By SUZANNE FIEDLER
A small county park at the southern end of Windsor Boulevard is now receiving some much-needed attention. On June 21, a proposal was presented to North Coast Advisory Council for Lampton Cliffs County Park to be added to the Adopt-A-Park program. The proposal was well received and supported by the Council. Further discussions are ongoing with County Parks and preparatory steps are being taken to provide the required information for application to the program. Once the project is added to the Adopt-A-Park program, plans for the next steps and implementation will be determined.
Lampton Cliffs County Park is a bit of open space in the Marine Terrace neighborhood. The 2.1-acre natural space offers broad views of the ocean and is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Walking paths lead to the bluffs where benches offer views of the waves and the rocky shore below. The rocks and tidepools can normally be accessed by a set of stairs which are currently under repair following winter storm damage.
Park vegetation is natural, as originally intended when the park was first established, and consists of a mixture of grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants. There are native plants as well as non-native invasive plants in the park. The predominance of ice plant, which has spread in several places, is restricting the natural proliferation of native plants. Efforts to control invasive species and restore native plants in other locations, notably Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, have been successful, quickly achieved, and a benefit to the natural ecosystem when the invasive species were removed.
Could this be achieved at Lampton Cliffs County Park? How can this be done considering the land is owned by the County? Does Cambria support this effort? San Luis Obispo County Parks offers several programs for communities who wish to become involved with their local County parks through volunteer opportunities, such as service projects, volunteering as park docents, sponsoring trail workdays and/or patrol, and the Adopt-a-Park program. Community members work with park personnel to accomplish projects that satisfy community goals. Examples of goals for local parks may include tree planting, litter control, building of structures, and removal of invasive species, to name a few.
The benefits of native plant restoration include support of local wildlife, who depend on native plants for food and shelter and proliferation of flowering plants for pollinators. Native plants have adapted to the local climate and soil types. Native plants provide deep roots that stabilize the soil, reducing erosion and enhancing the natural beauty of land.
Cambrians are encouraged to learn more and to consider becoming active participants in this project. Restoration of native plants to Lampton Cliffs County Park will not only benefit the environment but it will beautify this small gem along our lovely coastline. For further details, please contact Suzanne Fiedler at: fiedlersf8689@gmail.com.
