Construction and Restoration

Three major aspects of our River Park work will occur in 2008: establishment of vegetation in newly constructed areas, eradication of invasive weeds to ready new areas for native planting, and Phase II earth moving, which began in January 2008, when Caltrans will began using our fill to extend Highway 52. In addition, the River Trail opened in May 2008.

Construction

After our Groundbreaking event on May 20, 2006, five major elements of the restoration were completed that Fall: the West Channel wetlands, East Pond Wetlands, Restored River Channel at Hanson Channel Road, the new Constructed Wetlands, and the Bioswale. In January 2008 these efforts were recognized by the State Water Resources Control Board as a success story in treating urban runoff and restoring the integrity of the river. Read the report.

Early in 2008 Errecca Construction, under contract to Caltrans, began to remove large amounts of dirt from the south side of the Park. The dirt will be used as fill in the construction of the Highway 52 extension to Highway 67. At the same time, the removal of the dirt will lower the ground level and allow for the natural river bottom to re-emerge. When Caltrans has removed the fill, the area will be re-vegetated as a new wetlands habitat and the area will also provide additional water storage areas during floods.

The Trail

The River Trail runs along the northern banks of the River, beginning just north of the Channel Road Bridge and the Hubbell Gate and travels west to Lakeside Land. The Hanson Reach is around 1700 feet long, and looks south over the newly restored river channel. Hanson has generously transferred their property along the trail to the River Park now so we can open it to public use. Native trees and shrubs have been planted and a decomposed granite trail surface has been installed.

The Willowbrook Reach of the trail runs west approximately 3000 feet. The first section travels 1200 feet through an existing lane of Eucalyptus trees. In the long run, the Eucalyptus will be replaced by native Coast Live Oak, Cottonwood and Sycamore trees since Eucalyptus oils poison the ground for additional planting below. However, the shade they provide along the trail is as valuable to us as the nesting habitat the height provides to raptors. Along the trail, you emerge from the Eucalyptus passage into the 1700 foot Oleander stretch. To the south you observe the East Pond and Wetland, with its new Ephemeral Island, across from the tee box. This will be the first overlook area.

Traveling west, you pass the small “turtle pond” near the channel mouth as you enter the Oleander stretch of trail, with the Bird Cathedral to the south. As the turn into Lakeside Land comes into sight, the panhandle of the West Channel is just below. There is an overlook platform here. Trees on this reach of the trail were planted as part of our Commemorative Planting in January 2007 and February 2008. Lodgepole fencing, small plantings, and a decomposed granite trail have been installed. Construction of the first overlook area is needed to complete this section and there will be intermittent clsoures of the trail to allow this. Trail directions and interpretive signage are also planned.

The final section of the trail runs north, past the Willowbrook Country Club, and ends at Riverside Drive.

While much of the process involves heavy equipment and contracted construction firms, another equally important aspect of this phase will be volunteer driven. Currently, the river is choked with invasive plants such as Arundo and Tamerisk that prevent the healthy growth of native species such as the mulefat, willows, scarlet monkeyflowers, and western sycamores. A major effort is under way, with the help of the San Diego Fire Crews, to remove this invasive biomass and free up space for the reintroduction of native plants.

Please volunteer to help our efforts to restore the Park.