We grew up in Rancho Santa Fe, cherishing its rural charm, scenic trails, excellent schools, and tight-knit community. However, long-time residents and newcomers have recently witnessed a growing sense of division among Covenant groups with different visions for enhancing our community. We have an opportunity to develop a new beautiful amenity for all to enjoy – a multi-use park on the 24.3 acres of Osuna Ranch. This proposal will be discussed at the RSFA Board meeting at 10 am, Thursday Dec. 5, at the Association offices on Avenida de Acacias.
Long-timers remember places that once united residents from diverse backgrounds. The former Garden Club building, now the Secret Garden event venue, was a vibrant community hub where Covenant members gathered for meetings, lectures, dances, concerts, garden shows, card games, and more. Residents discovered common interests, made friendships, and collaborated to develop the amenities that have distinguished our community.
Community Cohesion and Spirit
The RSFA’s Osuna Committee now seeks to increase community cohesion and spirit by creating Osuna Ranch Historic Park. With its historic Adobe, equestrian facility, and other desired community features identified in our 2022 RSFA Community Survey, this park would become a new social hub.
Why is Osuna Ranch Historic Park so important? Firstly, it provides a much-needed community gathering space. While RSF has playing fields, natural areas, and a restaurant, it lacks a large, central indoor-outdoor venue where residents can socialize, play, and learn.
Top of Survey Priority List
At recent RSFA meetings with 150+ attendees, about half the participants couldn’t see the speakers’ screens. The proposed 4,000-square-foot Osuna Community Barn would provide a spacious and beautiful venue for community meetings, educational programs, concerts, dances, youth activities, and special events. Inspired by Early California architecture, Jeff and Katie Holcombe have donated designs for a Barn that would be constructed of stucco, open beams, red-tiled roofs, a covered patio, an entry courtyard with a large fountain, and beautifully landscaped grounds for outdoor gatherings.
Secondly, the Osuna property can accommodate four of the top five new features RSF households supported developing in our Community Survey: a children’s playground, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, a historical/education center, and a dog park. Natural playgrounds foster imaginative play and build children’s physical and social skills while teaching them about nature and the environment. A dog park would provide safe, inviting areas for dogs and their owners. Benches, picnic tables, and shaded areas throughout the park would offer comfort for visitors.
Honoring RSF’s Unique History
Thirdly, Osuna Park will preserve and showcase RSF’s unique history, from the indigenous Kumeyaay to the Osuna family, Santa Fe Railroad period, Lilian Rice era, and more recent times. The Community Barn would include historic relics and a colorful, curated timeline of key RSF events and figures for school field trips and community programs. Students will learn about the historical significance of the Adobe and Ranch, and engage in hands-on science projects, such as making adobe bricks and testing how different formulas affect their strength.
Finally, Osuna Park would increase our property values and quality of life. Parks are an excellent financial investment, attracting family homeowners and retaining affluent retirees. Parks are also an ideal venue for hosting special events, such as weddings, family reunions, and farm-to-table dinners. Equally important, parks significantly increase community cohesion and resident satisfaction.
We now have an opportunity to develop a new multi-use park on the 24.3 acres of Osuna Ranch, the last remnant of the 8,824-acre San Dieguito Land Grant. Let’s add this beautiful amenity for all to enjoy. To learn more, please attend the RSFA Board meeting, Thursday Dec. 5, at 10 am at the Association offices at Avenida de Acacias.
Holly Manion and Sheryl Fellows Arnold are Covenant residents.