Sunday, July 31, 2011

Mast Park a Hidden Neighborhood Jewel (Santee Parks Part 3)

This park is located at 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd, Santee, CA . The park entrance is just behind the Carlton Oaks Plaza business center and Santee Llibrary at the corner of Carlton Hills Boulevard and Carlton Oaks Boulevard. The park is open dawn to dusk and features a large playground, a basketball court, an extensive trail system, a sand volleyball court and an equestrian trail.

At first you might be concerned about what looks like a small parking lot, but keep driving and you will find more parking below the main lot.
On my recent visit, I discovered that the park now has a fenced off-leash dog area where dogs can romp freely.
Besides walking along the natural habitat areas and extensive trail system surrounding the park; in the past, I have used the park for birthday picnics. We celebrated on picnic tables under sheltered gazebos with restrooms nearby. The park offers plenty of trees and green areas as well Barbecue Grills for hot dogs. If the play equipment and a basketball court aren’t enough, Air Jumps are also permitted.

A delightful park to visit. For more information on this park and others visit Santee Parks.

Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
619)258-8585
Virginia@VirginiaHall.com
VirginiaHall.com

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Cool Off at the Santee Aquatics Center (Santee Parks Part 2)

Children bored with summer? Need some low impact aerobic exercise? But don’t have a pool. The City of Santee has joined with the Cameron Family YMCA to offer year round swimming and pool activities to the general public, as well as the YMCA members.

For a small fee, the general public can enjoy the Santee Aquatics Center that has a 25 meter by 25 yard training pool, an activity pool with a play structure, water slide, water exercise area, and locker rooms.

For those like myself, who have an aversion to sweat exercise, you can enjoy a good aerobic workout in the Water Exercise classes, or just swim laps. The lap pools are separate from the water structure and slides.

Families with children can enjoy hours of splashing and playing on the slide and the water structure. Children under age 7 must have an adult in the water. Maximum two children to one adult.

You can't miss the colorful Santee Aquatics Center located at the Cameron Family YMCA, 10123 Riverwalk Dr., Santee, just east of Cuyamaca St. You will want to visit the Santee City’s website to see the current schedules.

For more information about programs offer at the Cameron Family YMCA and City of Santee Aquatics Center call (619) 449-9622 .

Virginia Hall
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
619)258-8585
Virginia@VirginiaHall.com
VirginiaHall.com

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Mission Trails Regional Park—Urban Nature Escape (Santee Parks Part 1)


When buying a home, schools and parks are always important. Santee has a number of parks that I would like to share. This is the first part of a ten part series on the parks of Santee.

While Mission Trails Regional Park is not truly a Santee City Park, a portion of the nearly 5,800 acre park is located at the west end of Santee located off Mission Gorge and Father Junipero Trail and is one of my favorite parks to visit.

Centrally located, Mission Trails Regional Park provides a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Mission Trails Regional Park has been called the third Jewel in the City of San Diego Park System.

In particular, this park is one that I often get calls from buyers searching for homes in the area. People love to stroll through the trees, perhaps watch a few birds. Others like to hike along the 40 miles of trails that include open space and rugged hills, including Cowles Mountain. Others bike across the Grassland trails. Families love to visit the Old Mission Dam, and watch the waterfall, cross the river bridge or enjoy a picnic lunch. Mission Trails Regional Park has something to offer everyone, including Fido on a leash.

Opened in 1974, Mission Trails Regional Park has become one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Originally used by the Kumeyaay, the park is the site of the Old Mission Dam, built to store water for the Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Campers visit Kumeyaay Lake, for a weekend of primitive camping with nature, where they might see the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo bird.

You will want to visit the state-of-the-art Visitor & Interpretive numerous informative hikes Center, For more information and Trail and Habitat maps visit http://www.mtrp.org/park.asp .