PALO CORONA REGIONAL PARK MPRPD BOARD MEETING AUGUST 8, 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS The Trust for Public Land Big Sur Land Trust Santa Lucia Conservancy California State Parks Point Lobos Foundation California Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Conservation Board Coastal Conservancy Ventana Wildlife Society Trout Unlimited Monterey County Local Municipalities, Representatives, and HOAs Monterey Peninsula Water Management District California Natural Resources Agency PRIVATE LAND OWNERS Hatton Family Diana Fish Tony Lombardo Alan Williams Eastwood Family PUBLIC, STAKEHOLDERS, AND NEIGHBORS
AGENDA Introduction Summary of Public Outreach Efforts Review of Preferred Alternative General Development Plan Document Structure Next Steps
PROJECT TIMELINE SITE VISIT & FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE DRAF T GDP DOCUMENT SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS WORK PROJECT WEBSITE L AUNCH PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1 - OCT 5, NOV 1 & 2, 2017 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND RE-USE REPORT SITE ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC WORKSHOP 2 - NOV 15 & 16, 2017 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC WORKSHOP 3 - FEB 7 & 8, 2018 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE REFINEMENT MPRPD BOARD PRESENTATION - APRIL 11 DRAF T MASTER PL AN DEVELOPMENT MPRPD BOARD PRESENTATION - AUGUST 8 ADOPTION OF DRAFT GDP CEQA 2016- SPRING 2017 SUMMER FALL WINTER WINTER SPRING SUMMER 2018 WE ARE HERE PROJECT START-UP PROGRAMMING & ALTERNATIVES PCRP MASTER PLAN
PROJECT PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES RESTORATION Improve water quality and aquatic habitat of the Carmel River Minimize wildlife fragmentation Restore areas to natural habitat Reintroduce common, threatened and endangered flora and fauna RECREATION Community and user group access Diverse trail network for varied abilities and experiences Trail Connectivity Inclusive park-appropriate programs, facilities, and activities RE-USE Re-use or retrofit of existing facilities and infrastructure Re-use and improvement of former golf course to create more natural habitat Continued community use for meetings and gatherings Collaboration with community and agency partners
PROJECT AREA 185
PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS Focus Group Meetings Public Open House Information Gathering Public Workshop #1 SURVEY #1 Public Workshop #2 SURVEY #2 Public Workshop #3 Review Alternative Concepts Review Preferred Alternative Obtain Suggestions & Ideas GENERAL SPECIFIC SURVEY #3 Presentation to Board Revise Preferred Alternative Develop General Development Plan Plan Presentation to the Board
PROJECT WEBSITE Project website: palocorona.org View project and timeline updates Keep informed about upcoming meetings View materials and project documents Take online surveys Sign up for mailing list
PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY CONCERNS Don t want parking to be used for Point Lobos access Traffic impact on Hwy 1 and Carmel Valley Road Overuse and crowding Adequate Funding to maintain what is improved Over-Use, especially by non-regional visitors OPPORTUNITIES Hiking and trail opportunities within Palo Corona Regional Park Fenced in Dog Park for all, especially elderly and mobility impaired. ADA/Inclusive access, facilities and programs for populations that cannot access park s rugged terrain or other parks in the region Gathering space for club meetings and events Discovery Center and Interpretive Education
PALO CORONA REGIONAL PARK PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - BACK COUNTRY UNIT Backcountry access by permit Hiking and trail opportunities within Palo Corona Regional Park Opportunities for trail connectivity to adjacent parks and open space Limited, permit-only camping sites On-site ranger staff to patrol park full-time Mountain bike, equestrian, and multi-use trails Research and educational/ interpretive opportunities Emergency access and potential to expand cell phone coverage Point Lobos State Reserve LEGEND Existing Trails Programming Opportunities Potential Trail Connections Potential Emergency Access Routes PCRP Park Boundary Adjacent Open Space Boundaries Highway 1 Carmel-By-The-Sea Point Lobos Ranch Carmel River State Beach Corona Road Carmel Highlands Garrapata State Park Point Lobos Ranch VISTA POINT Carmel Valley Road DAY-USE IMPROVEMENTS TO BARN WITH PICNIC AREA AND YOUTH EDUCATIONAL CAMPING RUSTIC CAMPING AT WHISLER WILSON WITH RANGER STATION Santa Lucia Preserve DAY-USE OR RUSTIC CAMPING AT CORONA HOMESTEAD Mitteldorf Preserve WILDLIFE VIEWING AREA Joshua Creek Ecological Reserve Carmel Valley Rancho San Carlos Road Figure 9: Opportunities and Constraints diagram of PCRP. GIS data provided by Turf Image Geospatial Consulting.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - FRONT RANCH UNIT Multi-use trail access to Back Country Unit with speed control measures for safety Potential multi-use trail connection to Carmel River State Beach Repurpose barn for interpretive, educational, and special events uses Exploring options for potential sites for horse trailer staging area to access Back Country Unit Continued special permits for community and non-profit events/fundraisers Closing vehicular parking on Hwy 1 (parking lot for special use only) Pedestrian access from neighborhoods to continue
TYPES OF TRAIL PROPOSED FOR PALO CORONA ALTERNATIVE MULTI-USE SINGLE TRACK PAVED COMMUNITY TRAIL PAVED MULTI-USE & SOFT-SURFACE SHOULDER MULTI-USE SINGLE TRACK TRAIL
FRONT RANCH UNIT - PALO CORONA REGIONAL PARK LEGEND Connection to Carmel River State Beach* WEST ENTRANCE Multi-Use Trail (RC Unit - Paved) Multi-Use Trail (Unpaved) Alternative Multi-Use Route (Unpaved) Pedestrian Access and Vehicular Access by Special Permit Only Adaptive Re-Use of Historic Barn *Additional Trail Connection(s) to be determined by State Parks Future Carmel River FREE Trails Community Trails (Unpaved) Connector Trails (Unpaved) Future Carmel River FREE Trails (Unpaved) Potential Multi-Use Trail (Unpaved) Picnic * CARMEL RIVER Carmel River FREE Project Area Picnic Area Vegetated Screening Parking by Special Permit Only Community Trail Carmel River FREE Project Dispersed Picnic Interpretive Element PCRP Park Boundary Future Carmel River FREE Trails Potential Multi-Use Trail Connector Tr. Picnic Picnic Note: Future Back Country access beyond Animas Pond by permit only RANCHO CAÑADA VILLAGE Note: Dogs not allowed south of South Bank Trail Alternative Multi-use route Multi-use access to Back Cty Inspiration Point * Multi-use access to Back Country Multi-use Trail FRONT RANCH ENTRANCE
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - RANCHO CAÑADA UNIT Priority Restoration Zone CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL MEarth CARMEL VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA RE-USE ZONE SLC Future Restoration Zone Transition Zone TRANSITION ZONE Re-Use Zone RANCHO CAÑADA VILLAGE FUTURE RESTORATION ZONE Emergency event command center/ Staging Area 1000 Wildlife Corridor FRONT RANCH ENTRANCE PRIORITY RESTORATION ZONE SOUTH BANK TRAIL Note: Dogs allowed in Rancho Canada Unit, on leash Dogs not allowed south of South Bank Trail Parking at Rancho San Carlos entrance requires permit PCRP Park Boundary Non-exclusive environmental education and conservation easement
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - RANCHO CAÑADA UNIT Multi-Use Trails (Paved) CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL MEarth CARMEL VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA Martin Canyon SLC Potential Multi-Use Trail Connection (Unpaved) Alternative Multi-Use Route (Unpaved) Community Trails (Paved) RANCHO CAÑADA VILLAGE POTENTIAL CONNECTION TO BEACH/RIVER Alt. Multi-use route Multi-Use Trail Multi-Use Trail FRONT RANCH ENTRANCE Note: Dogs not allowed south of South Bank Trail Community Trail SOUTH BANK TRAIL Co nector Trail Multi-Use Trail Connector Trails (Unpaved) Emergency event command center/ Staging Area 1000 Wildlife Corridor PCRP Park Boundary Non-exclusive environmental education and conservation easement
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - RANCHO CAÑADA UNIT LEGEND Multi-Use Trail Community Trail Connector Trail Emergency Event Staging Area 1000 Wildlife Corridor PCRP Park Boundary Easements CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL Potential Dog Park Area RANCHO CAÑADA VILLAGE MEarth CARMEL VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA Dispersed Picnic Area Picnic Pavilions Inclusive/Exploratory Play Area Amphitheater Trailhead Multi-Use Trail Restroom Building/Plaza Multi-Use Trail Trailhead Connector Trail Potential Future Trail Connection to Martin Canyon SLC Outdoor Classroom Pavilion Connector Trail Community Trail Multi-Use Trail Multi-Use Trail Community Trail Multi-Use Trail to access Back Country POTENTIAL CONNECTION TO BEACH Alternative Multi-Use Connector Trail Front Ranch Entrance SOUTH BANK TRAIL Dispersed Picnic Area River Overlook Outdoor Classroom Pavilion
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - RANCHO CAÑADA UNIT Picnic Lawn Area Picnic Gravel Parking Area Trailhead Picnic Restroom Building/Plaza Observation Dock Shop Picnic Pavilion Picnic Pavilion Trailhead Inclusive/ Exploratory Play Amphitheater Information Kiosks Discovery Center LEGEND Multi-Use Trail Community Trail Connector Trail Emergency Event Staging Area
PLAN ELEMENTS - CLUBHOUSE 3 2 1 2 CLUBHOUSE USES Discovery Center 1 Gathering space for club meetings, and public and private events 2 Office and administrative space 3 4 Basement/lower level may become tenant space Community Meetings & Events
PLAN ELEMENTS - POND & COMMUNITY LAWN 1 PICNIC PAVILION 2 OBSERVATION DOCK 1 1 2 1 5 4 INCLUSIVE AND EXPLORATORY PLAY 5 RESTROOM/PLAZA 4 3 3 AMPHITHEATER
PLAN ELEMENTS - TRAILHEAD 1 TRAILHEAD & KIOSKS 2 1 2 PICNIC PAVILION
PLAN ELEMENTS - RIVER OVERLOOK & OUTDOOR CLASSROOM Ranch heritage history/working cattle lands Wildlife of park (enhanced habitat resulting in reintroduction of redlegged frog, condors, steelhead trout and other species) Ecology of park, highlight different habitats and ecological diversity Natural history of region Cultural history (Native Americans, literary figures, bear/ bull fights, Fish Ranch and land purchase) Watershed/Hydrology (Carmel River Restoration, Land-to-Sea connection) Lessons learned from introducing non-native species (wild boar) 1 2 RIVER OVERLOOK OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
PLAN ELEMENTS - CAL FIRE EMERGENCY STAGING AREA & WILDLIFE CORRIDOR WITH PASSIVE RECREATION 1 WILDLIFE CORRIDOR 2 1 2 EMERGENCY EVENT COMMAND CENTER/ STAGING AREA CalFire, county and others use of site during emergencies Adaptive use as a dog park when not in use for emergencies Will repair/restore park after use Area to be used for passive recreation during normal park operation PASSIVE RECREATION
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES Other potential activities or programming that could be introduced to the park in the future with partnerships or increased interest Flexible plan that will continue to meet the needs of the community as the community and the park evolve: Native plant nursery Art in the park Fitness course Additional opportunities Scientific research (phenology, climate change, post-fire ground cover recovery and species modification, etc.)
INTERIM TRAILS PLAN - RANCHO CAÑADA UNIT CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL MEarth RANCHO CAÑADA VILLAGE CARMEL VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA Mowed Path SLC Interim Trails Open to the Public (Existing Cart Paths) Vista Lobos Trail (Existing) 1000 Wildlife Corridor PCRP Park Boundary Non-exclusive environmental education and conservation easement To be opened for public use at a later phase Vista Lobos Trail FRONT RANCH ENTRANCE SOUTH BANK TRAIL
DRAFT OUTLINE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY V INTRODUCTION 1 MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT 3 PALO CORONA RANCH AND RANCHO CAÑADA ACQUISITION 3 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 5 SITE CONTEXT 5 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 59 ACQUISITION AND LAND TRANSFER 60 TRAILS AND PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN 62 RECREATIONAL USES 72 SUPPORT FACILITIES AND SPECIAL USES 92 NATURAL RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION PLAN 98 INTERPRETIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PLAN 100 SITE ASSESSMENT 7 SUMMARY OF EXISTING STUDIES 8 OFF-SITE ASSESSMENT 16 ON-SITE ASSESSMENT 20 OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS 35 PUBLIC OUTREACH 35 INITIAL FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS 36 OPEN HOUSE AND PUBLIC FORUM 42 ADDITIONAL FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS 46 PUBLIC WORKSHOP SUMMARIES 50 MPRPD PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS 56 NEXT STEPS 105 INTERIM USE AND PHASING 106 FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS 109 CALFIRE EMERGENCY STAGING AREA 110 EMERGENCY ACCESS TO BACK COUNTRY UNIT 110 CONTINUED PLAN DEVELOPMENT 112 APPENDIX PARK HISTORY AND ACQUISITION PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY DESIGN ALTERNATIVES REFERENCES
NEXT STEPS Board Comments and Adoption of General Development Plan Plan Revisions based on Board comments California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) assessment Partnerships for obtaining funding and grants for restoration Interpretive and Education Plan Operations and Maintenance Plan Emergency Event Command Center/Staging Area Agreement Habitat Restoration Plan development and subsequent implementation
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