The 5,759-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve consists of working ranch land, grasslands, and forests near the town of La Honda. The District is creating a 30-year use and management Master Plan for this preserve that aims to balance the preservation of viable agriculture, cultural history, and the natural environment with public education and low-intensity recreation.

Pond Restoration Work Completed

In 2009, the District was awarded over $80,000 in grant funding from the State of California and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for restoration work aimed at improving one of several ponds in La Honda Creek Preserve to better support wildlife. Due to the pond's location in the San Gregorio watershed-- a Critical Coastal Area that drains into a marine reserve-- repair of the pond's failing earthen berm and successful planting of native wetland vegetation aimed to:

• Improve wetland habitat
• Prevent sedimentation in downstream habitat for endangered fish, and
• Create breeding habitat for the federally threatened California red-legged frog, a food source for the federally endangered San Francisco garter snake.

The restoration project was completed in November 2010. California red-legged frogs are successfully using and reproducing in the restored pond. Pond restoration has also improved dry season water availability for frogs, cattle, and other wildlife.

For more project information, please review the Pond Repair Fact Sheet.

Master Plan

The 5,759-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, considered by many as a gateway to the San Mateo coast, features forests of redwood and Douglas fir, contrasting open grassland hilltops, and spectacular panoramic views leading to the coast. This Preserve's potential has only just begun to be scratched as historically only a portion of the preserve has been open to hikers and equestrians on a permit basis.

In July 2004, the District and a team of consultants kicked off the master planning process for this Preserve with an on-site meeting to review the scope of work, schedule, and budget for this project. The District master planning process aims to provide the public with greater opportunities for recreation access, interpretation, and education, while expanding livestock grazing and protecting the rural heritage, natural, cultural, and historic resources of the landscape for the long-term.

In December 2007, the District held an open house to discuss the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Draft Master Plan. A concise list of the draft plan recommendations, true to the District's mission and incorporating many of the comments and ideas the District received from neighbors, agencies, Preserve users, and local organizations, was released. (See Draft Implementation Table and Draft Plan Maps).

Project Milestones + Updates

(updated 10/7/2011)
4/13/2009	Public Release and Review of Revised Draft Master Plan
4/22/2009	Informational only report on Draft Master Plan at a regular Board meeting. No Board action taken.
5/13/2009	Deadline for Written Comments on the Draft Master Plan (for submittal to Board for their review prior to the May 19 meeting)
5/19/2009	First public hearing for Board to receive community input on the Draft Master Plan. (Details in the Spring Newsletter)
6/16/2009	Second public hearing for Board to receive community input on the Draft Master Plan.
11/12/2009	Third public hearing for Board to vote on tentative adoption of the Draft Master Plan.
Summer 2012	Environmental document on Draft Master Plan released for public review.
TBA	Final public hearing for Board to vote on final adoption of Draft Master Plan and certification of the environmental document.

The Draft La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan was released on April 13, 2009. At the public hearing (agenda) on June 16, 2009, the District’s Board of Directors received community input and discussed the Draft Master Plan. The third public hearing was held November 12 , 2009; the Board of Directors voted to tentatively approve the draft Master Plan.

Master Plan Update (posted 10/7/2011): Due to high staffing demands on the Mt. Umunhum Project, work on the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plan has been delayed. The environmental document on the Draft Master Plan is slated for release in the summer of 2012. A final hearing for Master Plan adoption has not yet been scheduled.