We at the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation are excited to share that we recently closed escrow on 55 acres that will become part of the park.

Both the MTRP Foundation and the City of San Diego are actively working to purchase land to expand the park; acquiring parcels is one of the 12 priority projects derived from Mission Trails’ 2019 Master Plan Update.

In fall 2022, the MTRP Foundation received a $2 million grant from the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) — an independent and non-regulatory state agency – to buy parcels and expand the park in the East Elliott Community Planning Area north of State Route 52 and west of Mast Boulevard. Parcels in East Elliott are under private ownership and fall within Mission Trails’ boundaries.

The 55 acres that closed escrow in mid-April will be donated to the City of San Diego. This acquisition is the first of several thanks to a second $2 million grant from SDRC to the MTRP Foundation.

This funding supports conservation and will provide increased public access, therefore fostering environmental stewardship. These parcels will eventually include new trails and trail linkages when more land is purchased.

The MTRP Foundation is grateful to the Governing Board and staff of SDRC for helping to move our land acquisition initiative forward and thank the MTRP Foundation’s donors for providing the funding that allows our organization to advance this and other priority projects at Mission Trails.

Want to support Mission Trails’ mission of preserving, protecting, and growing our beloved park? Consider becoming a member of the MTRP Foundation’s Stewardship Society. You can help restore and expand habitat, maintain trails, provide educational programs, and advance projects and initiatives at the park.

Donors making recurring monthly or one-time gifts receive special benefits, and your contribution could benefit you at tax time.

Donate to support the work of the MTRP Foundation at www.mtrp.org/donate or call (619) 668-3280.

Photo credit: Jayna McLeod