Sikes Adobe gets $5,000 grant from landscape architect society

ESCONDIDO The San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects awarded a $5,000 grant to enhance the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancys Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead site.

A master plan was drawn up pro bono to outline improvements at the historic farmstead in Escondido, one of only a few adobes in the area dating back to the 1870s.

Improvements include building a timber barn for community events that historically recreates what was on the site and building trail head parking with ADA access, shade canopies and picnic tables along with amenities such as a trail bridge and signs for the existing Coast to Crest Trail.

The plan includes planting native trees and shrubs and installing a drip irrigation system for the recently completed peach orchard, planted as part of an Eagle Scout project. Plans also call for growing native grapes propagated from cuttings of 1870s historic vines.

In-Site Landscape Architectures Tim Jachlewski, a licensed landscape architect, worked closely on the master plan with the Sikes museum manager, Anne Cooper, and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority.

The goal is to increase the historic ambiance and replace bare ground and weed-infested areas with native plants and a community garden. The project, which is scheduled to start early next year, will raise awareness about the work of landscape architects.

The farmhouse, a San Diego historical landmark and a State Point of Historical Interest, was restored in 2004. The wooden farmhouse burned during the 2007 Witch Creek Fires, leaving only the adobe walls. The San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy restored the farmhouse and reopened the museum in 2010. Later the adobe was recognized with a Phoenix Award by San Diego-based Save Our Heritage Organisation.

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Sikes Adobe gets $5,000 grant from landscape architect society