 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
The Tesla-Alameda expansion property for the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation
Area (SVRA) was purchased by the California Department of Parks and Recreation from 1998 to
2003. The Tesla-Alameda expansion property includes over 3,000 acres of open range
land west of the present Carnegie SVRA, which currently extends from
the Alameda-San Joaquin County line four miles west into Arroyo Seco Canyon along the
south side of Tesla Road. This new parkland was purchased for the purpose of increasing
the property of the Carnegie SVRA, which is currently used for off-road motorcycles,
motocross, and hill-climbing competitions. The new property is presently undergoing a
revised environment impact study, which is expected to take several years to complete.
Future plans for the park anticipate multiple use activities such as recreational off-highway
vehicles, biking, horseback riding, and hiking. The Tesla-Alameda expansion property is
not yet open to the public and probably won't be for many years.
California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) has trained over a dozen local citizens
to help watch and patrol the Tesla-Alameda expansion property for trespassers and vandals.
Several trespassers and vehicle license numbers have already been reported to the rangers.
Since the program began at Tesla in 2003, there has been a noted decrease in the number
of vandalism on the property. For those interested in joining CASSP, see www.cassp.org/.
Members of District 36 of the American Motorcycle Association are concerned about why it is
taking so long to open the Tesla-Alameda expansion property. They are encouraging more members to
volunteer at the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area to help with the process of opening
the new parkland and to protect their interest. For more information, see www.ama-d36.org.
On January 16, 2008, the Department of Conservation installed bat gates at three of the mine
openings at Tesla to allow bats to live in the underground mines while keeping people out.
Fences were also installed around two of the open mine shafts. A couple of Sacramento TV
stations recorded the event as well as the local newspapers.
Local residents in the Tracy-Corral Hollow area have raised concerns about the anticipated
increase in off-highway vehicle usage on the Tesla-Alameda expansion property. An
alternative plan for the new property is being launched by the Friends of Tesla, a
grassroots organization that wants to protect and preserve the land. They
launched a web site at www.teslapark.org and are soliciting members interested
in helping out.
Email Dan L. Mosier: danmosier@earthlink.net.
Copyright © 2009 Dan L. Mosier