San Diego CA— Pardee Homes, working with conservation groups Preserve Wild Santee, Center for Biological Diversity and California Chaparral Institute, will dedicate 178 acres of open space to the City of San Diego to be included as part of Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP).
“Mission Trails Regional Park is truly a jewel in the City of San Diego’s world class parks system,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “It isn’t often that 178 acres in the middle of an urban region are dedicated to park use, making this act of environmental preservation truly significant. Partnerships such as this will make our city more sustainable and enjoyable for all San Diego residents, visitors and future generations.”
The open space dedication is the result of a 2014 agreement and subsequent negotiations between Pardee Homes and the conservation groups to further enhance the Weston (formerly known as Castlerock) master planned community, a 415-home residential community located near the park just off of State Route 52 and north of Mast Boulevard. The collaboration ensures protections for Quail Canyon Creek and makes land available to benefit people, sensitive wildlife and plants. The 178 acres of open space being dedicated is in addition to nearly half of the 204-acre Weston site that will also be preserved as permanent open space.
“As a lifelong outdoorsman and elected representative for the area, I am excited to see Mission Trails, a true gem in the regional park system, grow by nearly 200 acres,” said San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman. “The hard work and collaboration between various local authorities and Pardee Homes will ensure the growth and success of the park for many years to come.”
The Weston community is the result of more than 10 years of planning and collaboration among the cities of San Diego and Santee, the Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Mission Trails Regional Park, conservation groups, community members and other key organizations. Home building is currently underway at Weston, and model homes are expected to open for sale in the last quarter of this year.
“We are firmly committed to enhancing our region and the communities in which we build,” said Jimmy Ayala, Division President, Pardee Homes. “We are excited to collaborate on this important dedication of land and look forward to dedicating this space to the City and the people while providing much-needed quality housing options to the area.”
The dedication will help Mission Trails park expand to nearly 7,400 acres and further solidify it as one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
“The dedication of this scenic wildlife habitat will be a crucial step forward for our greater vision of linking Mission Trails Regional Park with Sycamore Canyon Preserve,” said Van Collinsworth of Preserve Wild Santee. “Broad healthy linkages of habitat are essential for the survival and recovery of threatened and endangered species such as the California gnatcatcher and the Quino Checkerspot butterfly.”
About Pardee Homes
Established in 1921, Pardee Homes is recognized for superior master-planning concepts, quality construction, energy-efficient building practices, responsive customer service, and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds. Pardee Homes was one of the first builders in San Diego to embrace sustainable building practices and continues to build consideration for the planet into every home and community. Pardee Homes is a member of TRI Pointe Group (NYSE: TPH), a family of premium regional homebuilders supported by the significant resources, economies of scale and thought leadership of a national foundation. The family also includes Maracay Homes in Arizona, Quadrant Homes in Washington, Trendmaker Homes in Texas, TRI Pointe Homes in California and Colorado, and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Virginia – all together making TRI Pointe Group one of the largest homebuilding companies in the U.S. For more information please visit www.pardeehomes.com.
About Preserve Wild Santee
Preserve Wild Santee (founded in 1994) is Santee’s oldest and most effective community environmental organization. PWS works to protect and expand Mission Trails Regional Park by linking it to Sycamore Canyon Preserve over East Elliott and Fanita Ranch scenic wild lands. By engaging in land use decisions, we produce a more healthy community with cleaner air, greater recreational opportunities, more scenic views, less traffic congestion and more informed decisions from our public officials. Lean more about Preserve Wild Santee here: https://www.facebook.com/PreserveWildSantee/.
About Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. The Center for Biological Diversity works to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive. We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive. The Center for Biological Diversity has earned many awards from nonprofit reviewing entities; for example, we’re top rated by GreatNonprofits, CharityWatch and Philanthropedia; we’re a member of UideStar’s exchange program and we’ve earned a “Best in America” award from Independent Charities of America. We’re a 501(c)3 organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible. Learn more about supporting the Center here: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/support/index.html.
About California Chaparral Institute
The California Chaparral Institute is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) association of scientists, wildland firefighters, naturalists and educators, who value the chaparral as both a valuable resource and a place to enjoy the wilderness. Our work promotes an understanding and respect for the chaparral and the Mediterranean climate in which most Californians live. Learn more about supporting the Institute here: http://www.californiachaparral.org.