MROSD buys its first Coastside property

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) Board of Directors voted unanimously last night to purchase the 183-acre Peninsula Open Space Trust/Forde property near Half Moon Bay.  This is the District’s first purchase on the Coastside and its first board meeting here.

The property is adjacent to the District’s Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. It includes the headwaters of Lobitos Creek, a likely spawning area for the federally threatened steelhead, and the scenic top of Irish Ridge, which affords views of the Tunitas Creek and Lobitos Creek watersheds, coastal ranches, and the Pacific Ocean. A mixed evergreen forest of Douglas fir and redwood, including a few first growth trees, characterize a portion of the property’s landscape.

This story is based on MROSD’s press release. Click "read more" to see the full press release.

For Immediate Release Contact:  Rudy Jurgensen April 7, 2005                   Public Affairs Manager                           (650) 691-1200 OPEN SPACE DISTRICT MAKES FIRST LAND PURCHASE IN COASTSIDE PROTECTION AREA

—At its First Public Meeting on the Coast, District Board Unanimously Approves Purchase of 183-Acre Property in Half Moon Bay—

LOS ALTOS, CA [April 7, 2005] - The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously last night to purchase the 183-acre Peninsula Open Space Trust/Forde property near Half Moon Bay. This was the first property considered by the Board of Directors for purchase within the Coastside Protection Area, which was added to the District’s boundaries in September 2004.  It was also the District’s first public meeting held on the coast to ensure full opportunity for participation by coastside residents.

"With tonight’s decision the District has begun the process to protect the coastside’s truly unique scenic beauty and its rural and agricultural heritage," said Larry Hassett, President of the District’s Board of Directors.  "It is a tremendous victory for anyone who cares about the future of this area."

"We congratulate the District on the purchase of the property," said Audrey Rust, President of Peninsula Open Space Trust. "The 183-acre property has wonderful recreational, natural and scenic value."

The property is located adjacent to the District’s Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and is a natural extension of the existing preserve. Two predominant features of the property include the headwaters of Lobitos Creek, a likely spawning area for the federally threatened steelhead, and the scenic top of Irish Ridge, which affords unparalleled views of the Tunitas Creek and Lobitos Creek Watersheds, coastal ranches, and the Pacific Ocean. A mixed evergreen forest of Douglas fir and redwood, including a few first growth trees, characterize a portion of the property’s landscape. The land also provides a home for a variety of wildlife, including prime habitat for deer and mountain lion.

"The purchase of this land represents a significant moment in the District’s history and in its protection of open space," said District General Manager Craig Britton. "The District will be able to protect valuable habitat, watershed and scenic resources, and provide opportunities for the public and future generations to enjoy coastside open space."

Many roads and trails on the property offer the potential to expand the existing public trail system, including a possible regional trail link in the proposed trail to the sea that would connect Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve and the Bay Area Ridge Trail to the California Coastal Trail. Neighbors have also expressed interest in hiking and equestrian access to the property.

The District, through the Habitat Conservation Fund grant program and the Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2002 (Proposition 40), is seeking a total of $1,925,000 in grant funding towards the purchase of the property, or approximately 86% of the overall purchase price.   

Created by voters more than 30 years ago, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has successfully protected and managed nearly 50,000 acres of open space. The public enjoys the District’s diverse and beautiful preserves 365 days a year. The District is an independent, non-enterprise, California special district whose mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. www.openspace.org