After 27 years, it was finally a reality: The Redlands Emerald Necklace!
The Emerald Necklace concept was created in 1987 in Redlands by a citizen committee that wrote the report titled “Redlands Park and Open Space Plan”, dubbed by everyone who care The Emerald Necklace. The committee envisioned a swath of green – citrus groves, parks, natural open space, San Timoteo Canyon and Creek, Santa Ana River wash – that would encircle the City of Redlands, defining it from neighboring towns and providing it with a setting unlike that of any other town in the inland area.
The plan was incorporated into the 1994 General Plan, and citizens voted Measure O to fund the City’s acquisition of land for the Emerald Necklace pieces. Still, the Emerald Necklace remained difficult to define, until Redlands Conservancy launched the first Emerald Necklace Grand Tour in 2014. With a Grand Tour of motorists, bus riders, and over 200 bicyclists, the event introduced Redlands’ residents and visitors to the sites and smells of the swath of green that (mostly) still surrounds Redlands.
Today, the Emerald Necklace Trail and Scenic Route is celebrated with the periodic Emerald Necklace Grand Tour, scheduled for the late winter or early spring when the hills and canyons are truly emerald in color. The tour features turn-by-turn instructions for cyclists and drivers, and a luxury bus with tour guide to describe the many gems on Redlands‘ Emerald Necklace.
For an interactive map of Redlands trails and driving tours, including the Emerald Necklace Trail and Scenic Route, click here.
Emerald Necklace Gems:
Asistencia, 26930 Barton Road – 1930s re-creation of an 1830s outpost for Mission San Gabriel; events center and public gathering place
San Timoteo Canyon – including Beverley’s Pond, and San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary with Cocomaricopa Trail and Carriage Trail
Live Oak Canyon – including Herngt ‘Aki’ Preserve with nine miles of trails, and Gateway Ranch, trail head for many miles of trails in Riverside County
Overlook Drive to Crafton area
Crafton area citrus groves
Santa River bluff and wash, Bluffs Trail
East Valley Corridor Trail
Zanja Trail and Zanja Park, Lincoln and Laramie
Orange Blossom Trail, east and west
Heritage Park, Orange Avenue between Iowa and Nevada Streets, including 1903 Barton School House
Barton House, Nevada Street next to Asistencia
