Bastanchury Creek Greenbelt AKA Bastanchury Tree Farm

Download our our latest newsletter
The photo above shows the LoveFullerton event. Photo by Frank Jahn.

1updatemay.pdf

Download
Mission
The mission of the Bastanchury Creek Greenbelt Committee is to work with the City of Fullerton to develop the two remaining vacant parcels of the Bastanchury Greenbelt as a native plant park. We envision the two now-vacant city lots, formerly known as the Bastanchury Tree Farm, becoming a linear native plant greenbelt with specialty gardens, connected by a network of trails along a rehabilitated Bastanchury Creek. By leveraging the uniqueness of the site, this concept takes advantage of the most cost-effective option while at the same time providing a diverse outdoor nature experience for everyone in Fullerton.

We advocate the use of native plants for this park because they require little maintenance and water, no fertilizer, and no pesticides. A native plant greenbelt would provide unique opportunities for nature lovers, bicyclists, hikers, equestrians, and community service activities. Recognizing the diverse interests of Fullerton residents, we believe it is important to have a variety of specialty areas throughout the park such as a monarch butterfly sanctuary, a sensory garden for the sight-impaired, community wildflower plots, student research areas, a hummingbird garden, a birdwatching trail, and other community outdoor activities. Because of the nature of a native plant park, and the opportunity for the public to contribute to its design, construction, and maintenance, this greenbelt park will be relatively inexpensive to construct and maintain, and will qualify for external funding from otherwise inaccessible sources.
Download  and print a copy of our brochure for yourself or a friend: 
Reinventing Bastanchury Tree Farm:
FAQ 
and Draft Proposal for a New Bastanchury Creek Greenbelt 
Download
Vision
Imagine walking along intersecting paths through the smells and colorful blooms of California native plants and trees. You have your choice of exploring several level trails that wind through the area, taking you past different types of indigenous plants and perhaps within feet of butterflies feeding on the flowers or a hawk that comes gliding through the tall trees. Maybe you’ll take a quiet streamside stroll, or you might choose the sunlit path instead. As you walk you will be bathed in the soothing scents and sounds of nature, your spirits will lift and your stress levels will lower.

Right now we are only imagining this, but with community involvement, this can become a reality.

Friends for a Livable Fullerton is asking for your help in redeveloping the two former Bastanchury Tree Farms into a park that everyone in the community can enjoy. We are assembling a coalition of Fullerton residents to assist the City in determining the type of “park / recreation use” for the Bastanchury Greenbelt.

It’s time to make this area the place it was meant to be; a place for all of Fullerton to enjoy while protecting this unique habitat for the future.

Where is the Bastanchury Greenbelt?

The Bastanchury Greenbelt is five parcels on the west side of the southern end of Bastanchury Road, between Malvern Ave. and Euclid Rd. The existing Bastanchury Sports Park is at the southern end, adjacent to Malvern. The Sunny Hills High School Agriculture Department separates the two remaining undeveloped parcels.
What is the Former Bastanchury Tree Farm / Bastanchury Greenbelt?

The former Bastanchury Tree Farm / Greenbelt area is a little confusing, with overlapping names, owners, history and features. “Bastanchury Tree Farm” is a description referring to two separate lots within a narrow, 5-parcel greenbelt that the City of Fullerton leased to several agricultural businesses over the years, including, most recently, the Senna Tree Farm. There was always an understanding that eventually the land would be developed into public parks.

In 2020, the City ended the agricultural leases, and declared the northern parcel “surplus land,” to sell it for housing development. It was revealed that the City had originally purchased the lot under an official agreement that restricted the land use to “park/recreation” purposes, and that it was listed in the General Plan as “parks and recreation". Due to public objections, the City eventually rescinded its decision and acknowledged the “parks and recreation” designation.

Why Is A Native Plant Greenbelt the Best Use of This Property?
  • A native plant park has access to many county, state and private funding sources.
  • Native plants require little maintenance, irrigation, pest control or fertilizer.
  • This type of greenbelt offers multiple opportunities for community involvement and investment:
-Opportunities for local students to be involved in ecological studies and projects
-Smell and touch garden for visually-impaired and neuroatypical individuals
-Community plots to grow native wildflowers
-An area focusing on native plants that attract hummingbirds and pollinators
-An area featuring plants used by indigenous peoples
-Plots of native milkweed plants as the basis for a monarch sanctuary
-A designated birding path along the seasonal creek and rehabilitated riparian habitat
-Relaxation areas with serene views, with seating on memorial benches
-Fullerton prides itself as a Tree City with open areas such as Coyote Hills, Hillcrest Park, and the Fullerton Arboretum – this greenbelt park builds on that tradition.

Why Not Just Leave the Area Undeveloped?
  • These two city-owned vacant parcels are officially designated for “park/recreational use” and should be used for that purpose.
  • Over 100 non-native abandoned trees have rooted in the ground and are dying for lack of water.
  • The lots have become a fire hazard because of these dying trees, seasonal dead weeds, and the activities of unhoused individuals using the culverts for permanent shelter.
  • Discarded needles are common in the area.
  • Illegal dumping of construction debris and household refuse has become a problem.
  • Invasive, non-native plants are clogging many sections of the creek, which is a flooding hazard.
  • The area is an eyesore and residents are concerned about the abandoned, run-down feeling of the area.
A pleasant, well-used park with the low-growing plants, open-view landscaping and many trails proposed here, would show that the area isn’t abandoned, while providing a great amenity for the whole city.

What Is Unique and Special About the Bastanchury Greenbelt Area?
This hidden gem is a one-mile corridor of trees, creek, and open space located just north of Malvern

  • It is a flat area at the end of an ancient arroyo formed by a now intermittent creek (Bastanchury Creek), and at a rare confluence of two creeks where Bastanchury Creek meets Brea Creek
  • Its coastal sage scrub and streamside habitat are rapidly disappearing ecosystems
  • It has several already established well-used trails, which eventually connect with five other trails
  • The 1-mile Bastanchury hiking trail runs the length of the Bastanchury Greenbelt and a section of it is part of the famous Fullerton Loop Bike and Hiking Trail
  • It is seen daily by thousands of drivers using the official Bastanchury scenic corridor
  •  It is the closest creekside nature park to South Fullerton, and open to everyone to use

What Would It Cost to Maintain and Operate a Native Plant Park?
  • The City is in a financial crisis, but does have limited park funds available
  • A nature park will have wider access to grants and qualify for specialized grant funding options that will allow Fullerton to take advantage of outside funding sources
  • Community groups can adopt areas and trails to assist with upkeep throughout the park
  •  Less money is required for maintenance for native plants than a typical “turf park”

How Can I Learn More and Get Involved?
  1. To learn more, sign up for important announcements, donate, and volunteer to help with restoration and creek litter pick up, sign up HERE or call / text
  2. To attend key City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission Board meetings and/or officially comment on this issue, see the above or directly   visit www.CityofFullerton.com and ask your friends and neighbors to do the same!
  3. You can read more about past activity in the News section.

We need your help! Please join us in restoring this ancient greenbelt as a nature park!
Abandoned Palm Trees - Southern Parcel
- Jahn, Frank
Culvert at the very southern end of the BTF area, at Hughes - Jahn, Frank
Pool at South End of Southern Parcel - Jahn, Frank
Trash dumped along Bastanchury Channel North Parcel - Jahn, Frank
Search