REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 9, 2024
FROM
BEAHTA R. DAVIS, Director, Regional Parks Department
SUBJECT
Title
Naming of the Garden at Mojave Narrows Regional Park
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the naming of the garden at Mojave Narrows Regional Park as The Celeste DeBlasis Memorial Garden.
(Presenter: Beahta R. Davis, Director, 387-2340)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health, and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not require the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). There is no financial impact from this action to name the garden at Mojave Narrows Regional Park (Park) near the silos and immediately south of the existing Memorial Tree Grove. The Friends of Mojave Narrows Park (Friends), through its discretionary funding, has raised $5,000 for the construction and building to cover the cost of this future garden.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Regional Parks Department (Department) operates and maintains eight regional parks, including this Park in the City of Victorville, and provides people in the community with a safe park to enjoy outdoor activities.
Pursuant to County Policy No. 12-16, the Department is requesting approval to designate the new memorial garden at the Park as The Celeste DeBlasis Memorial Garden.
The Friends propose to construct a garden, approximately one acre in size, with a short nature trail, including bird feeders, observation benches, and educational signage. Plantings of native shrubs, trees, pollinator plants, and butterfly larval food plants will create and enhance bird and other wildlife habitats. The garden will also include a water feature for attracting birds and wildlife. The existing shed will be renovated as a storage facility for bird feed and maintenance equipment. The Friends have also committed to maintaining the garden. A Permit to Enter, Construct and Maintain will be granted for a term of five years, commencing upon the execution by both parties to describe the responsibilities of both parties, which will be renewed thereafter.
Celeste DeBlasis was a local author, long-time Kemper Campbell Ranch family member, and staunch advocate of the Park. Prior to her untimely passing in 2001, she walked in the park daily, enjoying its birdlife and other wildlife. She also provided advice to the park staff regarding wildlife habitat and other issues.
This recommended item aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goal and objective to provider for the safety, health, and social services needs of County residents by allowing the Department to provide this memorial garden in honor of Celeste DeBlasis. This garden will continue her work in educating individuals, families, home school, and public-school groups about birds and other species in nature. Individuals, families and groups can study the signage to find out more about the habits and ecology of native bird species, learn about species of limited distribution that occur here, and access an introduction to the Mojave River ecosystem. Visitors of the garden can also learn about some historical aspects of the Park, such as the uses of native plants by indigenous people and geological processes that affected the development of the Mojave River.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 22, 2023; Finance (Elias Duenas, Administrative Analyst, 387-4052) on August 22, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on August 22, 2023.