Wilderness Park Wanted
By Stephen Wall, San Bernardino County Sun, Calif.
Feb. 19–GRAND TERRACE — Razor wire and wrought-iron fencing block entry to the city’s most visible landmark.
But one man hopes to unlock the gates and remove the “No Trespassing” signs on Blue Mountain.
Longtime resident Denis Kidd wants to create a network of wilderness trails on the mountain overlooking the city.
Most of the roughly 500-acre mountain is privately owned land in Grand Terrace, Colton and Riverside County.
“I want to preserve Blue Mountain as a wilderness park for hiking, horseback riding and (nonmotorized) mountain biking,” said Kidd, a 64-year-old avocado grower who owns about 140 acres on the mountain. “When I die, I want the land to be saved.”
Kidd plans to donate about 100 acres of his property for the project. He is working with government officials and environmental groups to assemble other land for the trail system.
Last year, Kidd founded a nonprofit organization called Friends of Blue Mountain to secure money to purchase and protect the mountain.
The group plans to ask the cities of Colton and Grand Terrace to support a resolution agreeing to collaborate on the effort.
“I’m always open to looking at trails and open space and allowing people to have those types of activities to make for a healthier community,” said Colton Mayor Kelly Chastain.
Grand Terrace owns about 20 acres east of Observation Drive that could be incorporated in the trail plan.
City officials have expressed support.
“I think it’s important to have open space and walking trails, plus Blue Mountain is the icon for the city of Grand Terrace,” said Assistant City Manager Steve Berry. “People for generations have walked on that hill. It’s basically locked up.”
Much of the land on Blue Mountain cannot be built on because the terrain is too steep.
Property owners could be offered tax write-offs if they donate land for the trail project, officials said.
“We’re hoping that other people will have the same inspiration (Kidd) has to make that kind of donation,” said Jane Block, a member of the Riverside Land Conservancy, which is working with Friends of Blue Mountain.
Kidd said his long-range goal is to connect the Blue Mountain trail network with the neighboring Box Springs Mountain Park between Riverside and Moreno Valley.
While most of Blue Mountain is inaccessible from Grand Terrace, some hikers and runners go up from Reche Canyon in Colton with the verbal permission of the landowners.
“The concern is if there are areas that are going to be developed, we would like it to be compatible with having access to the mountain,” said Jane Lawrence-Gunn, a frequent hiker on the mountain. “It would be a shame to have this wild place not available for public enjoyment. It’s a unique respite from the busy Inland Empire traffic and hustle and bustle below.”
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