Completed Projects - Parks / Coast / Environment

Upgrades to Park Anticipated

by Jessica Long

Black Mountain Open Space Park may soon see a facelift thanks to $100,000 from a local developer.

Located in central Rancho Penasquitos, the park received the funding from the Black Mountain Ranch Corporation. Representatives from the company agreed to make the donation in exchange for the city’s permission to build a large residential community in northern PQ.

"A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making today happen," said Councilman Scott Peters during a check presentation ceremony held Friday. "It was two years of negotiations surrounding the success of this agreement."

Peters represents PQ on the San Diego City Council.

"It’s great," said Park Ranger John Barone. "We have a list of priorities from hiring a new ranger to clearing out brush. Funding like this is what allows us to get the list done."

In addition to the $100,000, which will help make the park more user-friendly, Black Mountain Ranch also agreed to donate 1,813 acres of land to the city. The acreage will connect the park to the San Dieguito River Park to the north, the Pacific Highlands Ranch Open Space to the west, and the Del Mar Mesa Open Space and Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve to the southwest.

For nearby residents who frequent the park, like Victor and Lori McBride, it is sadly underused.

The McBrides use the area as a walking place and also as a launching pad when paragliding.

"It’s really a nice place," Victor said, noting on a clear day the view includes glimpses of places like Point Loma, downtown, Coronado and Carlsbad.

"It’s one of those treasures that no one knows about," Lori said. "We live right here but if it wasn’t for our interest in paragliders, we never would have known it was available to us."

City park officials said about one fourth of the park is expected to be enhanced with cleared trailways; the remaining portion will be preserved in its natural setting.

The preservation will include maintaining the park’s natural habitat.