Crest Forest Communities

Community Action Guide

In 2016, the communities embarked on a collective planning process to develop a new community plan. Over the course of a year, residents, business and property owners, and community leaders attended three public workshops (March 2 and 30 and July 18, 2016). During the workshops, participants worked collaboratively to identify strengths and weaknesses, describe the communities’ values, and define future aspirations. With an orientation toward community-based implementation, workshop participants brainstormed areas of focus and actions to help the Crest Forest communities move forward to achieve their aspirations.

This Community Action Guide is a framework of actions identified by the community and supports implementation of the actions by the community. The goals and policies from the previous Community Plan were used to inform the guide and the Policy Plan portion of the Countywide Plan.

Our Community

Learn about who we are, our values, and more.
Go to Our Community
Our Aspirations

Learn about our aspirations for the future of the community.
Go to Our Aspirations
Action Plans

See the actions we'd like to take to realize our aspirations.
Go to Action Guide

Who We Are

The Crest Forest communities consist of several small mountaintop communities where residents enjoy a slower pace of living and neighbors work together to foster a safe environment for families. The Crest Forest communities maintain a strong connection to the natural environment and value its preservation and enhancement, as well as the tourism and recreation opportunities it provides. Community members look to build upon their neighborly communities and promote them as a desirable place to raise a family by attracting full-time families with high quality educational opportunities at all levels, a strong business environment, enhanced natural environment with recreational facilities and activities, and improved public safety.

Community workshops were conducted in each community as part of the engagement process. In addition, input was gathered through the Countywide Plan website. As part of the process, participants defined the strengths of and opportunities for their community. The word cloud below was created using the input provided during the Strengths, Opportunities, Values and Aspirations exercises and served as part of the base information utilized to develop the Focus and Action Statements of the Community Acton Guides. The word cloud quickly informed participants of key issues and focus areas that could be addressed in the guides. The more a word or phrase was articulated, the larger the word appears in the cloud. The full results of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats gathered as a part of the engagement process is found in the Community Profile.
The Values are those shared assets, principles, standards, mores, and in the judgement of the community, what is important in the lives of its residents and businesses. A community’s values are an important consideration in shaping its aspirations, focus and actions.

As a community we value:
- Natural Environment. Crest Forest communities’ residents value their strong connection to the surrounding natural environment and take great pride in all of its elements, including the beauty and tranquility of the mountains, the abundance of plant and wildlife habitats, starry night skies, and fresh air.
- Outdoor Recreational Opportunities. Crest Forest communities’ residents value outdoor recreation activities, including Lake Gregory; skiing, sledding, and snow play; walking/hiking trails, and access to off-highway vehicle areas that draw in visitors and are a source of pride and entertainment for residents.
- Independence and Small Town Community. Crest Forest communities’ residents value their strong independence and the friendliness and involvement of residents, where neighbors know and help each other and work together to foster a safe environment for families.
- Local Living and Tourism. Crest Forest communities’ residents value tourism and the financial benefits it brings to the communities. They cherish the small-town mountain character of their communities and work together to protect and enhance the natural resources of the area while supporting tourism.
The community profile is a summary of the social, cultural, economic, and historic dimensions of the Crest Forest Communities. It presents data collected from secondary sources to inform future actions. The profile, together with future studies and information gathered from residents, highlights essential facets and “tells the story” of the Crest Forest Communities of Crestline, Cedarpines Park, Lake Gregory, and Valley of Enchantment.

2019 Community Profile (opens in a new window)

The Aspirations Statement is a written narrative illustrating how the community desired look and function once the Community Focus Statements and Action Statements are accomplished. This is a long term view of 10 to 20 years. The Aspirations Statement serves as a foundation for developing Community Focus Statements and Action Statements.

In the Crest Forest Communities, we aspire to have:

The quality of mountain life and the protection of the natural environment are critical to the Crest Forest communities. Residents and businesses continue to ensure that the natural environment is protected and enhanced and free of unsightly trash and litter. Community members actively participate in planning and development activities within the communities through participation in public meetings and support of development standards that maintain the mountain character and protect the natural environment.
Our community works to expand affordable and accessible recreational facilities and activities for a variety of ages and abilities. Residents coordinate with the County and the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District to provide facilities and programming that are affordable and meet the needs of current and future residents. The communities also continue to explore opportunities for the joint use of facilities and take advantage of unused spaces when possible.
The communities work with the County of San Bernardino to develop alternative and improved access to and through the Crest Forest communities. Opportunities to reduce vehicular traffic in the area are explored, including a local shuttle/trolley system during peak visitor periods, a regional transportation system, and walking/hiking/cycling paths that connect community nodes. Efforts to construct these alternative means of transportation are implemented or determined to not be possible within the communities at this time.

The Action Plans consists of:

Focus Statements, which provide general direction towards realizing the Community’s aspirations and help organize the plan. (Identified in Workshop #2 and reviewed and finalized in Workshop #3)

Action Statements, which are measurable statements providing critical information on the program, initiative or project to complete. (Identified in Workshop #2 and reviewed and finalized in Workshop #3)

Action Plan Matrices, which provide general sets of action steps necessary to implement each action statement, identify those that would initiate and champion the action statement, provide a general timeline for implementation and identify resources for additional assistance. (Created to support and guide the Community’s identified Focus and Action Statements)

FOCUS STATEMENTS

Expand each Focus Statement to see related Action Statements and download the Action Plan Matrices.

Action Statements
1. Provide additional public amenities such as restrooms, seating areas, open space areas, and lighted pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in the Lake Drive area.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Install improved lighting in public spaces to promote activity and deter crime.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Encourage property owners to maintain and improve their properties (e.g. new paint, façade improvements, trash/debris clean-up).
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Construct sidewalks and additional or improved parking, to enhance safety and efficiency in business areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Coordinate and implement a clean-up program for the downtown/business district areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Collaborate with the County to establish a consistent/compatible design theme for the downtown/business district areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. COMPLETED: Identify recreation needs, including facilities and programs, by working with residents from all age groups and abilities.* *Completed by Rim of the World Recreation and Parks District
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. IN PROCESS: Identify opportunities for joint-use of underused and vacant facilities to serve recreation needs.* *The Park District has a joint use agreement with the School District for classes.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. IN PROCESS: Identify opportunities to incorporate bike trails within the communities.* *The Rim of the World Active Transportation Plan was adopted in March 2018.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Host family-friendly activities/events such as movie nights at Lake Gregory.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. IN PROCESS: Identify centralized open space/community gathering areas for programming of community events.* *In progress by the Crestline Community Development Alliance and Chamber of Commerce.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Encourage locally-sponsored events by advocating with the County for a simplified and streamlined permit process.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Provide dumpsters and signage that encourages proper disposal of trash in high-traffic visitor areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Investigate opportunities to establish designated sledding areas with parking to avoid visitors establishing undesignated sledding and parking areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Provide signage, maps, and other informational materials that identify trails and amenities.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Develop programs and marketing materials that educate visitors on the natural environment and importance of its protection in order to foster responsible tourist behavior.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Encourage the establishment of ecotourism businesses.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Establish an annual Arts and Music Festival while supporting arts and music programs.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Partner with the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency (EDA) to provide information for visitors and local experts to provide educational tours.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Attract and retain permanent residents by developing and implementing a marketing campaign to highlight the values of mountain living for young families focusing on education, family values, community, natural environment, and activities.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Establish a marketing plan that focuses on the natural environment and existing tourist attractions and amenities, such as Lake Gregory Regional Park.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Establish a marketing plan with incentives to attract new businesses to the area.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Establish a marketing plan with incentives to encourage home-based businesses.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Establish regional collaborative relationships mountain-wide between employers and high schools and local public or local non-profit junior colleges such as San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College to offer low-cost credentialing and certification programs to increase educational opportunities for employees to gain job skills.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Initiate strategies to improve communications with business and develop a Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) program.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Establish a business appreciation program, including events, webinars, and awards.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
8. Identify and develop entrepreneurial talent in coordination with existing programs at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) through a coaching program and entrepreneur training program, known as “Economic Gardening”.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
9. Equip the local Chamber of Commerce to be a one stop shop for help with regulatory permits, financing sources, and serve as ombudsperson with local agencies.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Neighborhood watch programs are established for at least 50 percent of the Crest Forest communities’ residential areas, with each program continuing to function for at least five years from its inception. Ensure each program has established leadership that meets regularly (at least once a quarter), and meets with representatives from the Sheriff’s Department at least once annually.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Encourage community members to participate in the Citizens Patrol Program coordinated through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Partner with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Design and promote materials to educate about identifying and reporting illegal dumping activities.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Identify infrastructure improvements that would increase and improve access within and between the communities.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Establish mountain-wide partnerships for joint use of existing Public School infrastructure and junior colleges to provide expanded educational opportunities for residents.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Investigate the declining enrollment and quality of public schools for the mountain communities through community organizing and involvement that fosters dialogue and collaboration with the local schools.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix

Download the Community Action Guide

Download the Community Action Guide in PDF format.

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