Ramona Grasslands Preserve Project

The Ramona Grasslands Preserve Project, managed by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, focuses on resource management and recreational improvements for the 3,490-acre preserve located in unincorporated San Diego County. The overall scope includes the establishment of an 8.6-mile multi-use trail system consisting of 6.5 miles of existing and 2.1 miles of new trails, the construction of 2.0 miles of pathways along Highland Valley and Rangeland Roads, and various supporting infrastructure improvements. Specific current efforts involve the Northwest Portion Reroute, which requires the closure and passive restoration of 1.1 miles of the Old Survey Road 97 trail and the construction of a 1.26-mile rerouted alignment. These changes aim to open the trails for year-round use by hikers, cyclists, and equestrians while eliminating previous seasonal restrictions and permit requirements. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act and the North County-MSCP Plan, with a Mitigated Negative Declaration confirming no significant environmental impacts. Key infrastructure requirements include the creation of an ADA-accessible primitive amphitheatre and a ranger station facility featuring a two-space decomposed granite accessible parking lot and motion sensor security lighting. Environmental protections are a priority, requiring the avoidance of impacts on species such as the arroyo toad, San Diego fairy shrimp, and southern tarplant, as well as the implementation of research and data recovery programs for significant prehistoric resources. Construction and maintenance activities must be scheduled to avoid rainy periods to prevent burrow collapse and ensure the protection of natural and cultural resources.