“The park has been both protected and enhanced by involved citizens.”

Marlene Shaw, Member since 1985
Marian Bear Natural Park Recreation Council

The Marian Bear Natural Park Recreation Council, a volunteer board of the city of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, has a truly extraordinary record of service to the Rose Creek Watershed. The board, which began meeting in March of 1985, currently contains nineteen members. Those nineteen people, between them, have provided 140 years of volunteer participation to the Marian Bear Memorial Park, one of the jewels of the Rose Creek Watershed.

Their successes are many. In 1983, a developer proposed to cut-and-fill 69 acres of open space adjacent to the southeast boundary of park. This proposal sparked community activism (led by Walt and Marlene Shaw with partners John and Irene Syson) that was successful in saving both the canyons and the mesas of all 69 acres plus an additional 3.7 acres. At the urging of these and other area preservationists, the San Diego City Council proceeded with the purchase of the 72.7 acres and later dedicated the land as protected open space. On May 2, 1987, officials including then-Mayor Maureen O'Connor , then-6th District Council Member Mike Gotch and groups representing the adjacent Ray A. Kroc Middle School, held a dedication ceremony for that once-threatened land, bringing the total number of acres protected by the Marian Bear Natural Park Recreation Council to 467 acres.

March 2005 marked the 20th year of service for the Marian Bear Natural Park Recreation Council and the 20th year of service for four of the original members of the council: Joe Steinbach, Val Kraft, Walt Shaw and Marlene Shaw. The council welcomes new members with an interest in protecting the park. Over the years, the park council has included active involvement by the widower Marshall Bear, the daughter Phyllis Bear, the son Marshall Bear, the daughter-law Cheryl Bear, and the grandson Deron Bear. The latter is the current chairperson of the recreation council.

Contact the Tri-canyon Ranger office at (858) 581-9961 for information about the meetings and activities of the Marian Bear Natural Park Recreation Council.