What's happening at Mission Trails right now
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
View of Mission Trails from Climber's Loop. Photo: Claire Trageser/Axios
Mission Trails is getting some upgrades as the park continues to grow.
The big picture: The park foundation is working on buying more land, restoring rare plants and removing invasive ones, and has ongoing construction on a water pipeline, Jennifer Morrissey, executive director of the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, told Axios.
Some of the biggest projects:
🏞️ Land acquisition — The foundation is continuing to buy parcels north of state Route 52. It already donated 108 acres to the city last year, Morrissey said.
🌿 Invasive plant and brush removal — Workers are removing invasive plants especially along trails with a grant from the San Diego River Conservancy. That allows native plants already living in the soil to emerge and thrive, Morrissey said.
🌸 Rare plant restoration — The foundation is working with city biologists to grow more rare and endangered native plants like San Diego ambrosia and San Diego thornmint.
🦆 Kumeyaay Lake primrose removal — Invasive primrose was removed from the lake. Morrissey said the work has made the lake feel far more alive with birds and wildlife.
🪧 Interpretive panels — New panels were added to the Oak Grove Loop Trail with English, Spanish, and QR codes for additional languages, plus illustrations by Coyote Brush Studios. More panels are coming in the next year.
🚧 Pipeline construction — A water purification pipeline work is about a third of the way complete along Father Junipero Serra Trail, and the project should be finished in spring 2028, according to Morrissey.
🏛️ Visitor center update — A recently approved concept plan for the Visitor Center's renovation includes more exhibits, shade and gathering spaces.
💰 Fundraising — Morrissey said federal funding cuts have increased competition among nonprofits. Rising costs and the city's budget troubles add to the challenges.