A draft of a master plan for what could be the county's largest park has been completed and will be open for public comment until June 14.
As envisioned, the North County park will stretch 8½ miles parallel to state Route 76, along the San Luis Rey River from Oceanside to just east of Interstate 15.
“The park's draft master plan outlines the creation of an open space legacy balancing and enhancing natural, cultural and recreational resources about the San Luis Rey River,” said Renee Bahl, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation. “The plan is flexible and allows us to build out the park as we purchase land from willing sellers.”
County Board of Supervisor Chairman Bill Horn said yesterday he will ask Walt Ekard, the county's chief administrative officer, to designate more funds for additional land. Supervisors are expected to vote on the funding next month.
“My vision for the San Luis Rey River Park started as an incentive to get CalTrans to widen Highway 76,” said Horn, who is seeking re-election next month. “We've given $6 million so far, and I will ask the CAO to allocate an additional $3 million to the park from this year's budget.”
Planners have been negotiating with private landowners for months, concentrating on purchasing the most sensitive properties, those that are most attractive to private developers. It will likely be a decade or longer before all the land is acquired, planners say.
The master plan draft calls for 95 percent of the park to be committed to open space and nature conservation. The remaining land will be used for recreation such as ball fields, native gardens and interpretive centers. As many as 50 miles of trails are envisioned.
To see the master plan or to make a comment, go to www.sdparks.org and click on San Luis Rey River Park.
J. Harry Jones: (760) 737-7579; jharry.jones@uniontrib.com
