Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/975006
6 LIVE IT UP! FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL James. ese birds are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. e most popular use of the State Park, James says, is probably biking through as the trail joins the Monterey Rec Trail -- which completes a link from the City of Pacific Grove all the way to the City of Marina. "ere is also a beach which is a five-to-ten minute walk (some in sand) from the Stilwell Hall Parking Lot accessed from Eighth Street," adds James. A bit of history: In 1991, a decision was made to close the Fort Ord Army base. State Parks submitted an application on behalf of the people of California to acquire the land, and in 1994 the application was approved. You may wonder why the park didn't open until 2009: Here are a few things that happened over the years. e Army removed more than 160,000 cubic yards of lead-contaminated soil from the 15 former firing ranges; removed and recycled over 700,000 pounds of spent ammunition; and demolished 75 buildings related to these ranges. A few buildings such as bunkers have been preserved. Finally, in 2004, a General Plan for the park was approved, and the property was transferred from the Army to the National Park Service in 2006. ere should be camping at this State Park available in the not-too-distant future: part of the aforementioned 2004 plan provided for the development of a new campground—plus beach access facilities—in an area immediately adjacent to the bunkers. On July 13, 2017, the Coastal Commission unanimously approved the Campground and Beach Access project at Fort Ord Dunes State Park for a Coastal Development Permit. As stated on the Ft. Ord Dunes Campground Project web site, this is "a major milestone in the approval processes required for development within the park." Next steps include approval of the Habitat Conservation Plan (in order to obtain a Federal Permit), which is expected to occur by Fall 2018. If the federal permit gets approved as planned, construction of the new campground can begin in 2019. e campground will add 95 new campsites to the California State Park System: 45 RV sites, 40 traditional tent sites, and a "Hike/ Bike/Walk-In Camping Area" with 10 walk-in or bike-in style campsites. Fort Ord Dunes State Park online brochure: www.parks.ca.gov/pages/580/ files/FortOrdDunesMonterey_ Web2014.pdf Directions: Lightfighter Dr. off Hwy. 1. Turn le onto 2nd. Ave., then follow signs to park entrance at 8th St. overcrossing Hwy. 1. For those interested in further exploration, the Fort Ord National Monument (www.blm.gov/ programs/national-conservation- lands/california/fort-ord-national- monument) is also nearby, covering 1,450 acres, and includes 80-plus miles of trails. People can hike, bike or ride horses. CONTINUED FROM 4 PHOTO BY MORGAN GOLDER