Figure 5-9: Potential Site C1

FIGURE 5-9: Potential Site C1

5.2.2 Trail Recommendations

Developing new trails in open space was ranked third in the statistically valid survey and was mentioned frequently at the public workshops, stakeholder interviews, and intercept surveys. A top area for developing new hiking trails is in the existing open space along Oceanside’s boundary with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (see Figure 5-10). There are many City of Oceanside owned lands along this border. There are also many non-profit and land conservancy owned land. Where a proposed trail cannot connect through an existing residential development, the trail could connect to the San Luis Rey River trail and then connect back up once it is past the residential area. It is also recommended that the City communicate with the Marine Corps base about bringing the trail onto the federal property to get around the residential portion. This is high quality open space with steep hills and canyons. This is Oceanside’s only potential for a significant and extensive hiking trail system. The trail could run mostly east/west and could be about 11 miles long and connect through the canyon to the east of Oceanside Golf Course and then connect to Luiseño Park. A future Trails Master Plan would need to determine land ownership, environmental constraints and technical feasibilities for trail development.

Another potential area for a trail (hiking and/or biking) is along the Loma Alta Creek. This is all publicly owned land and could provide another great east/west trail, approximately 8 miles long. It could begin/terminate at Bucanneer Beach Park and can connect to the Coastal Rail Trail. It could connect to Palisades Park, Joseph Sepulveda Park, and with a short ride on Rancho Del Oro Drive, Mira Costa College. It could also connect with Guajome Regional Park via Melrose Drive and then connect to the existing San Luis Rey River Trail. The San Luis Rey River Trail is highly popular trail. It is recommended that this trail be extended further to the east, to Oceanside’s border, adjacent to the river bed. This would add approximately three miles to the trail.

On the Park Infill Improvement Maps in Chapter 4, there are several trails that are recommended at various parks. These can be less costly opportunities to increase the recreational opportunities at the parks and research has shown that when there is a walking trail at a park, it increases the overall usage of that park by 70 percent. 5.2.3 Opportunity Area Priorities

On pages 48-97, potential infill of existing parks is detailed through tables, figures, and narrative descriptions. The following facilities and locations should be given priority due to current and projected deficit, lack of facilities in the area, lack of school facilities in the area, and lack of non-profit recreation providers in the area. Based on the criteria above, the following are priorities for park infill:

Disc golf: Joseph Sepulveda Park, Lion’s Club

Park, and Oceanside Municipal Golf Course. Dog park: Capistrano Park, South Oceanside

Park, El Corazon, and Bucaneer Park. Gym: Buddy Todd Park, El Corazon, Joseph Sepulveda Park, and/or South Oceanside School Park. Outdoor gym/exercise equipment: Joe Balderrama Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and/or Melba Bishop Park. Pickleball: Melba Bishop Park, Alamosa Park, Joe

Balderrama Park, Mance Buchanon Park, Ron Ortega Recreation Park, and/or Lion’s Club Park. Pool: proposed at El Corazon. Skate spot: Ron Ortega Recreation Park, Spring

Creek Park, Tyson Street Park or Buccaneer Park,

Buddy Todd Park, Alamosa Park (or could be a skate park), Joseph Carrasco Park, and Spring Creek Park. Tennis: Ron Ortega Recreation Park, Fireside

Park, and/or Spring Creek Park. Volleyball (sand): Joseph Sepulveda Park, Martin

Luther King Jr. Park, and/or Oak Riparian Park. Basketball courts: MLK Jr. Park, Rancho Del Oro

Park, Joe Balderrama Park, and Tyson Street Park. Sports Fields: proposed at El Corazon

5.2.4 Park Connectivity Suggestions

It is recommended that the City update their current Bike and Pedestrian Plan either in conjunction with or in addition to the recommended Trails Master Plan. This planning process will decipher what mobility improvements should be made to facilitate active modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and transit. The plan should also recommend improvements to public infrastructure to better connect parks to the community, to make them easy and safe to get to by an active mode of transportation, and be well connected to each other.