Council approves stewardship changes for Indian Head Canyon, directs naturalized erosion control and trail naming outreach

The Encinitas City Council unanimously approved amendments to the Indian Head Canyon stewardship plan after residents urged the council to treat the 60-plus-acre site as conservation land rather than a conventional park. Public speaker Sheila (Sheila Cameron) told the council: "This is not a park in the conventional sense. It is a piece of nature that needs to be kept natural," and objected to proposed fencing, gabion baskets and broad use of gravel.

After staff explained that fences and signs are intended for access control and to prevent creation of user trails that damage habitat, councilmembers suggested lower-impact alternatives such as posts-and-rope, logs or brush and boulders for erosion control instead of gravel bags. Staff confirmed signage would be small and discreet and that enforcement of leash rules largely depends on the Humane Society and education/outreach.

Council's motion approved the staff recommendation with the amendment to explore more natural options (posts and rope, brush, logs, rocks/boulders) in lieu of engineered solutions where feasible, and it directed staff to agendize sign potential and trail naming with a public outreach component and referral to the Parks & Recreation Commission for consideration. Council also asked staff to return with maps showing proposed fence/sign locations. The motion passed unanimously.