“Being a volunteer for the Tri-canyon parks allows me to enjoy creating a huge ‘garden.’ I have the pleasure and honor of sharing it with my neighbors and with the next generation of canyon aficionados.”

University City resident Joe Matista
Tri-canyon Parks’ Volunteer since 1998

The City of San Diego, Department of Parks and Recreation, operates a tri-canyon parks office out of the Tecolote Nature Center in Clairemont. Rangers based at the office oversee city parks’ properties in Tecolote, Rose and San Clemente canyons. Volunteers are critical to the success of the city park system and the rangers always welcome volunteers interested in providing service. The Tri-canyon Ranger office is at the Tecolote Nature Center and can be reached at (858) 581-9961.

One such volunteer is University City resident Joe Matista who has volunteered since February 1998 through the Tri-canyon ranger office. With oversight by city rangers and help from many other volunteers, Joe Matista has created a native plant restoration project on city parkland at the west end of Governor Drive where Governor Drive terminates at Stresemann Street. This extraordinary volunteer restoration effort includes a native plant nursery where Joe Matista has raised many of the native plants used in the restoration, propagating them from seeds found on site or in nearby canyons. Over the years, Joe Matista and other volunteers have removed invasive exotics, grown and planted native plants and created a meandering trail system, affectionately known as the “Matista Trail” which leads to a sunset viewing platform.