Pismo Beach Preserve opens to outdoor adventurist

PISMO BEACH, Calif.-

A local nonprofit bought 11 miles of wildlife and hiking trails in Pismo beach off Hwy 101.
The new Preserve welcomed hikers and bikers for its grand opening this weekend.

“There are canyons, Oakwood lands, a lot of open space the vistas are incredible,” said the Land Conservancy board member Jim Patterson.

The nonprofit organization, Land Conservancy, purchased almost 900 acres of the land overlooking the pacific ocean.

“We recognized a need for an incredible open space area here in the southern part of San Luis Obispo County,” said executive director of the Land Conservancy Kaila Detteman.

The Land Conservancy works to protect the land and wildlife.

“This is a huge asset to our community. It's a huge asset for our visitors to Pismo Beach and the entire SLO County,” said Pismo Beach Mayor Protem Erik Howell.

The numerous trails are open to mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders.

“It was a really great experience, the trails were mark really great. The weather was beautiful,” said visitor Sabrina New.

“Bikers, runners, hikers, kids, dogs what more could you ask for,” said Pismo Beach resident Ted Whittington.

The Land Conservancy managed to raise almost 12 million dollars to make the 11 miles of the beautiful trial possible.

The Conservancy relied on local governments and private donors to raise the funds.

“It took us working with state officials to get major grant funds to help purchase the property.
But people also gave money out of there own pockets, we had 14 individuals give to the purchase,” said Detteman.