|
|
|
11/1/2008 - Follow the Orange Blossom TrailFollow the Orange Blossom Trail By Karen Bergman Everyone agrees that Redlands is a special city with a unique history. Sprinkled throughout the Victorian-era and Craftsman-style homes are houses from the 1950s and ‘60s, as well as representatives of the succeeding decades. We have bridged the gap in our residential areas with the mix of old and new buildings and continue to pursue blending the new with the historic aspects of our downtown business section. Business is not the only community development on the minds of our residents, though. Slowly winding its way through the maze of city planning is a recreational project that reaches into the past to provide opportunities for the future. The Orange Blossom Trail is a bicycle and pedestrian path that wanders seven-and-a-half miles from Mentone, through Redlands, and out to Mountain View Avenue in Loma Linda, loosely following old rail lines. The Dangermond Group has prepared a detailed master plan for the trail, and it seems they have thought of everything. The bare bones plan will keep costs down, with no added lighting along the way. Those enjoying the trail will use the existing restroom and drinking fountains in the nearby or adjacent parks. Landscaping will be restricted to street crossings, though some shade trees will be planted along the trail. The path is projected to be between eight and fourteen feet wide with paved areas for wheeled conveyance, as well as reinforced, decomposed granite for the pedestrian traffic. When completed, one might see bicyclists, moms with kids in strollers, a neighbor in a wheelchair enjoying newly accessible surroundings, and someone out for an invigorating walk. It could be used for recreation and an alternate, non-motorized route to work or school. It would link Redlands’ parks – like Crafton, Sylvan, and Jennie Davis – with Sun Park in Loma Linda. From east to west, Redlands East Valley High, Crafton Elementary, Redlands High, The Montessori School, Redlands Adventist Academy, and Arrowhead Christian Academy would all have easy access to the trail. A well researched and entirely reason-ably estimate to create this lovely trail is $1,020,000 per mile, including minimal landscaping and irrigation drips – a staggering $7,650,000 at today’s prices. Plans are in place to pursue the funds through federal and state grants, transportation bonds, assessment fees or developers’ contributions, in 13 installments over a span of 20 years. Each generation has its challenge to pass along an even better city, an even better environment for its children and grandchildren. We enjoy the legacy of those who helped build the Redlands Bowl, preserve Prospect Park and, even earlier, to construct a library for the new town of Redlands. Perhaps the Orange Blossom Trail will be a part of the legacy that conjures up fond memories of this generation of Redlands-area residents.
Source: < Back |