Menifee Mom: Enjoy the Open Spaces We Still Have

By Karen Thomas

I can't help but stop and wonder at the beauty that surrounds us this time of year. Springtime always brings an abundance of green to our fields and hillsides. Recent snow in the mountains has given us spectacular views. I think one of the things that draws people to this area is the undeveloped space that gives us room to breathe.

I understand that the development of these "open spaces" has caused quite a controversy in our community. Not only do we lose that piece of nature, but we get added traffic congestion and an overall sense of crowding. Some would like to see growth stopped altogether.

Compared to when I moved here 10 years ago, Menifee has certainly seen a lot of development. Most of it, I think, has been quite a nice addition to the area. New schools, more trees, parks, convenient shopping, and of course the ability to incorporate. I think these have been positive. And, let's admit, there are a lot of undeveloped areas that look less than pristine most of the year. For some areas, trees and shrubs are an improvement.

A loss of the things that make our area unique, however, are saddening. A dairy on the east side of town gave the area a rural feel. We loved it, despite the smell that occasionally came our way. My kids often asked to drive by and we'd watch the cows eating their breakfast. The dairy has since shut down, and I am sad to think that the farms and fields in the area may soon be filled with housing.

An advantage of being a city is that we can control how the area grows. Open spaces can be preserved and measures to limit housing density can be enacted. I know our city has an active planning commission that seeks to ensure that growth in Menifee takes us in the right direction.

Let's face it, growth of a city is inevitable. Growth in some form is required to keep an area vibrant and attractive. There are challenges along the way, and sometimes we seem to take a few steps backwards in order to move forwards.

In the meantime, let's look beyond the construction crews that are popping up and instead pause, take a deep breath, and look to the hillsides and blooming trees and enjoy the beauty of Spring.

Karen Thomas is a stay at home mom of four daughters, has been on the PTA board at her kids' school for four years, and is a volunteer at her church, in addition to her activities as a volunteer soccer referee, a piano teacher, and a runner. Her column will appear here every other week. Comments are welcome.