Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail Nature Preserve Master Plan 2010 1
FRED WOLFF BEAR CREEK NATURE PRESERVE
MASTER PLAN
OCTOBER 2010
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FRED WOLFF BEAR CREEK NATURE PRESERVE
MASTER PLAN
Introduction
The City of La Quinta is distinguished by its beautiful views of the Santa
Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. These views become even more dramatic
in the La Quinta Cove, where the view across the Coachella Valley also add
to the stunning scenery. The desert and mountains captivate visitors and
bring perpetual joy to La Quinta residents by offering wonderful scenery and
outdoor adventures. The Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve MASTER
PLAN sets forth a blueprint for preserving a section of this special desert
landscape. The Plan seeks to protect the land, plant species, and native
creatures that inhabit the desert.
Background (with Description)
On June 19, 2003, the City Council approved the purchase of 19 acres of
land zoned as Open Space as part of the General Plan. The property is
located west of Avenida Montezuma and east of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek
Trail, between Calle Ensenada and Calle Chillon.
On December 8, 2003, the Community Services Commission hosted a public
meeting requesting input as to what amenities the community would like to
see at the newly acquired 19 acre park. The overwhelming response from
the public was to maintain the site as a nature preserve.
On July 6, 2004, the City Council approved the name of the 19 acre Nature
Preserve to be the “Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve.”
A plaque recognizing the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve was
installed and dedicated on March 18, 2006. The plaque is located on the
Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail just south of Calle Ensenada and on the west
side of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve. The plaque reads:
Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve
The City of La Quinta purchased this 28 acre open space area
for the preservation of natural desert land for future
generations. This nature preserve is dedicated to Fred Wolff, La
Quinta’s first Mayor who led the effort to incorporate the City
of La Quinta. Mr. Wolff lived nearby and was dedicated to
preserving the public’s access to the Santa Rosa Mountains,
trails, and the desert’s natural beauty.
On January 19, 2010, The Stewards of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature
Preserve requested that the adjacent 8.99 acres to the south be added to the
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Preserve on that date the City Council approved the addition to the Preserve
extending it to Calle Tecate.
Goals
The goals for the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve are to protect and
enhance the nature park while providing information on the plants and
wildlife that are native to the area.
The Master Plan is a key tool for accomplishing the goals of the Nature
Preserve.
Guiding Principles (Philosophy)
The underlying principles of ecology and conservation biology should guide
the Preserve management decisions by promoting the protection of native
species of wildlife and vegetation, and removing invasive species that
interfere with the natural process. Management practices should, when ever
possible, mimic natural processes and promote vegetation in its natural state.
The management philosophy for the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve
is to meet recreational and open space needs of the residents while ensuring
that the natural and cultural resources are protected and maintained. The
Preserve provides an opportunity to promote an environmental ethic as part
of the visitor experience.
Artificial structures should be kept at a minimum, blending in space, form,
and color with the natural surroundings.
Disturbance and compaction to the soil should be minimized to discourage
invasive vegetation and erosion. To promote natural vegetation and ideal soil
conditions, vehicular traffic should only be permitted when necessary.
Trails should provide appropriate access while minimizing the fragmentation
of the biological community.
Motorized traffic, noisy machinery, and oversized equipment should be
discouraged and kept to a minimum. Minimize service vehicle traffic for trail
and plant maintenance.
Citizen Involvement
To implement this Master Plan effectively, the City of La Quinta and the
community should develop partnerships to address regulations, volunteers,
adjacent development, and required resources.
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Develop a positive working relationship with property owners adjacent to the
Nature Preserve. Review development and activities of adjacent properties
to insure that activities will not interfere with the natural balance of the
Nature Preserve.
Recognize the citizen advisory board “Stewards of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek
Nature Preserve” as advocates of the Nature Preserve and the Fred Wolff
Bear Creek Trail.
Recommendations (Implementations)
Planning recommendations should be implemented after careful study and
on-site evaluations. Safety issues need to be managed with Crime
Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). All designs and
management should be adaptive to the natural environment of the Nature
Preserve.
SAFETY
1. Enforce rules, regulations, and City ordinances that provide for
security, surveillance, and protection of natural and cultural resources,
visitors, and facilities. Rules and operational procedures must be
consistent. Post signs at key locations around the Preserve.
2. The berm has been lowered along Avenida Montezuma and installation
of a low rail fence now permits observation into the Nature Preserve
and the Bear Creek Trail while keeping unwanted vehicles out.
3. Maintain and control vegetation throughout the Nature Preserve for
safety and security for individuals as well as the Preserve. Tree
canopies need to be raised and plants need to be pruned back so
police and residents can have unobstructed views throughout the
property including the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail.
LANDSCAPE
1. Adopt the Coachella Valley Native Plants list as provided by the
Mountains Conservancy. The Nature Preserve should be repopulated
only with those plants listed in the native plant list. The soil
conditions should also be restored, due to compaction from an
abandoned road and unwanted vehicular traffic. A maintenance
component is needed in the Preserve as part of the La Quinta City
Parks program. This will maintain and improve the overall conditions
for the enjoyment of visitors.
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2. Review the plant palette that exists along the Bear Creek Trail and
make recommendations for the removal of plants that are harmful to
animals. Remove and/or trim the plants along the trail to provide safe
view corridors.
3. Relocate the mailboxes along Avenida Montezuma that are currently
on the Preserve property. Coordination will need to be made between
the City of La Quinta, the U.S. Postal Service, and the residents.
4. Minimize the fragmentation of the habitat from trails and structures.
Eliminate any redundant or unnecessary paths and obstacles. A trail
of decomposed granite and a low rail fence has been constructed
along Avenida Montezuma. Provide routes that offer diverse
educational, recreational, and aesthetic experiences.
COMMUNICATION
1. Develop signs to help visitors experience the Nature Preserve. These
should be located at clear entry points to welcome, orient, and
educate visitors as they arrive.
2. Install plant identification signage around the perimeter of the Nature
Preserve, along the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail and the natural path
along Avenida Montezuma.
3. Maintain communications with other City, County, State, and Federal
agencies as well as conservation groups and utility companies.
4. Support the Stewards efforts to provide ongoing nature education that
includes activities such as Nature Walks at the Preserve.
5. Maintain and update a brochure describing the history, flora and fauna
and rules of the Preserve.
6. Consider renaming the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail to Bear Creek Trail
and naming the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Preserve the Fred Wolff
Preserve to avoid confusion and shorten the names of the amenities.
AVENIDA DIAZAVENIDA RUBIOAVENIDA VALLEJOAVENIDA RAMIREZAVENIDA HERRERAAVENIDA OBREGONAVENIDA ALVARADOAVENIDA CARRANZAAVENIDA MADEROAVENIDA MONTEZUMACALLE COLIMA
CALLE ARROBA
CALLE CHILLON
CALLE MADRID
CALLE MON TEREY
CALLE ENSENADA
CALLE TEMECULA
CALLE POTRERO
CALLE NOGALES
CALLE CH IHUA HUA
AVENIDA CORTEZAVENIDA JUAREZCity of La Quinta ®Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve
DESERT NATIVE PLANTS of the COACHELLA VALLEY
Recommended for Landscaping
Trees
Plant Name Scientific Name Family
Blue Palo Verde Parkinsonia florida Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Desert Ironwood Olneya tesota Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis Bignoniaceae / Catalpa
Honey Mesquite Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Smoke Tree Psorothamnus spinosus Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Shrubs
Bladder Pod Peritoma arborea Cleomaceae / Beeplant
Brittle Bush Encelia farinosa Asteraceae / Sunflower
Cat Claw Senegalia greggii (Acacia greggii) Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Chuparosa Justicia californica Acanthaceae /Acanthus
Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata Zygophyllaceae / Caltrop
Desert Lavender Condea emoryi Lamiaceae / Mint & Sage
Desert Mallow Sphaeralcea ambigua Malvaceae / Mallow
Indigo Bush Psorothamnus schottii Fabaceae / Bean & Pea
Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis Simmondsiaceae / Jojoba
Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens Fouquieriaceae / Ocotillo
Rush Milkweed Asclepias subulata Apocynaceae / Milkweed
Desert Agave Agave desertii Asparagaceae / Asparagus
AGAVE GEMIFLORA
Also visit: Calscape (https://calscape.org/) – Native Plant Gardening Guide for plant info