After years of anticipation, residents of Oceanside can now enjoy the mile-long nature trail at El Corazon Park along Garrison Creek. The Friends of El Corazon (FELC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the City of Oceanside on Saturday, April 30. More than 40 people, including members of FELC, City Council Members, and Community Leaders attended the morning event. Birders representing the Audubon Society and Naturalists from the Lagoon provided a guided hike of the trail following the ceremony.

The trail is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hikers can access the trail by foot at the gate located on Mesa Drive near the apartment complex just west of Rancho Del Oro Drive. Look for the open gate and stone pillar designating one end of the trail. You can also access the trail through the driveway/street entrance to Moody’s and AgriService at 3210 Oceanside Blvd. There is a parking area to the left near another stone pillar designating the beginning of the trailhead.


It is fun to walkright toward the first rock pile and extend your right arm out as you at like a rushing stream hitting the rocks and flaring out into an oxbow right toward the next rock pile. "Hi t" that one and extend our left arm as you flare out. Repeat as you go down the 20 or so piles. Some of the "flares" are 2 piles long.

“We have been looking forward to this day for a long time,” says Diane Nygaard, president of FELC. “We were so pleased to work with the City on this special occasion and know that our members and all citizens of Oceanside can now enjoy this trail for years to come!”
 

The Park Villas Project Proposal Update
By, Diane Nygaard

The El Corazon Specific Plan (ECSP) amendment that allows horizontal mixed use also applies to the project proposed on the private land at the entrance to El Corazon- Park Villas. Shopoff Realty Investments, a developer headquartered in Irvine, CA is proposing 70 condo units with some small retail spaces along the frontage road.

This project would require what we consider a major, unacceptable amendment to the ECSP. It would exceed the allowed number of residential units and convert commercial land to residential. There was a reason the ECSP set 300 units as th maximum--it is what would fit on the space without adversely affecting the amount of land for commercial uses and the jobs/housing ratio that is critical fo the long-term sustainability of our community. Shopoff claims they would just " reallocate" the commercial square footage to another part of El Corazon. However, all of the land is committed so there is nowhere to "reallocate" it. In spite of FELC’s opposition, the developer is moving this project forward! The City Staff, the Economic Development Commission, and the Planning Commission are also raising similar concerns, yet Shopoff believes it has three votes from City Council members guaranteed to get this proposal passed.

We want the Mayor and City Council to reject this proposal. Either they support the community's vision for El Corazon- and the ECSP they all adopted - or they put this developer first.

Let us hope the elected officials of our community always put the people first!
Reach out to Mayor Jim Wood and other City Council members to let them know your opinions and concerns so that we can ensure the development of El Corazon follows the Specific Plan and fairly limits the amount of housing on this beautiful, open space that belongs to us all.

What Can You Spy on the New Nature Trail?
By, Joan Bockman

There are many things to see and appreciate when walking down our new Garrison Creek Trail. See if you can spot these plants and birds!

The trail winds through a number of different habitats as defined by the plants that grow there. On the south (Oceanside Blvd) side, it is higher ground that has been disturbed. Even so, we can see bright green Coyote Bush, taller Mulefat (that looks like willows), and a spectacular Shaw's Agave up on the hill. The occasional Killdeer will scurry ahead of you and spotting a Roadrunner would be a special treat.

As you round the corner, Coastal Sage Scrub grows on one side of the trail with Willow Riparian on the other. Now you are following the creek valley. Up on the hill, the green plants are Lemonade Berry and Toyon, along with various sages and Buckwheats. In May, brightly blooming Monkey Flowers cascaded down. Anna's Hummingbirds flit about and make their sharp clicking-like call. Some large Elderberry trees provide much needed nectar and berries for birds near the yellow daisy flowers of Encelia. The scent of sage (Salvia) and sagebush (Artemisia) fill the air. The large Eucalyptus provides perching for raptors but will eventually be removed since it is not from here. There are many other perching spots farther up the hill. Red Tail Hawks may be arging with the local Crows in a thrilling aerial battle.

The other side is thick with trees. Some are Willows, Box Elder, Sycamore, Elderberry and many other trees are hard to spot among the many Willows but they are there. Bird calls are often heard but the source is hard to find. A patient birder spotted a Yellow-Breasted Chat in the Willows the other day. As you near Mesa Drive, the creek becomes visible along with the Marsh Habitat that is characterized by reeds, bigger Willows and the occasional Egret. If you are lucky, you might spot a few water birds such as Canvas Back Ducks or Herons that migrate between Garrison Creek and the San Luis Rey River.

Plants that are invasive often have noticeable blooms. These will be removed over time so that Nature can flourish! Mustard, Tree Tobacco, Sea Lavender, Ice Plant, Palms, Foxtail grasses and Castor Bean have been seen. Let us know if you'd like to help remove these plants during a planned restoration event planned for later this summer.

FELC Summer Social Date Set

Last year’s event was so much fun and we had such a great member turnout that th Friends of El Corazon are making it an annual event! Join us Friday, July 29th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard of the El Corazon Senior Center.

There will be food, drink, and live music to enjoy along with a raffle for lovely prizes. Discounted ticket prices will be offered to new and renewing members of FELC. All profits from the event will support our plans to complete the View Trail with native plants and a bench. We will also begin installing basic park amenities in the two-acre public park at the entrance to the soccer fields, and provide public information materials about the birds and native plants that can be found along the Garrison Creek Trail. All of these improvements will help engage the community in our park in the heart of Oceanside and enhance the experience of visiting El Corazon!

Mark your calendars and watch for further details and a separate emailed invitation! We hope to see you and your neighbors there!

Events Calendar:
- Friday, June 17 – Concert in the Park at RDO (Visit our booth or volunteer)
- Saturday, July 2 - Oceanside’s Independence Day Parade
(Bring your decorated wagons, your kids and walk in the parade with us!)
- Friday, July 15 - Concert in the Park at RDO Park
- Friday, July 29 - FELC Annual Summer Social – 5:30 to 8 p.m.
(El Corazon Senior Center Patio)
- Sunday, August 14 - Concert in the Park at Melba Bishop Park

Please like us on Facebook to view where we will be in the coming months!