Carmel, Calif. – The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and The Big Sur Land Trust announced today that construction of the road portion of the Palo Corona Regional Park trails project will begin this month. The project will retire some obsolete ranch roads, re-route parts of the main road and improve existing roads on the front slopes of the park near the mouth of Carmel Valley.

The retired roads will be converted back to their original condition as grasslands and the re-routed portions of the main road will also serve as part of a new 3.5-mile long trail segment within the park that will be completed in May 2011. Improvements to the existing road include updated drainage features and a decomposed granite surface.

Carmel Valley Construction is the contractor for this project which is expected to take two months to complete. During that time the park will be closed to the public.

The Land Trust secured a grant through the California Resource Agency River Parkways Program (Proposition 50) to fund the improvements, which are part of the larger Carmel River Parkway Vision Plan, a community-based plan for restoration, recreation, and education within the Carmel River Valley.

The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) provides leadership and vision for open space acquisitions, park and open space development, natural resources stewardship, and community involvement. MPRPD operates Palo Corona Regional Park, which it acquired for the public in 2004 working in partnership with the State of California, The Nature Conservancy, The Big Sur Land Trust and other agencies. For more information on Palo Corona Regional Park, or other MPRPD parks and preserves, visit www.mprpd.org

Founded in 1978, the mission of The Big Sur Land Trust is to conserve the significant lands and waters of California’s Central Coast for all generations. In collaboration with partners and the community, BSLT has protected more than 30,000 acres of land since its inception. The Land Trust is committed to pursuing land and water conservation work that strengthens our communities and inspires a stewardship ethic so that Monterey County can maintain its unique and special place in the world. The goal and commitment of the Land Trust is to pursue resource conservation that supports the well-being of land and people and sustains our region’s unique quality of life for us all. For more information visit www.bigsurlandtrust.org