Vail Ranch renovations move forward

Vail Ranch Restoration Association Special to the Village News

Excitement is building as each new detail of the ranch nears completion. And those details are many! The new stable building is taking shape as the Arteco team devotes their attention to it. Spring has brought life to the trees, some which are over 100 years old and others that were planted 15 years ago. We are anxiously waiting the new landscaping and planting of 30 or more trees on the property.

Two sections of the site will be covered with grass watered by an innovative irrigation system that utilizes a mat with soaker tubes installed under the drought-resistant sod. The grass roots are watered without excessive evaporation.

If you drive by the ranch at night you will notice new lighting on the buildings and along the pathway. Trees and historical features will also be illuminated.

Local artist Bob Morris is working with Cody McGaughy from the Murrieta Machine Shop to fabricate a top for the old Vail Ranch water tank that will be placed on the platform next to the windmill soon.

Members of the community both young and not so young have provided materials, artifacts and labor to help Arteco and VaRRA with the site renovation. We are proud of the eight Eagle Scout projects done over the past few years after a lot of planning and hard work. Two projects were completed during the last month.

VaRRA (Vail Ranch Restoration Association) and Arteco Partners have designed historic markers to be placed on granite blocks outside each historic structure with a wagon wheel attached to make them easily recognizable. The markers make it possible to take a self-guided informative tour through the property.

A Grand Opening and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held this summer. Soon visitors will be strolling through a Tuesday morning farmers market and will be getting coffee and ice cream while listening to live music under the canopy of trees that whisper secrets of the past.

This site nearly was obliterated but VaRRA and Arteco Partners made sure it was saved and renovated with love to give our community a place to pause, reflect and renew.