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Climbing Restricted within Mission Trails Regional Park |
Update: July 17, 2008 On July 16, a group of ACSD members attended the Task Force Meeting to speak to the members about our concerns. After a lengthy discussion between task force members a motion was made not to approve the Master plan updates as recommended by the CAC, but to send the document back to the CAC for modification. The motion passed by the task force requested that the CAC work with ACSD to come up with language that is agreeable to both parties and includes a proper environmental review of rock climbing activities within the park. This environmental review will include analyzing climbing areas closed in 1999 to see if they can be re-opened. The task Force appears open to discussion and open to the idea that areas in the park may be reopened for hiking and climbing. This is the first step in preventing climbing resources within the park from being closed off permanently. ACSD will continue to work with the MTRP CAC and Task Force in hopes that climbing areas within the park will be recognized as valuable recreational resources and will be open for all to enjoy. A sub-committee is forming to work on the Mission Trails Climbing Resources issue. If you are interested please attend the next Allied Climbers of San Diego Member Meeting and join the subcommittee... If you can not attend the meeting please email access to see how else you can help.
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Summary of Issue: The CAC makes its recommendations to the Mission Trails Task Force, which then has to approve the changes. The Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force is meeting on July 16, 2008 to vote on the CAC’s recommended changes. ACSD is going to be at the Task Force meeting to let them know that we disagree with the CAC’s recommendations and would like the Task Force to reconsider approving the updates as written. ACSD has submitted a letter formally outlining our position on recreational restrictions in the park. It has been the policy of the park since 1999 to limit climbing to the main cliff along the climbers loop trail, but it was never written into policy. The head ranger had said in 1999 that the various closures could be reconsidered in the future, but now that will not be possible once the closures are made permanent in the Master Plan. Background: Other climbing areas within the Park closed in 1999 without written or scientific justification include: the abandoned quarry in southwestern boundary of park, boulders along the San Diego River, the southern and east sides of Kwaay Paay mountain, (north of Mission Gorge Rd), the The quarry in particular is a valuable climbing resource. There are about 15 good sport routes there from 35 to 70 feet long. The rock is more vertical, continuous, and has more holds and texture than the polished rock at the main cliff. It faces SE whereas the main cliff faces west, so they are shady at different times of the day. The quarry is located only about 20 yards north from a maintained dirt road in the park so it requires no new trails. The dirt road is lined with fencing. The river riparian zone is located on the south side of dirt road, so it is easily kept separate from the quarry. Since it is an abandoned quarry, the ground is already disturbed. The quarry forms a manmade alcove cut into the hillside, so it is not part of the main wildlife corridor along the river. ACSD will continue to work on this issue in an attempt to appeal the recommendations of the CAC. We feel rock climbing is a passive, human powered, environmentally clean recreation activity that has not been scientifically linked to any negative effect on sensitive resources and native habitat found within MTRP. Rock climbing is enjoyed by many San Diegans and their families and, much like hiking, is absolutely compatible with the Mission Trails Regional Park’s founding language as a Community Park. How can you help? San Diego Councilmember Jim Madaffer San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye County Supervisor Pam Slater County Supervisor Dianne Jacob Santee Councilmember Brian Jones La Mesa Councilmember Ruth Sterling Dorothy Leonard |
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Copyright Allied Climbers of San Diego 2007
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