It has never been more important to get back out into nature and leave video streaming and continuous news broadcasts behind. Research published in peer-reviewed journals touts the beneficial health effects of reconnecting with nature and we can always use a healthier lifestyle. For those of us living in Goleta, we have a remarkable outdoor space in Lake Los Carneros. Though the water feature was originally dammed in 1873, the dam we experience today was built in 1932. The diversity of habitat types surrounding the lake attract a wide range of wildlife, especially birds. Over the course of a year, up to 271 species can be observed at the lake ( https://ebird.org/hotspot/L336013 ).
To the observant eye, nature provides unique experiences every time one visits the lake. But those are not the only experiences. The park hosts a range of users including walkers (and dog walkers), cyclists, birders, nature photographers, fishing persons, joggers/runners, modest boaters, and even a few nappers. We are fortunate to have such a special outdoor resource located in the middle of our community.
Our Goleta population is growing and with that growth comes an increasing demand for accessible outdoor opportunities. In the past 10 years, Goleta has added over 1,000 residences from apartments to single family homes within three miles of Lake Los Carneros Park. And there are more than 1,000 units on the way between the proposed developments at Glen Annie and Heritage Ridge.