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Post date: Dec 4, 2018 4:27:57 PM
October 30, 2018 by Julie Gallant
The push for a Santa Maria Creek Greenway continues with efforts to develop creative ideas for marketing the concept of a trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Six community members advocating for a park-like trails system came together at the Ramona Library on Oct. 24 to discuss positive slogans for their campaign. They unanimously selected “Ramona’s Greenway Connection.”
They said the phrase expresses an emotional connection between the greenway and the community, and also the physical connections the proposed greenway makes between Wellfield Park and the Ramona Grasslands Preserve as well as connections from a trail to Ramona’s downtown and shopping centers.
The vision for the greenway encompasses a trail along the Santa Maria Creek path north of Main Street and state Route 67 and potentially a park and educational nature center.
Ed Spaeth, one of the attendees and a Ramona Trails Association member, said people are already creating a network of dirt paths, primarily to get from apartments to stores in town.
The goal is to promote the greenway concept to Ramona’s diverse community. The Ramona Greenway Connection catchphrase is the launching point for creating a survey and online presence that could include a Facebook page.
Sandi Peterson suggested at the meeting that they create fliers with information about the greenway. The fliers could be posted in Ramona business windows and at recreational areas such as a kiosk bulletin board on the south side of Wellfield Park, she said.
“People could stop when they’re hiking,” Peterson said. “With an educational flier, I can see that starting to spark peoples’ interest.”
Outreach efforts would focus on asking questions to gauge community interest and concerns with the greenway, presenting greenway proposals and gathering feedback. Next steps would be to produce a flier, a survey and establish an online presence.
Ramona Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Davis suggested the literature include information about the security elements associated with a greenway. He said a cleared trail would improve access for first responders during an emergency such as a fire.
“Safety is an issue,” Davis said. “One of these days when there’s a red flag warning a fire might burn into town or into residences. A trail gives safety access and not only creates connections to the community but also allows us the safety capability to get in there.”
Other issues the group considered were peoples’ reaction to a greenway disturbing wildlife.
Ramona Trails Association President Glen Morgan said when cameras are posted on trails it shows people use them during the day and wildlife uses them at night.
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob is expected to attend the next Santa Maria Creek Greenway meeting set for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Ramona Library Community Room. The meeting will be open to the public. Greenway organizers plan to create an agenda with opportunity for public comments.
Copyright © 2018, Ramona Sentinel
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