An Exciting World of Its Own--Santee Town Center Park East (Santee Parks Part 10)

It was a warm July night in 2010, when I first visited the wonderful world of the Santee Town Center Community Park East located at 550 Park Center Drive, tucked away behind the Sportsplex and Cameron YMCA. People scattered across the giant grassy area on blankets and lawn chairs in front of the concert stage, preparing to hear the sounds of the Corvettes. Many enjoyed their picnic dinners while listening to the music. Children danced to the sounds of rock and roll. It was a delightful sight.


The following September, I vounteered at the first Santee Wine and Blue Grass Festival held at the park organized by the Santee Park and Recreation Committee. What an exciting affair!



On July 4th, the city held a concert festival in celebration of the nation's birth. The locals picniced and strolled around vendor booths. A live band played and people danced, while waiting for the clock to stike 9pm and the fireworks to fill the sky.


Recently, I visited the park again on a lazy Sunday afternoon. As we pulled into one of the large parking lots, I was amazed to see the athletic fields that lied beneath where all the festivities I had been to had taken place. The 40 acres of park includes the Cameron YMCA and the Sportsplex just across two bridges that transcend the San Diego River Bed.



The park was a buzz with activity. My husband and I stolled along the walkway with our dog. As we entered the park, I spotted a gentleman flying a remote control airplane to the delight of all who watched. Lots of open sky to zoom and zag.



As we walked further on, to my amazement, there were lighted synthetic turf football and soccer fields, home to the Santee Pop Warner Ravens. A few soccer games were winding down, and players were gathering up their nets.

I noticed people picnicing at tables, some even under gazebos, along the way. We even stopped to rest on one of the benches that doted the walk way.



The park also includes grills, restrooms, a jungle gym playground area, a concession stand, and a trail system interlinked to all parts of the park.



You will want to visit the Santee Town Center Park East to see this exciting world of its own.


by Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585

Stroll Down Mast Park West Trail (Santee Parks Part 7)

One of the newest trails in Santee opened in May 2011. It is an extension of Mast Park. The Trail head is a half-mile-long located just south of Carlton Oaks Boulevard just off of Carlton Hills Boulevard.





You can access the trail on the west side of Carlton Hills Boulevard or you can enter park the Mast Park west end parking and walk under the bridge where the Boy Scout Troup 51 has painted several nature murals leading you to the trail entrance.

The finely fenced walking trail weaves through a thickly wooded area that leads to a shaded bench area where you can rest, or just to enjoy a veiw of a river pond where ducks wade and feed off the natural wildlife.



The trail ends at Carlton Oaks Golf Course, where one day there is hope to extend the trail. In the future, Santee,San Diego and the San Diego River Conservancy hope to create a system of trails for bicycle and pedestrian corridors, along both sides of the river from the East County to the rest of San Diego.


Virginia Hall
ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI, SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
VirginiaHall.com
Direct (619)258-8585