Results tagged “Wildwood Canyon State Park” from Yucaipa Now

Wildwood Canyon State Park to stay towerless.

YUCAIPA - Residents of Yucaipa and Oak Glen can celebrate victory after the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to uphold an appeal against the proposal of an 80-foot radio tower adjacent to Wildwood Canyon State Park.

After over three hours of testimony from speakers voicing their opposition to the proposed tower adjacent to Wildwood Canyon State Park, Neil Derry and the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to uphold an appeal stop Lazerʼs Broadcastingʼs 80-ft radio tower.

CPRL supporters and community leaders Frank Sissons and Dottie Potter were among those who brought maps, diagrams, photos and literature noting the importance of preserving Wildwood Canyon State Park. In addition mayors and council members from Yucaipa, Highland and Redlands joined together in the fight and spoke against the tower noting that building the tower that close to protected land will spoil vistas and discourage recreational use of the park.

These key speakers and the support of over 1,000 people throughout the region helped secure the 5-0 vote in favor of upholding the appeal filed by the Citizens for the Preservation of Rural Living.

The vote in favor of the appeal goes against the planning commission's original approval of the project in November, the decision will be finalized at the March 3rd hearing when legal findings denying the project will be presented to the supervisors.

Environmental groups seek to preserve Wildwood Canyon State Park's natural vistas by keeping proposed 80-foot high media tower from being built.

YUCAIPA - The time has come! Our last opportunity to present our case to the County of San Bernardino is finally here. Our appeal before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has been scheduled Tuesday, January 27th at 9 a.m.

Over 700 individuals and local environmental groups have signed the petition against the tower that threatens Wildwood Canyon State. Every signature counts in our effort to preserve our natural vistas, protect our hikers and horse riders, and prevent further permanent damage to our wildlife but attending in person sends a much stronger message.

Proposed building of radio tower a visual concern for supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Elena Harshaw drives nearly 40 miles from her Corona home to hike in Wildwood Canyon State Park with her Yucaipa friends.

She loves the peace and quiet. She loves seeing horseback riders and hikers cantering and walking the parks many winding trails. The park is absolutely beautiful, she said.

But if a communications tower is built in the park, the park's natural beauty and the land on which the tower is proposed to be built would be tarnished, she said.

"We found out about six months ago that Lazer Broadcasting (Corporation), a major communications company wants to build a communications tower in the park," Harshaw said.

Flood and fire help halt urban spread

Horseback riders rode through all kinds of terrain including a
canopy covered woodlands of California and Black Oak trees.

YUCAIPA - If not for a flood and a fire, the scenery in the east end of Yucaipa could be a whole lot different.

In the mid 1990s, two custom home developments were being vigorously pursued - the Birmingham Project and the Porter Ranch Development. Both projects would have added hundreds of custom homes to the 900 acres of hills, meadows, and canyons that spread across the northeast side of Yucaipa.

But the fire and flood devastated much of the terrain, and along with it the development plans. Ultimately paving the way for what eventually became Wildwood Canyon State Park.

"The fire and the flooding in the 1990s changed the nature of the civil engineering and would have required a redesign," said Claire Teeters, secretary of Supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park. The Supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park was organized to preserve the park and to promote its use by the public.

Saddle up for a ride in the park

Own a horse? Looking for somewhere to ride tomorrow? Then you may want to saddle up and join in the fun at Willdwood Canyon State Park in Yucaipa.

Horseback riders will ride the trails in the park, then come back for Chili-Dog treats. No hiking is planned. No bikes or motorcycles allowed.

"There's miles and miles of winding trails and ridges," said Ray Monroe, vice president of Supporters of Wildwood Canyon State Park. "There's wildlife such as deer, bobcat, mountain lion, coyotes, rabbits, and bear. There is always something to see."

The 900-acre park has two historic ranches, The McCullough, also referred to as the "High Up Ranch," and the Hunt Ranch. Both ranches have state park designation, said Monroe. And they are near the trails for riders to see.

The ride begins Saturday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. with the day's activities lasting until about noon. Wildwood Canyon Park is located off Canyon Road (located near Wildwood Canyon Park), which branches off Wildwood Canyon Drive.

For more information visit www.wildwoodcanyonstatepark.com. Visit the website for directions to the park, and for trail guides. Or call Claire Marie Teeters at (909) 831-5410, or Ray Monroe at (909) 214-9405.