After just a little over a year and a half of construction, the red ribbon was cut on the new 5,000-square-foot ranger station for the East Fortuna Staging Area in Mission trails Regional Park (MTRP).

The addition of the station serves as the conclusion of the East Fortuna Staging Area developments which began in 2004. The original developments included parking spaces for 47 cars and 15 horse trailers, 12 picnic sites and four horse corrals.

While those original developments benefited the Mission Trails community, rangers still worked in very crowded trailers or offices in the visitor center. This new station solves that problem by adding office spaces for the 13 rangers that currently work at Mission Trails.

The new ranger station project totals a $6,638,550 investment — $867,540 from the Mission Trails Regional Park Antenna Fund; $4,071,010 from the city’s Environmental Growth Fund; and a $1.5 million donation from the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.

Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Taskforce Chairman and City Councilman Scott Sherman and MTRP Committee member and Council member Jen Campbell officially opened a new 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art ranger station at MTRP. This important park investment will give rangers improved resources and facilities to better protect the park and engage with park visitors.

In addition to the new ranger station, public artwork by acclaimed local artist Roman de Salvo was unveiled. The artwork, “Fountain Mountain,” consists of a large boulder with trail-like channels carved into its surface. A functioning drinking fountain fixture rises out of the highest point of the boulder, and water flows through the array of tiny trails in serpentine paths down the slopes of the boulder. The artwork is inspired by the many trails at MTRP.

“Mission Trails Regional Park has a special place in my heart. As a native San Diegan, Mission Trails was basically my backyard and playground even before it became an official park,” said Council member Scott Sherman. “I am glad we have invested in improving public safety for this important regional treasure.”

“Mission Trails Regional Park has been inspiring visitors since before it opened in 1974. To add a piece like ‘Fountain Mountain’ to this new ranger station will ensure that same inspiration is passed on to future generations,” said Council member Campbell.

“Investing in a new facility for rangers and installing art that is beautiful and functional, will undoubtedly have a profound impact and enhance the experience for all our park visitors,” said County Supervisor and MTRP Committee member Kristin Gaspar.

MTRP is a jewel in the San Diego region and is one of the largest urban parks in the country consisting of more than 8,000 acres over 11 square miles. MTRP has more than 60 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, a rock-climbing area, a stunning 14,000-square-foot Visitor and Interpretive Center, and the Kumeyaay Lake Campground.