Tierrasanta, San Diego, California
Encyclopedia
Tierrasanta, Spanish for "holy land," is a community within the city of San Diego, California
. The symbol of Tierrasanta is an encircled Conquistador cross, similar to the Montserrat Cross of Barcelona, Spain, though it holds no religious meaning. The community is referred to as "The Island in the Hills" by locals and on welcome signs.
ranch, which was active during the late 18th and 19th centuries. The U.S. military purchased the land in 1941 as Camp Elliott, a Marine Corps training facility. The Marines moved out in 1944 and the land was transferred to the Navy. It was deactivated in 1946. In 1961, the U.S. Government sold the area that is now Tierrasanta and a portion of neighboring Mission Trails Regional Park
to the City of San Diego. In the following year, the Elliott Community Plan was issued to serve as a roadmap for development going forward, and in 1971 Tierrasanta was founded. The current Tierrasanta community plan was issued in 1982, and included both the currently developed area and much of what is now Mission Trails Regional Park. By 1982 approximately one-half of the private residential area had been developed, with the area called Tierrasanta Norte, in the northeastern part of town, being one of the locations still to be developed. Tierrasanta has been fully built out since the early 1990s, and in 2010 had a population of 30,443 (ZIP code 92124). It was one of the first master planned communities in San Diego.
Because of the area's history as a military training base, some military debris including unexploded ordnance remained in the area when it was developed, in spite of multiple cleanup efforts by different branches of the services. In 1983 two 8-year-old Tierrasanta boys were killed after discovering unexploded ordnance in a canyon near their home. The Navy performed surface clearance operations in 1984 and 1985. Between 1990 and 1995 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed several tons of ordnance and debris under its FUDS (Formerly Used Defense Sites) program. The Corps continues to monitor the area.
In October 2003, Tierrasanta, among other communities in San Diego, was affected by what was known as "Firestorm 2003." This was a conglomeration of the Cedar Fire
and numerous other wildfires that converged on Southern California. The residents of Tierrasanta were forced to evacuate. Nearly a dozen homes were lost to the blaze. Shortly after, in 2004, the Tierrasanta Community Emergency Response Team (T-CERT) was created for rapid local response to natural disasters. A similar scare swept through Tierrasanta in the fall of 2007
, though residents were not required to evacuate.
and the sprawling southern fields of MCAS Miramar; on the east by the 5800 acres (23.5 km²) Mission Trails Regional Park
, which has numerous hiking and mountain biking trails; on the west by bluffs bordering the Interstate 15
corridor, and on the south by steep canyons overlooking the San Diego River
and Mission Valley. Community activities focus on the Tierrasanta Recreation Center, which includes lighted sports fields, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and meeting rooms. Numerous green belts with walking paths run through the canyons of Tierrasanta. The community has tree-lined streets and a secluded "small town" atmosphere, though it is centrally located with a 20 minute drive to downtown San Diego.
Tierrasanta is a community of single family homes, condominiums, apartments, three shopping centers, a branch of the San Diego Public Library
, and a research park. Also located in the community are several top-ranked elementary and middle schools, part of the San Diego Unified School District
, including Serra High School
.
Dedicated open space areas and landscaped medians are maintained by the Tierrasanta Maintenance Assessment District, which was established in 1972 and most recently approved by voters in 1997. The 818 acres of Tierrasanta Open Space qualifies this urban park
as one of the 150 largest in the United States.
The Tierrasanta Community Council has an agreement with the owners of the Tierra Towne Center for the free use of a large storefront in the shopping center by community groups.
San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, representing District 7, is a resident of Tierrasanta.
Music falling under the categories of jazz and instrumental concert band is quite prominent in addition to the numerous amounts of physical sports teams.
Schools
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The symbol of Tierrasanta is an encircled Conquistador cross, similar to the Montserrat Cross of Barcelona, Spain, though it holds no religious meaning. The community is referred to as "The Island in the Hills" by locals and on welcome signs.
History
Tierrasanta was originally part of the Mission San Diego de AlcaláMission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, in San Diego, California, was the first Franciscan mission in the Las Californias Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It was founded in 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians...
ranch, which was active during the late 18th and 19th centuries. The U.S. military purchased the land in 1941 as Camp Elliott, a Marine Corps training facility. The Marines moved out in 1944 and the land was transferred to the Navy. It was deactivated in 1946. In 1961, the U.S. Government sold the area that is now Tierrasanta and a portion of neighboring Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park is a 5,800 acre open space preserve within the city of San Diego, California, established in 1974. It is the sixth largest municipally-owned park in the United States, and the largest in California.-Description:...
to the City of San Diego. In the following year, the Elliott Community Plan was issued to serve as a roadmap for development going forward, and in 1971 Tierrasanta was founded. The current Tierrasanta community plan was issued in 1982, and included both the currently developed area and much of what is now Mission Trails Regional Park. By 1982 approximately one-half of the private residential area had been developed, with the area called Tierrasanta Norte, in the northeastern part of town, being one of the locations still to be developed. Tierrasanta has been fully built out since the early 1990s, and in 2010 had a population of 30,443 (ZIP code 92124). It was one of the first master planned communities in San Diego.
Because of the area's history as a military training base, some military debris including unexploded ordnance remained in the area when it was developed, in spite of multiple cleanup efforts by different branches of the services. In 1983 two 8-year-old Tierrasanta boys were killed after discovering unexploded ordnance in a canyon near their home. The Navy performed surface clearance operations in 1984 and 1985. Between 1990 and 1995 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed several tons of ordnance and debris under its FUDS (Formerly Used Defense Sites) program. The Corps continues to monitor the area.
In October 2003, Tierrasanta, among other communities in San Diego, was affected by what was known as "Firestorm 2003." This was a conglomeration of the Cedar Fire
Cedar Fire
The Cedar Fire was a human-caused wildfire that burned out of control through a large area of San Diego County, in Southern California, in October 2003...
and numerous other wildfires that converged on Southern California. The residents of Tierrasanta were forced to evacuate. Nearly a dozen homes were lost to the blaze. Shortly after, in 2004, the Tierrasanta Community Emergency Response Team (T-CERT) was created for rapid local response to natural disasters. A similar scare swept through Tierrasanta in the fall of 2007
October 2007 California wildfires
The October 2007 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that began burning across Southern California on October 20. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed and over 500,000 acres of land burned from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border...
, though residents were not required to evacuate.
Geography
Tierrasanta is situated like an island, not directly bordered by any community. It is bounded on the north by the Mount Soledad (52) FreewayCalifornia State Route 52
State Route 52 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California in San Diego County, that extends from La Jolla Parkway at Interstate 5 in La Jolla to Route 67 in Santee. Route 52 is a freeway for its entire length...
and the sprawling southern fields of MCAS Miramar; on the east by the 5800 acres (23.5 km²) Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park is a 5,800 acre open space preserve within the city of San Diego, California, established in 1974. It is the sixth largest municipally-owned park in the United States, and the largest in California.-Description:...
, which has numerous hiking and mountain biking trails; on the west by bluffs bordering the Interstate 15
Interstate 15
Interstate 15 is the fourth-longest north–south Interstate Highway in the United States, traveling through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana from San Diego to the Canadian border...
corridor, and on the south by steep canyons overlooking the San Diego River
San Diego River
The San Diego River is a river in San Diego County, California. It originates in the Cuyamaca Mountains northwest of the town of Julian, then flows to the southwest until it reaches the El Capitan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the river's watershed at . Below El Capitan Dam, the river runs...
and Mission Valley. Community activities focus on the Tierrasanta Recreation Center, which includes lighted sports fields, a large swimming pool, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and meeting rooms. Numerous green belts with walking paths run through the canyons of Tierrasanta. The community has tree-lined streets and a secluded "small town" atmosphere, though it is centrally located with a 20 minute drive to downtown San Diego.
Tierrasanta is a community of single family homes, condominiums, apartments, three shopping centers, a branch of the San Diego Public Library
San Diego Public Library
The San Diego Public Library is a public library system serving the city of San Diego, California.-History:The San Diego Public Library was established on May 19, 1882, by an elected board of library trustees. The first location was rented space in the Commercial Bank building at Fifth and G...
, and a research park. Also located in the community are several top-ranked elementary and middle schools, part of the San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District is the school district of San Diego, California. It was founded in 1854...
, including Serra High School
Junípero Serra High School (San Diego, California)
Junípero Serra High School is a public high school situated in the community of Tierrasanta within the city of San Diego, California. It is nearly adjacent to Murphy Canyon, a large military housing community...
.
Government and culture
The elected Tierrasanta Community Council (TCC) has responsibility for community planning and for advising the City of San Diego and other government agencies on local issues. The TCC supports numerous events in the community such as the Concert in the park series, annual parade, Oktoberfest and other events. The TCC represents the citizens as their voice to the city government on land use and planning issues. The TCC also acts as the communities Town Council and takes positions on things that affect the Tierrasanta Community and the City of San Diego.Dedicated open space areas and landscaped medians are maintained by the Tierrasanta Maintenance Assessment District, which was established in 1972 and most recently approved by voters in 1997. The 818 acres of Tierrasanta Open Space qualifies this urban park
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
as one of the 150 largest in the United States.
The Tierrasanta Community Council has an agreement with the owners of the Tierra Towne Center for the free use of a large storefront in the shopping center by community groups.
San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, representing District 7, is a resident of Tierrasanta.
Cultural amenities
The community has jogging/biking trails and several baseball and soccer teams.Music falling under the categories of jazz and instrumental concert band is quite prominent in addition to the numerous amounts of physical sports teams.
Notable residents
- Tony HawkTony HawkAnthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
grew-up in Tierrasanta and attended Farb Middle School. Presently, the Tony Hawk Foundation is raising funds for a million-dollar skatepark in Tierrasanta
External links
- Planning Dept. Community Profile
- Tierrasanta Community Council
- Tierrasanta Kiwanis
- Yahoo Group for Tierrasanta Norte Neighbors
Schools