Newberry Springs

Community Action Guide

In 2016, the community embarked on a planning process to develop a community plan. Two public workshops were held on November 30, 2016 and January 25, 2017. These workshops, open to any Newberry Springs resident, business, or property owner addressed strengths and weaknesses of the community, the community’s values, and what Newberry Springs aspires to be in the future. Workshop participants brainstormed areas of focus and actions to help the community move forward to achieve its aspirations. This Community Action Guide is a framework of actions identified by the community and supports implementation of the actions by the community.

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

Newberry Springs is a community that values desert living and the serenity, independence, and access to nature it affords. recreation, open sky and access to nature. The community strives to take better advantage of its location on Route 66 to grow its economy by developing more activities and services for local tourists. Newberry Springs prides itself on its self-sufficiency and maintains, through its Community Services District, a volunteer fire department, a large community park, a resident- built community building, and dark skies-compatible street lighting. A number of organizations give residents ample opportunity to be involved in community life and projects.

Community workshops were conducted in Newberry Springs 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 Action Guide. The word cloud quickly informed participants of key issues and focus areas that could be addressed in the guide. 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 are found in the Community Profile.
The Values are those shared assets, principles, standards, mores, and in the judgment 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:
- Serenity and Desert Landscape. Newberry Springs values its setting in the Mojave Desert. Residents love the wide open spaces, clear night skies and quietness that are prime benefits of the community’s location.
- Rural Living. Newberry Springs values the independence, large-lots, agricultural neighbors and small-town atmosphere associated with being a rural community.
- Self-Sufficient and Tight-Knit Community. Newberry Springs values a community of good people, open communications and neighbors who are helpful and caring. They value their community independence and rely on one another, as a community, to solve problems and move Newberry Springs forward.
The community profile is a summary of the social, cultural, economic, and historic dimensions of the community. It is a gathering of objective data collected through secondary sources meant to inform and help facilitate discussion during the community meetings. The profile, together with future studies and information gathered from residents during the community meetings, will highlight essential facets and “tell the story” of the Newberry Springs Community.

2020 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.

We have grown the overall wealth of the community through re-establishing our tourism-based economy. We have fully capitalized on our presence on Route 66 by encouraging the development of eco-tourism businesses such as desert tours to give travelers a reason to stop and enjoy the community. Our weekly farmers and artists market showcases local produce and arts and crafts bringing visitors into the community. The bustle along Route 66 has attracted new businesses and housing to the immediate area creating a village atmosphere. Our cleanup committee has successfully improved the overall cleanliness of Newberry Springs through code violation education and volunteer cleanup days.
We knew that successful economic growth would mean more investment in community services for our residents. The fire department has recruited additional volunteers, provided additional training and developed a better communications system and water supply. Through negotiations with the Mojave Water Agency, we have partnered to solve water access issues. Internet is now available throughout the community allowing our residents better access to information, education and the ability to develop home-based businesses.

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. Encourage the county to adopt a water conservation ordinance.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Establish a fair reporting system and use structure for basin in coordination with the Mojave Water Agency (MWA).
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Encourage a partnership between the MWA and the San Bernardino County Water Element Group for increasing and spreading basins.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Enhance opportunities for viable grants for individuals who need or require wells.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Encourage honest discourse with MWA and County regarding the water situation.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Construct a catch basin at the Kane Wash.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Construct retention ponds for the areas.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
8. Encourage MWA to monitor and enforce rules for minimal producers.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Establish a neighborhood watch program for Newberry Springs.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Install a distributed water supply in case of fire emergencies (10 – 12 tanks).
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Establish primary and back-up emergency communication systems.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Establish a local resident recruiting program for both the Citizens on Patrol and the Volunteer Fire Department.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Educate property owners to maintain a 100 foot clearance around homes in the community to reduce fire risk.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Construct access across the Mojave River at Harvard Street for emergency service calls.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Promote home based business opportunities.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Establish a small farmers market with fresh produce supplied by local farmers.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Host seasonal community events to attract visitors to the community.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Work with incumbent utilities to improve internet services.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Coordinate a comprehensive review of zoning and circulation.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Develop an airport re-use plan that would include the potential for industrial development.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Develop a community economic development/business plan.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
8. Establish architectural sign guidelines.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
9. Create a website or Facebook page to promote community activities and events.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
10. Establish a community calendar to organize and schedule community events.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
11. Coordinate desert tour trips.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
12. Partner with outside organizations to promote and enhance Route 66.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
13. Support Newberry Springs economic development association (NSEDA) activities and efforts.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
14. Establish a Route 66 Village with arts and crafts, farmers market, car shows, etc.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Host more community events throughout the year.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Establish an incentive program to get people involved in the community.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Host quarterly meetings to bring community organizations together to discuss community issues and solutions.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Promote a social media campaign to broaden awareness of volunteer activities and events.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Establish a 4-H program and scouting programs (Scouts, Fire Explorer).
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Partner with faith based organizations and community organizations to coordinate outreach and involve the community.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Establish a grant writing team.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Coordinate with Caltrans and the County to pave roads with the next freeway cut.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Identify and increase the number of dedicated roads.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Construct improved Mojave River crossing at Harvard Road.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Construct grade separation for railroad crossing at Fort Cady.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
5. Coordinate improvements for broadband service.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
6. Preserve rural values in public infrastructure projects.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
7. Identify key roads for maintenance and grading.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
Action Statements
1. Establish a community code education program, with a focus on local blight.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
2. Partner with volunteer trash haulers to haul on a regular basis.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
3. Coordinate increased code enforcement efforts to address blight.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix
4. Host a community clean up/recycling event that unites schools, churches, and other service organizations.
  >>Download PDF Action Matrix

Download the Community Action Guide

Download the Community Action Guide in PDF format.

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