For some, it is a place of recreation.
For Long Beach Area Council Cub Scout Pack 62, the Carbon Canyon Regional Park’s 3-acre grove of redwood trees is a place of learning.
“To be able to go hike to a unique location, a grove of redwood trees in Southern California, fit the bill perfectly,” said Christopher Frost, Leader of the Webelos in Pack 62, who led them on a hike through the park following a lesson on plants, trees and ecology with the cub scouts earlier in the month.
“It’s one thing to show them in a book ‘hey, here’s a redwood tree’ but it’s another to actually go out and see it,” added Joe Johnson, Cub Master for Pack 62.
Southern California residents are increasingly connecting with nature at the redwood grove.
“The redwood grove provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and learn about Coastal Redwoods, which are typically not found in Southern California,” said Danielle Kennedy, Public Information Officer for OC Parks.
Carbon Canyon Regional Park — located in the City of Brea off State Route 142 — received more than 300,000 visitors in 2023, according to OC Parks Park Ranger Matthew Fox.
It costs $3 during the week and $5 on weekends to access park facilities.
Others visiting the park are in search of hikes within the county.
“We were looking for a hike that wasn’t too far from home,” said Margo Kasdan, who was joined by husband Martin Fiebert.
Kasdan and Fiebert, who are Seal Beach residents, read about the grove in a book they checked out from the Seal Beach Library.
“I heard about this years ago, but we figured it was a good day to come out,” Fiebert added.
The park opened in 1975 following the creation of a dam at Carbon Canyon Creek. The grove was planted the same year, using seeds donated by a local bank that distributed them as an incentive to open accounts, according to Fox.
“With the growth of Orange County after World War II, protection from flooding from the County’s many creeks, including Carbon Canyon Creek, became a major concern,” said Fox. “As a result, Carbon Canyon Dam was completed in 1961 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”
As the county’s climate is not as wet as their native terrain, the 250 coastal redwood trees are sustained through a sprinkler system.
“Because the trees in this grove are not indigenous, they may appear unhealthy,” reads an informative sign at the grove.
Coastal redwoods are not indigenous to Orange County, although they are found in central and Northern California.
The grove at Carbon Canyon Regional Park is the largest grove of Coastal Redwoods in the county, according to Kennedy.
Frost also noted that the grove can inspire the next generation.
“It’s always good to be knowledgeable about your environment,” he said,”and know how you can best protect it so that it’s here for the next generation.”
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at Etaylor@voiceofoc.org
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