By Scott Sherman
On Tuesday, May 21, the City Council will vote to approve the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Master Plan Update.
The update, funded in 2008, was originally scheduled to be completed in 2013 but unfortunate delays have hindered advancements to this important regional park.
The key objectives of the update are:
- Provide a structure for ongoing land and resource management.
- Identify unsafe or unsustainable sections of recreational trails.
- Provide new or alternative routes to improve reactional connectivity while protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources.
- Provide amenities that provide recreation use.
In addition, the update will increase the size of MTRP from 5,380 acres to approximately 9,780 acres with the potential acquisition of additional property in the future.
Mission Trails Regional Park is a hidden jewel in the city of San Diego and is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
The park has more than 60 miles of hiking, mountain bike and equestrian trails, a rock-climbing area, a stunning 14,000-square-foot visitor and interpretive center and the Kumeyaay Lake Campground.
Mission Trails Regional Park has a special place in my heart. As a native San Diegan, Mission Trails was my playground as a child even before it became an official park. It is important that the City Council approves this update, so we can continue to invest in the future of this amazing natural treasure.
If you are able, I urge you to attend the council meeting on May 21 to voice your support for the update. If unable to attend, please email the mayor and City Council and urge them to vote in favor.
For more information, please visit mtrp.org.
— San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman represents the District 7 neighborhoods of Mission Valley, Grantville, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and San Carlos.
