CONTACT
Julie Smith-Taylor, APR
Public Relations for FELC
760-213-5686
Julie@taylorcoatespr.com

City of Oceanside Officially Opens the Garrison Creek Nature Trail Saturday, April 30th at El Corazon Park
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Planned at 9 a.m. with Guided Walk on Trail to Follow

OCEANSIDE, CA April 13, 2016 – After years of anticipation, residents of Oceanside will soon have access to a mile-long nature trail along Garrison Creek at El Corazon Park. Located in the heart of the city, the park is situated on 465 acres between four major thoroughfares with El Camino Real on the west, Rancho del Oro Drive to the east, Mesa Drive to the north, and Oceanside Boulevard to the south.

This slice of rural life in the center of Oceanside offers respite from encroaching suburbia, while allowing citizens the chance to soak in the peace and tranquility that being in the great outdoors affords. The trail follows prior maintenance roads through mule fat, coastal sage scrub, and riparian habitats along Garrison Creek. The area is home to many sensitive plants and wildlife that can often be seen or heard along the trail. Residents will appreciate not having to travel to San Diego County’s back country to enjoy such a wide expanse of natural space that is now so close to home.

To access the trailhead, enter the park at 3210 Oceanside Blvd. at the Agriservice and Moody’s street entrance, just east of El Camino Real. The trail will be open to the public starting May 2, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

As part of the official opening of the trail, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is being hosted by the Friends of El Corazon, (FELC) a non-profit organization made up of citizens acting as stewards of the Park. FELC is dedicated to the proper implementation of the Park’s Specific Plan adopted by the City in 2009. City Officials and guests of FELC, including its members, will be VIPs at the ceremony. The public is also welcome to attend.

The event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 30th at the trailhead followed by a guided hike of the trail from members of the Audubon Society and FELC.

“We have been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” says Diane Nygaard, president of FELC. “We are so pleased to work with the City on this special occasion and know that our members and all citizens of Oceanside will enjoy this trail for years to come.”

Parking is extremely limited inside the Park, so if anyone plans to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please consider public transportation, carpooling, or riding your bike. There is also parking at the intersection of El Camino Real and Oceanside Blvd. in a nearby shopping center.

A second trail is already open to the public. The View Trail is located behind the Senior Center and meanders along the former sand mining area of El Corazon. It offers beautiful ocean and sunset views. To access this trail, use the Senior Center driveway off of Rancho Del Oro Drive.

Please note that the trails are only open to pedestrians–no motorized vehicles, bicycles or horses are allowed. Dogs on a leash are allowed on both the Garrison Creek Trail and the View Trail at El Corazon Park.

El Corazon Park currently features 20 playing fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and other sports. A Senior Community Center is already on site. Future plans include an Aquatic Complex for sporting and public use, ball fields, tennis courts and a variety of gathering places for citizens of all ages to enjoy. There will be some compatible commercial development to fund the operation of the park.

For more information, visit www.friendsofelcorazon.org.