Parks and Roads in PQ

by Scott Peters
August 2005

Park and transportation infrastructure – like our skate park and SR 56 – have been priorities for me in serving Rancho Peñasquitos. I wanted to give you an update on some current projects in the area.

Many of you may have noticed the construction over the past year of Black Mountain Ranch Community Park at the northern end of Black Mountain Road. Designed to serve the communities of Torrey Highlands, Black Mountain Ranch, and Rancho Penasquitos, this 30-acre community park is being developed in three Phases. Today, the $6 million Phase I is near completion, and set for opening ceremonies on September 10th at 11:30 a.m.

Under the original plans, park construction would not have started for years. However, I ’d heard from many of you that the community is short of field space, so we worked with City staff and the developer to phase the park to bring many of the fields on line early. The developer of Santaluz/Black Mountain Ranch is building the park, and broke ground two years ahead of schedule. Our ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate the completion of four ball fields, 3 soccer fields, and picnic area. Phase II and III will include additional soccer fields in the eastern section of the park, basketball courts, additional Tot Lots, a recreation center and swimming pool.

We are also nearing the completion of the long awaited Town Center Linear Park on Salmon River Road. When I took office in 2000, the development agreement obligating the developer to build the park had expired! I pledged to try to hold the developer to its obligations and worked hard with our City Manager Lamont Ewell and Park and Recreation Department Director Ellen Oppenheim to make it happen. Thankfully, Westbrook finally did keep its promises by contributing $250,000 in accordance with the agreement. Along with my allocation of $75,000 from 2002 Clean Air, Safe Parks, and Coastal Protection Act grant funds, this contribution made the park possible.

In February, the City Council accepted a deed of the land and approved construction of the 1.7-acre park, including landscaping, turf and a jogging trail. Many of you who joined me in the groundbreaking ceremony in April and I look forward to opening the park with you this October.

When combined with the connection of Carmel Valley Road to the east, estimated to be completed in the fall of next year, this connection will further relieve traffic on streets like Black Mountain Road and Camino Del Sur.

It is my honor to serve Rancho Peñasquitos on the City Council and I hope you will contact my office with any suggestions you have to make our neighborhoods even better.