Twin Pines Ranch near Banning is closing

[halhiker]

The Twin Pines Ranch near Banning is closing. This ranch has been used by the Riverside County Probation Department for over sixty years as a boy's rehabilitation facility. The reason I'm posting this here (aside from it being part of the San Jacinto Mountains) is that the County is going to have to decide what to do with the property and I think it would be a fantastic County Park. It abuts the Western Flank of Mount San Jacinto and would allow access to a large patch of Wilderness (including the ONION) and could open up many hiking possibilities. It would also be a nice camping area in the months that the higher areas are socked in with snow.

http://www.pe.com/articles/ranch-697478 ... evens.html

If you live in Riverside County, write your County Supervisor and float this idea.

http://countyofriverside.us/AbouttheCou ... isors.aspx

[zippetydude]

I don't live in Riverside County but I'm considering taking up temporary residence there so I can vote. Thanks, hal, for the post. C'mon Riverside peoples! Make your voice heard! I think the Onion would be so much fun if we could drive to a point about a mile from the base! It's really a cool destination as long as you watch the forecast!

z

[halhiker]

I sent a note to Supervisor Marion Ashley who represents the District where Twin Pines is located. I'll let you know what I hear. I talked to Supervisor Benoit's office (my District Supervisor) and they said using the land as a park was being considered but nothing at this point has been decided.

The contact info for Supervisor Ashley:

http://district5.co.riverside.ca.us/ope ... index.html

[Ulysses]

I volunteer for RIVCO County Parks and know a few people in the department. I was told (unofficially) that the County would love to turn it into a park. The issue is that when it was dedicated to the County there were some deed restrictions limiting it's use which could preclude it being a park.

I hope they work it out. That would be a wonderful addition to the parks system. I'm wondering if it became a park or is otherwise somehow opened to the public if one could gain access to the National Forest directly from the property?

[cynthia23]

I once had the pleasure of being above the camp area and thought how beautiful it looked--what an amazing park that would make and what a great idea, Hal. I will definitely write in support of this idea.