Save Mount Diablo
Protecting the Mountain Since 1971
Newhall North and South Purchased 221 ACRES ON LIME RIDGE ADDED TO OPEN SPACE
In November 1993, the City of WalnutCreek and the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) acquired the 221 acre Newhall North and South parcels encompassing the slopes of Lime Ridge on both sides of Ygnacio Valley Road. The $6 million purchase came after years of controversy over development of the two highly visible areas, which are 80% surrounded by public open space. Protection of both parcels has been a priority for Save Mount Diablo for almost two decades. SMD helped stop several proposed developments on this property and urged the City to consider purchasing it. In 1988 Walnut Creek donated $1,000 to SMD' s Morgan Ranch campaign; as a gesture of support and appreciation, SMD's Board of Directors donated that same amount to the Newhall acquisition effort. Lime Ridge's grassy slopes rise steadily from near downtown Concord to Mount Diablo's summit. It defines a clear border between the cities of Walnut Creek and Concord. Much of Lime Ridge was previously owned by the Cowell Cement Company. Still visible is the Crossroads smokestack in Concord - north of Ygnacio. This land was subsequently sold to the Newhall Land and Farming Company. Newhall later started development of many of its land holdings including those on Lime Ridge.
OPEN SPACE GAP FILLED When citizens approved open space bond funding in the mid 1970's in both Concord and Walnut Creek, park advocates envisioned protection of Shell and Lime Ridges and connections to the State Park. The Open Space District eventually pieced together a preserve on Lime Ridge, but lacked sufficient funds to purchase substantial portions of the property planned for protection. The acquisition of the two Newhall parcels fills in a large gap in the public open space. continued on page 2
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Spring 1994, No.13
BunchGrass Project Receives a Grant The BankAmerica Foundation has joined Save Mount Diablo's efforts in restoring a bunchgrass prairie with a $2,500 environmental grant. The funding will be used to purchase materials and tools (including a small hand mower), fund a public information and interpretive panel, and help pay the costs of volunteer coordination and documentation of the project. Currently, approximately 50 species of grasses are found on Mount Diablo, half of them introduced. The native landscape included perennial bunchgrass grasslands that were very different from the Mediterranean annual grasses found today. After germinating, bunchgrasses put a great deal of their energy into establishing extensive root systems. Growing in spaced continued on page 3
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CalPAW '94 - California Parks & Wildlife Acquisition Board
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Organizations on the Mountain
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Presidents Column
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Announcements
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Celebrate April on the Mountain
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