Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve

11/15/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1135699825442620&id=100070078387370&mibextid=wwXIfr

08/14/2025

Friends of Hellhole Canyon Supporter:
As you may already know San Diego County Parks and Recreation has acquired Butterfield Trails Ranch as a County Park. At this point the County is seeking community input in developing amenities at the park. The board of the Friends of Hellhole Canyon, the Valley Center Trails Association, the Valley Center Historical Society and many of the people who have attended events at Butterfield have expressed their belief that Butterfield should be preserved in a way for people to enjoy its natural beauty. This would include trails, a picnic area, parking, and restrooms. As Butterfield borders Moosa Creek it is part of a natural wildlife corridor that extends from the San Luis Rey River in Bonsall to the Paradise Mountain/Hellhole Canyon area. As Valley Center develops in the coming years this will become more and more important as a way for wildlife of all kinds to safely travel as they forage for food, seek mates and raise their young. Future higher density development also makes the existence of area that provides easy access to an open natural setting more valuable for the community especially children. Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, explains that a growing body of research finds that direct exposure to nature is critical for healthy childhood physical and mental development that extends to adulthood.
Your opinion is important, please take a few minutes and fill out a seven point survey expressing your thoughts. Access the survey at -
https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/parks-valley-center-intergenerational-center/surveys/butterfield-trails-ranch-park-star-valley-park-intergenerational-center-public-outreach-survey

Thanks,
Joaquin Aganza
President
Friends of Hellhole Canyon

Please share your feedback on Butterfield Trails Ranch, Star Valley Park, and the idea of a Intergenerational Center. The survey is 7 questions long and may take up to 5-10 minutes to complete. All survey responses are anonymous.If you would like to provide your feedback in an alternate format,...

11/15/2024

Reminder this sat. .

10/05/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1044599434341954&id=100063757220073

Tickets almost sold out: Special Event & Unique Opportunity Sunday, October 13

The Valley Center History Museum is presenting a special event on October 13 at Rancho Guejito, a spectacular location adjacent to the Valley Center community. This property is a vast undeveloped parcel of land that includes the last intact Mexican land grant parcel in the state of California. And as a bonus the event will be held on the exterior of the handsome 8,000 square foot hacienda.
This is an excellent opportunity both to support Valley Center’s own gem of a museum and also a rare chance to visit the interior of Rancho Guejito. Sign up online at www.VCHistory.org/tickets. Information: [email protected] or (760) 749-2993 during museum hours.

12/31/2023

The Friends of Hellhole Canyon is pleased to report that on Friday, December 29, escrow closed on Butterfield Trails Ranch making it now a San Diego County property. This could not have happened without the tremendous support of Valley Center organizations and residents and the cooperation of Supervisor Jim Desmond and his hard working staff. Special thanks for their efforts goes out to the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, the Valley Center Trails Association, the Valley Center Vaqueros and the Valley Center Historical Society. Next steps are likely to be a planning process for how the property will be developed as a County Park. Part of this process will be opportunities for public input. We will let you know as this proceeds as your thoughts and opinions are important

Thank you for all your support. Congratulations valley center.

Butterfield Trails Ranch, A Park For Valley Center?Please support the acquisition ofButterfield Trails Ranchas a county park.Email our County Supervisor Jim ...

06/29/2023

Exciting News! Funding Approved for Parkland Purchase in Valley Center.

We are excited to inform you that the Board of Supervisors has recently approved the funding to purchase Butterfield Trails Ranch, marking a significant milestone for securing parkland in Valley Center. The county's allocation of $3 million, combined with a generous $2 million donation from an anonymous conservation foundation, has made this acquisition possible.

Now, let us extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who made this achievement a reality. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the county board of supervisors, particularly our representative Jim Desmond, for their support throughout this process. Our heartfelt thanks also go out to Wayne Hillbig, the current owner of the property, for recognizing the importance of preserving this land for future generations. We are incredibly grateful to the residents of Valley Center, whose overwhelming support has been instrumental in securing this funding. Lastly, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of numerous local organizations that have tirelessly worked alongside us to make this dream a reality.

This milestone is a testament to the power of community and the unwavering dedication of individuals like yourself who have supported Friends of Hellhole Canyon. Your continuous advocacy and commitment to preserving our natural heritage have made this achievement possible. Together, we have taken a significant step toward ensuring the conservation and accessibility of this pristine piece of land.

Once again, thank you for being an integral part of Friends of Hellhole Canyon. We look forward to sharing further updates with you as we embark on this adventure

06/09/2023

YOUR HELP NEEDED NOW!!!!!

Support Butterfield Trails Ranch Park: Your Voice Matters at the Upcoming BOS Budget Vote!

We are closer than ever to making Butterfield Trails Ranch Park a reality for Valley Center.

Next week the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is voting on the budget for the next year. Jim Desmond has placed the purchase of Butterfield in the proposed budget. Please email the BOS at [email protected] to show your support for this spectacular landscape as a central park for Valley Center.
Please don't hesitate to share this email with your network or on social media to maximize our impact. Spread the word, ignite enthusiasm, and let us all unite behind this transformative vision.

Thank you for your support and dedication to the betterment of Valley Center. Together, we can make Butterfield Trails Ranch Park a reality and create a lasting legacy for our community.

Sincerely,

Joaquin Aganza
President
Friends of Hellhole Canyon

Our mailing address is:
[email protected]



Email again is. [email protected]

10/05/2022

Please join us and show your support

04/06/2022

TODay. On Wednesday 4/6 at 9AM, the Board of Supervisors will vote on Valley Center's Butterfield Trails Ranch!
(*note - this is a vote to study the project and review the site/feasibility - not a vote on the park just yet..)

If you attended the park preview tour in November, are into the pictures you've seen + stories you've heard, or maybe you are just now hearing about this proposal and are keen on the idea of a new park in VC, PLEASE send a *quick* email with your support to:
[email protected]

Public comments may also be made (and viewed) here:https://sdcounty.granicusideas.com/meetings/1700-board-of-supervisors-meeting/agenda_items/6244ad7d7d79658b9600048b-4-exploring-the-feasibility-of-acquiring-butterfi

Support from our local community is key to the future of this park! Let's voice our opinions on conserving nature and creating recreational space in our backyard. Please take a few minutes to reach out to Supervisor Jim Desmond and his fellow supervisors if this project speaks to you! More info, including some rad drone video footage here:
http://www.hellholecanyon.org/butterfield-trails-ranch-parkland

The Friends of Hellhole Canyon supports the potential acquisition of the historic Butterfield Trails Ranch by San Diego County for parkland. This nearly 60-acre gem of a property is a key element of our vision for more recreational open space in the Valley Center area. Watch our videos on this page....