpoet.com.

Have fun at the Visitor Center

Our wonderful, free concert series continues with concerts on Jan. 18, featuring the third performance by the Santee Community Chorus, and on Feb. 15, the Navy Band Southwest Woodwind Quintet will perform. All hour-long concerts begin at 3 p.m. and will be performed in the Visitor Center Theater. The San Diego Native American Flute Circle continues its monthly program in the amphitheater on the second Sunday of each month from 1 – 3 p.m.

“Seven Great Artists, One Great Show” is the title of the current art exhibition on display through Jan. 30 in the Visitor Center Gallery. This exhibition features 55 pieces of exceptional art presented by seven award-winning artists who create art in various mediums: photography, pastel, graphite, oil, watercolor and mixed media. “Nature’s Eternal Dance” will be our next art exhibition from Jan. 31 through Feb. 3; it features Joan Hanses, who paints with passion and an eye for color. This award-winning artist paints landscapes, water scenes, wildlife, florals and wine themes. Joan adds, “As artists, we have the opportunity to express our unique thoughts and passions. It intrigues me to capture and paint the illusive choreography in Nature’s Eternal Dance of light and shadow.” This exhibit will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery from Jan. 31 through Feb. 27. The public is cordially invited to a reception in honor of the artist on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1 – 4 p.m.

Linda Hawley’s Children’s “Nature Adventures!” program delights children of all ages with the animated enthusiasm she brings to her entertaining programs. The next class will be offered Jan. 20 – 21; the topic will be Kumeyaay Life before 1769. Factual information is introduced about San Diego’s wild animals using songs, puppets, real pelts, replicated skulls, scats, tracks and taxidermy specimens. Each lesson is followed by an leisurely trail walk and a return to the classroom, where children make a related take-home craft. Children ages 4 and up may attend one class per month; adult attendance is required. Fees are $10 per child per class or $8 per child for three or more classes; $8 per child with families of three or more paying children. Parents and siblings under 4 attend free. MTRP reserves the right to cancel a class 72 hours in advance.

The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.. For more information about Mission Trails, and all the programs, visit our website at mtrp.org.

—Jay Wilson is the executive director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.