Beaumont Ponders 123-Acre Park At Old Danny Thomas Ranch

BEAUMONT, CA — A proposed 123-acre regional park on the former Danny Thomas Ranch remains under consideration, and Beaumont is pondering what role it might play in the plan.

One thing has been established: If the city does invest public resources into the concept, the land on the north side of Cherry Valley Boulevard, about a mile east of Interstate 10, should be annexed into Beaumont city limits.

During Tuesday night's Beaumont City Council meeting, council members voted unanimously to have city staff review a memorandum of understanding that would allow discussions to begin with the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation & Park Improvement Corporation about the property. The open space and ranch land was donated to the nonprofit by Irvine-based Shopoff Realty Investments, the developer behind the massive logistics center known as the San Gorgonio Crossing that's under construction on the outskirts of Calimesa.

The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation & Park Improvement Corporation sent a Jan. 12 letter to the city announcing its plans to develop the park just east of the Shopoff development.

"We believe this property will go a long way in helping us fulfill our mission of meeting the recreational needs of our growing community by providing residents with park facilities and recreational programs of outstanding quality," the letter read.

The letter invited the city to "explore possibilities that maximize the park and recreational benefits for our mutual constituencies."

In reaching a decision to take a first step, Beaumont Mayor Pro Tem Julio Martinez said, "The project has the potential to really bring a premier focal point to the area."

Martinez said he would "be curious, but very protective" of what's best for the city.

All of the council members agreed that if public funds are used in the project, the land should first be annexed into city limits. The park's ownership and management would fall to the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation & Park Improvement Corporation, the council members said.

Mayor Lloyd White and Council Member Rey SJ Santos were appointed to serve on an ad hoc committee that will sit in on any future discussions about the project.

A draft memorandum of understanding will be brought back to City Council for review at its Feb. 15 meeting.