Thanks to support from the community and our partners at the City of San Diego and grantors, the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation made big strides on major park initiatives in 2023.
From continuing to build out our educational offerings to staging Mission Trails’ 30th photo contest and making progress on a land acquisition program, to hosting a holiday marketplace that brought 1,100 charity-minded shoppers to the Visitor Center, the MTRP Foundation had quite a year.
As we look ahead to 2024, we are excited by what’s to come and some of the new programs and events on the horizon.
Later this year, we will mark the 50th anniversary of the purchase of Cowles Mountain.
In 1974, thanks to a group of involved citizens, Cowles Mountain was spared from development and acquired for public use. Since then, it’s become the most popular hike in San Diego. Be on the lookout later this year for events organized to mark Cowles Mountain’s 50-year milestone.
In May of 2021, the Bridge for Max project was unanimously approved by the Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force and Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
A few months later, a $1.5 million grant from the State of California was allocated to the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation to help fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the San Diego River near the San Diego River Crossing Trail. Environmental studies and planning are well underway, and much progress toward its construction will be made in 2024.
For those who enjoy learning, there will be many opportunities for you.
Families with toddlers will be pleased to know that the MTRP Foundation will be adding four more Trail Tykes sessions each month, beginning February 2024. The new sessions of this immensely popular program will take place every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30-4:30PM at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. The expansion of the program has been made possible through a grant from the Dr. Seuss Foundation. While free, registration is required; sign up through the MTRP website.
We have an exciting roster of lectures and film screenings coming this spring, and they will be announced first to those who receive the Mission Trails eNewsletter and follow the park’s Facebook and/or Instagram accounts.
You can always find out about the park’s events the events calendar at mtrp.org/events. You may sign up to receive email communications at mtrp.org.
There are many ways to enjoy Mission Trails in 2024.
Whether you choose to volunteer at the park, work towards your fitness goals, learn to identify birds, or simply spend time in nature, we look forward to sharing Mission Trails with you.
Photo credit: Jennifer Sing
