I just read that Mayor Natasha Johnson has blocked the public from viewing the February 2023 California Poppy super bloom in Walker Canyon. See this news article in SF Gate:
I wondered why they were doing it. But thought that maybe the public had to park in front of private homes and maybe walk through private property. But after looking at Google Maps, it appears that isn't the case. The poppy fields and access trails are on the other side of the I-15 freeway from the populated portion of Lake Elsinore. It does appear that this open space area is within a short extension of the City of Lake Elsinore boundaries. So the city does have some jurisdiction over the access point. The article seems to say that most access to the public is blocked. However, I watched the youtube video of Mayor Johnson's announcement. See this link: https://youtu.be/1pVGSmFBGiY I think she did a very good job of speaking and seemed confident that what she was doing was correct. However, she was not clear about what people could do to be able to visit and view the flowers -- only what they couldn't do! Also, she did NOT want any feedback on her announcement, because all comments were "turned off" The mayor did mention shuttle busses, but no explanation of when or how they would be available. She also said they'll make a video and share it with the public. My experience with poppies is that photos do not capture their beauty. There is something about the surface texture of the poppy that does not get captured in a photo or video. You really do need to see it in person!
The rationale given for blocking the public was pretty sketchy. First of all, it was based upon apparently a larger super bloom in 2019 that they were "unprepared for" -- Now they've had 4 years to "prepare" for a similar (although possibly fewer blooms) and the best they can do is a blockade and ban the public. The reasons cited include: "Trampled flowers, injuries, and a headache for residents" I understand the situation. The public can seem to be totally irresponsible. Stepping on the flowers they came to view is very inconsiderate. Not sure what injuries occurred. But whenever a large number of people go anywhere there would be a natural increase in people getting hurt from falling etc. These are public parks and trails that the City is blocking. Oceanside has a huge influx of people on certain summer weekends to visit the beach -- somewhat similar, but much more predictable.
I assume that the crowds of concern are on Saturday and Sunday mid-day. They are also only on a few weekends until the bloom subsides. Now that the problem has been identified, the mayor should meet with her "partner cities and agencies" and plan for the next time this happens. Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Plan for a fleet of rental shuttle buses and drivers for the weekends during a super bloom. They should be only needed if and when the super bloom occurs. Arrange for a "decision date" when the mayor would need to make a decision to trigger the use of shuttle buses. --There must be some way of determining from measuring soil moisture and seeing how many seedlings have sprouted whether or not a super bloom is going to happen.
- Plan parking areas a distance away from the viewing area. Plan traffic flow to/from the viewing areas. Plan signage to inform people of the restrictions, as well as the options for viewing using the shuttle bus.
- Arrange for an appointment (and payment) app such as Park Mobile to allow people to make parking spot reservations and pay for the spot. The pay should be enough to cover all costs related to staff time and shuttle bus operation. In theory, the City should be able to make a profit from such an operation.
- Arrange for a group of volunteer "docents" to staff the entrances to the flower fields. One of their jobs is to stop people from trampling the flowers.
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