While fundraising efforts continue, The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County is approaching the home stretch of the construction of visitor-serving amenities required to open the 900-acre Pismo Preserve to the public.
Since August 2018, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), the City of Pismo Beach, individual donors and a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy provided $2.2 million towards the completion of the Pismo Preserve, launching The Land Conservancy into initial construction.
The timeline for completion of the parking lot, ADA trail, and remaining amenities is dependent on The Land Conservancy receiving the remaining $2.4 million of $18 million total (includes the purchase of the land) needed to complete the project and open the Pismo Preserve.
If remaining funding is not secured, The Land Conservancy will be forced to halt construction, delaying the opening of the Preserve until the funds are raised, something The Land Conservancy staff, board and volunteers are working hard to keep from happening. The organization is relying heavily on gifts from local businesses and individuals to close the gap. People who are interested in helping bring this project to fruition can contact The Land Conservancy office directly.
“We are so close to realizing this incredible project and every bit of support helps us with this final stretch of construction and funding. We have created a magical place together with world-class trails and an incredible outdoor experience, and now it’s time to rally and open this property for our community to enjoy. Let’s all join forces to finish it!” said Kaila Dettman, Executive Director of The Land Conservancy.
According to Dettman, if The Land Conservancy had the funds today, the Preserve would be open to the public in six to eight months.
The first phase of construction began in October 2018 and includes the widening of Mattie Road, a sidewalk and retaining wall, a water and sewer line, and a fire hydrant for emergency fire suppression. These improvements were required by the City of Pismo Beach and other agencies to ensure safe access into the Preserve once open to the public. This first phase of construction will be completed in May 2019.
The Land Conservancy is working with R. Burke Corporation and Precision Building Group to complete the project, which will also eventually include a parking lot, an ADA accessible trail, and restrooms.
Access to the Preserve’s 11 miles of trail is closed while construction is ongoing, but the public can look forward to daily access, from dawn to dusk, once all construction is complete at the end of the year. Once completed, walkers, hikers, bikers, and equestrians will be able to enjoy the Pismo Preserve seven days a week.
To make a tax-deductible charitable donation to support the Pismo Preserve individuals and businesses can make an online donation on The Conservancy’s website at www.LCSLO.org or call Kaila Dettman, Executive Director, at 805-544-9096.
About The Pismo Preserve
The Pismo Preserve was purchased by The Land Conservancy in 2014 with outstanding support from the community. It will be a phenomenal public park for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians with high-quality single-track trails, beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and stunning oak-studded canyons.
About The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County is a community-supported local nonprofit land trust working to conserve and care for the diverse wildlands, farms, and ranches of the Central Coast, connecting people to the land and to each other. The land trust helps to protect drinking water sources, prevent poorly planned development, restore wildlife habitat, promote family farmlands and ranches in our region, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds to the land. The Land Conservancy leads collaborative efforts which have resulted in the permanent protection over 20,000 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County.
