In 2015, the City of San Diego, in coordination with local community members, began updating the Mission Valley Community Plan, which serves as a blueprint for the future development of the community. After completing extensive research on existing conditions; gathering input from the Mission Valley Community Plan Update Subcommittee, community members, and stakeholders, on topics such as land use, mobility, and parks; and analyzing future conditions, the updated Mission Valley Community Plan was adopted unanimously by the City Council on Sept. 10, 2019.
Regional planners designing the San Diego River Path
The San Diego River Park Master Plan (Master Plan) provides the vision and guidance to reverse this condition, to restore a symbiotic relationship between the river and surrounding communities by creating a river-long park, stretching from the San Diego River headwaters near Julian, to the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach. This plan is the result of the grass roots community efforts begun by the San Diego River Park Alliance (2001) and the San Diego River Park Foundation working in partnership with the City of San Diego.
The River Park and surrounding area include:
- Elimination of “Street I” adjacent to Murphy Canyon Creek, and realignment of Street H to more directly to connect Rancho Mission Road to the project. The road relocation will reduce constraints on wildlife, provide an enhanced passive park buffer along Murphy Canyon Creek, and better connect the River Park to surrounding neighborhoods.
- Expanded trolley plaza to provide enhanced access to the River Park amenities, including bus service.
- Educational platform overlooks providing viewing stations for the natural and riparian habitat within the passive park areas.
The San Diego River Path, which when completed will run along the San Diego River from the ocean to Lakeside, and perhaps farther. Some parts of the path already exist. The Fashion Valley Bike Path is part of the San Diego River Path, and so is the path on the south side of the San Diego River between Mission Center Road and Qualcomm Way. The proposed bike path along the San Diego River between Ward Road and Zion Avenue will be part of the San Diego River Path when it is built.
River Park
On May 20, 2013, the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Master Plan for 17.5 miles of the San Diego River, stretching from the City of Santee to the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach’s world-famous Dog Beach. Needless to say it was a major step. in advancing the vision and dream of the San Diego River Park.
On May 20, 2013, the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Master Plan for 17.5 miles of the San Diego River, stretching from the City of Santee to the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach’s world-famous Dog Beach. Needless to say it was a major step. in advancing the vision and dream of the San Diego River Park.
Encourage Positivity
“It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.”
– Kyle Popper
“I lack a dark side. I lack vindictiveness. Although, I rarely make efforts to curry favor from people who devalue my individuality mainly because it's just a poor use of time. Casting ill will on anyone is counterproductive (although I've been pushed to the limits). It's been my experience in life that most people strive to be kind and considerate and by default will provide you emotional safe harbor even in tense situations.
So, being misunderstood mostly bears inconsequential after effects, however, chilling effects may ensue and sometimes intensify. Relationships often devolve or dissolve based on a single misunderstanding and only time apart may allow resurrection of a relationship between friends, neighbors and colleagues. Often, out of necessity, it's just best to recalibrate, move on and save your soul. Rarely, out of necessity, we resist. Most importantly, when you awake the next day continue to encourage positivity toward everybody as your daily mission in life...”
So, being misunderstood mostly bears inconsequential after effects, however, chilling effects may ensue and sometimes intensify. Relationships often devolve or dissolve based on a single misunderstanding and only time apart may allow resurrection of a relationship between friends, neighbors and colleagues. Often, out of necessity, it's just best to recalibrate, move on and save your soul. Rarely, out of necessity, we resist. Most importantly, when you awake the next day continue to encourage positivity toward everybody as your daily mission in life...”
– Mr. Martin, Mayor of the Fire Lane
Courtesy of the County of San Diego
Department of Planning and Land Use
Multiple Species Conservation Program
5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92123
www.mscp-sandiego.org
RIPARIAN VEGETATION COMMUNITY: SCRUB, WOODLAND, and FOREST
As a wetland, Riparian Vegetation is one of the most sensitive habitats in California. It has suffered the loss of thousands of acres as the result of clearing in the floodplains for agriculture, sand mining operations, and transportation corridors. Current estimates are that there are roughly 29,000 acres of Riparian Vegetation in the County, but much of that is now in fragmented patches rather than extensive stream courses. Good examples of Riparian Vegetation exist in Mission
Valley near the San Diego Stadium, and adjacent to the Fashion Valley shopping center. This type of vegetation may still be seen in the San Pasqual Valley, around Lake Hodges, on the San Dieguito River, San Luis Rey River, Sweetwater River, and Santa Margarita River. Riparian Vegetation exists along stream and valley bottoms as well as deep canyons in areas where the water table is not far below the soil surface. At one time, all of the major riverbeds in San Diego County supported extensive areas of Riparian Forest.
When Riparian Vegetation is preserved, a surprising number of plant and animal species are protected. The indicator species for the presence of Riparian Vegetation are: several species of Willows, the broad-leaved Cottonwoods, Sycamore, and Mule fat, a shrub with greasy scented leaves.
The Willow, Cottonwood and Sycamore trees are winter deciduous. Riparian Vegetation is one of the most significant vegetation communities for wildlife. It is vital to many bird species including the endangered Least bell’s vireo and Willow flycatcher, as well as the more common American goldfinch, Yellow warbler, and Long eared owl. Small carnivores that inhabit Riparian vegetation include Spotted and Striped skunks, raccoons, and bobcats. Riparian Vegetation and associated stream courses are critical for a variety of amphibians including the endangered Arroyo southwestern toad, Pacific tree frog, and Western toad.
Riparian Vegetation in the desert region includes an unusually large Mesquite forest in Borrego Valley near the Borrego Sink. Mesquite Woodland, sometimes called Mesquite Bosque, consists of a dense woodland of Honey and Screwbean mesquite trees.
Valley near the San Diego Stadium, and adjacent to the Fashion Valley shopping center. This type of vegetation may still be seen in the San Pasqual Valley, around Lake Hodges, on the San Dieguito River, San Luis Rey River, Sweetwater River, and Santa Margarita River. Riparian Vegetation exists along stream and valley bottoms as well as deep canyons in areas where the water table is not far below the soil surface. At one time, all of the major riverbeds in San Diego County supported extensive areas of Riparian Forest.
When Riparian Vegetation is preserved, a surprising number of plant and animal species are protected. The indicator species for the presence of Riparian Vegetation are: several species of Willows, the broad-leaved Cottonwoods, Sycamore, and Mule fat, a shrub with greasy scented leaves.
The Willow, Cottonwood and Sycamore trees are winter deciduous. Riparian Vegetation is one of the most significant vegetation communities for wildlife. It is vital to many bird species including the endangered Least bell’s vireo and Willow flycatcher, as well as the more common American goldfinch, Yellow warbler, and Long eared owl. Small carnivores that inhabit Riparian vegetation include Spotted and Striped skunks, raccoons, and bobcats. Riparian Vegetation and associated stream courses are critical for a variety of amphibians including the endangered Arroyo southwestern toad, Pacific tree frog, and Western toad.
Riparian Vegetation in the desert region includes an unusually large Mesquite forest in Borrego Valley near the Borrego Sink. Mesquite Woodland, sometimes called Mesquite Bosque, consists of a dense woodland of Honey and Screwbean mesquite trees.
Mission Valley | Parkway Bridge
City, SDSU moving forward with plans for Mission Valley bridge over San Diego River.
City, SDSU moving forward with plans for Mission Valley bridge over San Diego River.
Fenton Parkway Bridge is currently envisioned as a two-lane road that would extend Fenton Parkway south over the San Diego River to Camino Del Rio North at grade with the trolley crossing and would accommodate cars, bikes and pedestrians. Today, the road abruptly ends at the Fenton Parkway trolley station, behind the IKEA-anchored Fenton Marketplace immediately adjacent to SDSU Mission Valley.
The multi-use bridge has been contemplated in various forms since the 1980s, most recently as an essential component of the new community plan to cushion the blow of 50,000 new residents. It resurfaced in 2019 as a sticking point when the city of San Diego was negotiating the sale of its Mission Valley stadium site to SDSU. The school went on to purchase 135 acres of land along Friars Road in August 2020 for $88 million, with a commitment in the purchase and sale agreement to build the bridge prior to occupying 65 percent of the site.
Source:
Fenton Parkway Bridge
The multi-use bridge has been contemplated in various forms since the 1980s, most recently as an essential component of the new community plan to cushion the blow of 50,000 new residents. It resurfaced in 2019 as a sticking point when the city of San Diego was negotiating the sale of its Mission Valley stadium site to SDSU. The school went on to purchase 135 acres of land along Friars Road in August 2020 for $88 million, with a commitment in the purchase and sale agreement to build the bridge prior to occupying 65 percent of the site.
Source:
Fenton Parkway Bridge
"Our Fire Lane Binds Our Community Together.”
Hi Lateefah,
Hope all is well with you and your family. The precious photo you emailed of your cute daughter in her school classroom with her Dad enjoying donuts brought an indelible memory to the forefront of my mind.
When I was a young boy attending Geronimo Elementary School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma I twisted my right ankle playing tetherball during morning class recess. When I returned to my classroom and to my assigned first row seat I was quietly suffering severe pain as my ankle continued to swell and throb as lunchtime approached. My teacher, Mrs. Bostwick, excused the students in class for lunch promptly at noon. However, I sat paralyzed in the moment and remained in my seat while the classroom cleared. For some inexplicable reason I refused to move even at the earnest behest of my kind and patient teacher. I managed to withold my tears and remain as small and stoic as possible.
Hope all is well with you and your family. The precious photo you emailed of your cute daughter in her school classroom with her Dad enjoying donuts brought an indelible memory to the forefront of my mind.
When I was a young boy attending Geronimo Elementary School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma I twisted my right ankle playing tetherball during morning class recess. When I returned to my classroom and to my assigned first row seat I was quietly suffering severe pain as my ankle continued to swell and throb as lunchtime approached. My teacher, Mrs. Bostwick, excused the students in class for lunch promptly at noon. However, I sat paralyzed in the moment and remained in my seat while the classroom cleared. For some inexplicable reason I refused to move even at the earnest behest of my kind and patient teacher. I managed to withold my tears and remain as small and stoic as possible.
As I sat solitary in the classroom, Mrs. Bostwick gently inquired what was wrong and why I wouldn't rise from my desk to join my classmates. I stubbornly refused to reveal to her that my ankle was injured and that I was incapable of standing or walking. Why was I so reticent admitting to my teacher such a simple truth? I’m oblivious as to why I resisted her pleas, even to this day. As an experienced teacher yourself, Lateefah, you know more than most why kids are so puzzling and act in odd, mysterious ways. So, what happened next?
Twenty minutes passed by as I sat mute at my desk staring out the classroom window beyond the sunny horizon shared by billowing clouds. Now remember, twenty minutes is an hour in kids’ time and all the while I anxiously contemplated my immediate dilemma with no resolution in sight. I figured I’ll just be stuck in this permanent purgatorial space forever—helplessly doomed. The next thing I see in my periphery is my Dad suddenly appearing in my classroom in full military uniform…
MY DAD IS HERE!… inside MY elementary school classroom with dimensional spaces and boundaries designed just for small kids, teachers notwithstanding. Boy, was I surprised and extremely happy to see my Dad and my excited facial expression reflected my voluminous joy. With a purposeful gait, he hastened toward me, unveiled my issue, picked me up and effortlessly hoisted me up high above his shoulders. Dad elevated me so high I could reach up and touch the fluorescent white lights in the classroom ceiling. My legs were secured by Dad's strong hands and I swayed confidently on his solid shoulders. I was so high up in the air I began to feel super powerful. With renewed posture, I gazed far downward at Mrs. Bostwick and exchanged reassuring grins as my Dad and I escaped my self-imposed confinement.
Off we galloped, my Dad and me, like unbridled circus performers out my classroom door. My ankle feigned healing prematurely as I surveyed from above my superior new vantage point; my wiggled body springing up and down from the upward motion of each of my Dad's broad strides down the tunneled school hallway. I was giggling and willfully ignored the throbbing pain sensations in my ankle because now I was safe, secure and enjoined with my trustful Dad. At my Dad's instruction, I ducked my head as we exited the school's reinforced glass front doors toward the family's gleaming, black Pontiac LeMans.
Artificially tall and visually advantaged, I was now liberated outside into the open Oklahoma blue skies. Perfectly perched atop my Dad's steady shoulders, we zigzagged across the striped cement parking lot toward our family car. We drove off together to the military hospital clinic. After the attendant doctor wrapped up my severely sprained ankle, my Dad and I drove homeward toward our residence on Lester Road where I enjoyed lunch, rested and recovered during the remaining hours of the sunny day.
Lateefah, I'll never forget the rest of my life the day my Daddy rushed from work to Geronimo Elementary School to rescue me from my personal classroom drama and escort me to the Army hospital clinic. I love my Daddy too!
Keep the Faith,
Mr. Martin
