The Wren’s View Preserve is a 116-acre parcel located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon, and immediately north of O’Neill Regional Park and Trabuco Creek.
The acquisition of this preserve contributes to the EMP’s goal of joining together adjacent open space areas in the foothills, while at the same time limiting urban encroachment.
Participants must be 12 years and over. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Wren’s View Preserve, formerly known as O’Neil Oaks, is a 116-acre parcel located northwest of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita in Trabuco Canyon, and immediately north of O’Neill Regional Park and Trabuco Creek. Access is from Live Oak Canyon Road and Trabuco Canyon Road. The Preserve features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 920 to 1,250 feet above mean sea level.
The Preserve has a variety of habitats including:
- Coastal Sage Scrub
- Chaparral
- Oak Woodland
Wren’s View provides habitat for several important species
such as:
- Coastal California Gnatcatcher
- Cactus Wren
- Intermediate Mariposa Lily
- Many-Stemmed Dudleya
- Chaparral Nolina
- Coast Horned Lizard
- Orange-Throated Whiptail
- Mountain Lion
- Bobcat
Several important wildlife movement corridors have been identified on Wren’s View. One was specifically identified that runs along the western edge and extends adjacent to Live Oak Canyon Road which provides connectivity to the Cleveland National Forest. Mammals expected to use the corridors include mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and gray foxes.
The acquisition of this preserve contributes to the EMP’s goal of joining together adjacent open space areas at the foothills, while at the same time limiting urban encroachment. The Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan would have allowed the construction of 36 dwelling units; however, OCTA’s acquisition of this property allows the area to be preserved as open space. This enhances the natural open space value of O’Neill Regional Park, and provides a larger open space buffer adjacent to Trabuco Creek, which is also
Chaparral Yucca an important wildlife corridor.
