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Planners look to revitalize Alpine parkland
By Susan Hogoboom
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — The Alpine Revitalization
Steering Committee held a session June 26 at Crown Hills Country
Club. Second District Supervisor Dianne Jacob moderated the
meeting, but very few local chairpeople were actually in
attendance.
Revitalization Parks and Recreation Chairman George
Barnett was the only local representative present, joined by
several county employees. Public Health Chairman Neville
Connell; Community Development Chairman Joe Forlenza; Youth and
Community Services Chairman Pat Cannon; Circulation Chairman
Nina Gould, were all absent from the meeting, however, county
employees gave very brief overviews of some of the issues.
“You should not be depending upon county staff to be
your representatives,” said a frustrated Jacob, before turning
the floor over to George Barnett.
Barnett discussed land issues regarding Wright’s Field
and the possibility for building additional parks and a sports
facility in Alpine.
With regard to Wright’s Field, Barnett announced that
the Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) received a $25,000 grant from
SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) for its management
and fencing to prevent off-road vehicle damage, however, the
fencing is suffering from vandalism. This has prompted the
sheriff’s department to more closely monitor activities around
the property and to provide community education.
Barnett also addressed a .75-acre space behind the new
Albertsons. According to Barnett, Albertsons’ land management
personnel have been contacted by the county and are still
willing to donate the acreage. Politicians and neighbors have
hopes for a parkland project on the site, perhaps including
playground facility and a walking trail.
“The Alpine Planning Group, we’re hoping, will vote
shortly and release PLDO [Park Land Development Ordinance] funds
to fund that particular development,” said Barnett.
Jacob then reminded Barnett that such a park would
require upkeep.
Barnett informed Jacob of an organization called Park
Land for Alpine Youth (PLAY), funded by local sports
enthusiasts, to be what he referred to as “a maintenance entity”
for the property. At the same time, he pointed out concern that
PLAY has not yet received its non-profit certification and that
it is unknown whether or not it will meet the county’s
expectations with regard to upkeep and maintenance.
Barnett then discussed the Viejas Mountain Trail,
located off Victoria Drive, saying that, according to Owen
Martin of the U.S. Forest Service, the popular trail is not an
officially listed Cleveland National Forest (CNF) trail. CNF has
no plans for its maintenance, so Barnett is anticipating
cooperation from the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.
“We look forward to working more closely with Viejas
regarding ideas about maintenance,” he said.
Barnett then discussed the search for a 30-acre piece
of open land for the use of a park.
“There is just no such property available in Alpine,
after years of looking,” he said. He put the item, along with
Joan Mac Queen Middle School sports facilities improvements, and
the Alpine Elementary School ball field upgrades on the back
burner. He stressed the importance of striving for more
realistic goals for a large sports facility, such as the
construction of one at the future high school site on the former
Lazy A Ranch.
“If a high school is going to be built in the Alpine
area, it is going to have some sort of sports facility,” Barnett
said, stating that there would be, “cooperation with other
uses.” This would require working with the Grossmont Union High
School District (GUHSD).
Barnett said another possible site for a sports complex
is on a .75-acre piece of property located adjacent to the
Interstate 8 on-ramp from Tavern Road. Local businessman and
landowner Tom Dyke originally donated by the site for
construction of a sheriff’s substation.
The .75-acre, as well as the acquision of an adjacent
seven acres, would provide room for three multi-purpose baseball
fields; one large multi-purpose soccer field; a children’s
playground; parking; and perhaps a small structure.
Barnett said Dyke has pledged to work with the
community to attempt to make such an acquisition of the property
occur.
“Mr. Dyke, nearby, has explosive magazines for his
drilling and blasting business. In order to meet federal, state,
county, and safety ordinances, he would have to relocate,”
Barnett said.
Barnett concluded his overview by prioritizing the top
three projects, with number one being the property behind
Albertsons, number two being the Dyke property, and number three
being working with the GUHSD for public access rights to an
expected future sports complex at the new high school.
Barnett also has hopes for an educational center, but
this project is on hold until the finalization of the
disposition of the remaining Wright’s Field property.
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