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 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 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 Mountain Environment. Lake Arrowhead communities residents value the tranquil, small-town lifestyle and natural mountain beauty, including flora/fauna, wildlife, fresh air, clean water, and starry night skies, and proximity to the San Bernardino National Forest.
• High Quality of Life. Lake Arrowhead communities residents value a high quality of life, active lifestyle, and variety of recreation opportunities, while maintaining the slower pace and peacefulness the mountain communities offer.
• Outdoor Recreation. Lake Arrowhead communities residents value outdoor recreation activities, including Lake Arrowhead, nearby skiing, sledding, snow play, hiking trails, and off-highway vehicles.
• Community Involvement. Lake Arrowhead communities residents value their communities and are highly active and involved in community service organizations. Residents have a strong sense of community, are informed, and can depend on their neighbors.
• Positive Visitor Relationships. Lake Arrowhead communities residents value visitors to the community as an important part of the local economy. They enjoy positive relationships with tourists and take great pride in the unique tourist identity of the area.

The Lake Arrowhead communities consist of numerous mountaintop communities (Agua Fria, Blue Jay, Cedar Glen, Crest Park, Deer Lodge Park, Lake Arrowhead, Rim Forest, Sky Forest, and Twin Peaks) where residents enjoy a tranquil, small-town lifestyle and actively seek the protection and enhancement of the natural mountain environment. Although the slower pace is appreciated, outdoor recreation activities and an active lifestyle are also valued. Residents are actively involved in a variety of community service organizations, are well informed, and depend upon their neighbors. Residents and business owners take great pride in the unique tourist identity of the area, and enjoy positive relationships with tourists by understanding their importance to the local economy. Community members support the reuse of existing buildings, infill development, and revitalization to create a vibrant local economy and tourist industry that maintains the area’s economic well-being. Of primary focus is the attraction of families to the area by providing a vibrant local economy that encourages small local and home-based businesses, encouraging preservation of the natural environment, and providing park and recreational facilities and programs for all ages and abilities.

2019 Community Profile (opens in a new window)

Residents support protection of the area’s natural environment and mountain character through education and activities, such as community-organized cleanups. Education programs are implemented for residents and visitors to ensure awareness of the importance of the natural environment and understanding of the ways to ensure its protection. The communities also market the area as a unique tourist destination and attract businesses that capitalize on and protect the environment, such as ecotourism.

Residents and property owners work with each other and the San Bernardino County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments to improve safety within the communities. The need for additional services and equipment continues to be monitored, with services and equipment provided as appropriate. The communities also work with first responders in creating better mapping and directional street signs/markings to navigate the communities during times of emergency.

Residents create a vibrant local economy and tourist industry that maintains the area’s economic well-being by supporting the reuse of existing buildings, infill development, and revitalization. Growth of small local businesses and home-based businesses are supported and encouraged. Of primary focus is the attraction and retention of families to the area. Parks and recreational facilities and programs are offered for all ages and abilities. The communities work with local employers, community organizations, and schools to market the area to young families.

Opportunities to reduce vehicular traffic in the area are reviewed, including a local shuttle/trolley system during peak visitor periods, a regional transportation system, and walking/hiking/cycling paths that connect community nodes and the larger mountain areas. Efforts to implement these alternative means of transportation are under way. The communities also work with the County of San Bernardino and neighboring communities to develop alternative and improved access to and through the mountain communities.

1. Coordinate with the local schools and other organizations to educate youth on the importance of the environment and its protection.

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2. Identify incentives for landowners to maintain undeveloped property as open space.

3. Coordinate with Caltrans to identify opportunities to provide tunnels and wildlife corridors under or over roadways as well as incorporating requirements as part of the development review process.

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4. Organize community members to participate in the development review process through public hearing meetings and reviewing and commenting on public documents.

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5. Partner with environmental groups and associations to develop programs, activities, and educational materials that preserve and protect the natural environment.

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1. Identify recreation needs, including facilities and programs, by working with residents from all age groups and abilities.

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2. IN PROCESS: Identify opportunities for joint-use of facilities with the school district to serve recreation needs.

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3. Coordinate with the San Bernardino County Special Districts to identify improvements at MacKay Park, providing a wider range of age-appropriate facilities, including a senior exercise trail and ballfields.

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4. Identify opportunities for a variety of recreational activities and amenities such as walking, hiking, horseback riding, biking, off-highway vehicles (OHVs), tennis courts, ballfields, and open space areas.

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1. Establish partnership for joint use of existing public school infrastructure with universities and junior colleges to provide expanded educational opportunities for residents.

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2. Investigate the declining enrollment and quality of public schools in the mountain communities through community organizing and involvement.

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1. Encourage local ownership and investment of the Village.

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2. Coordinate with Caltrans to enhance and change signage on I-215 from “Highland” to “Mountain Resort Communities” or another alternative wording that capitalizes on the mountain areas.

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3. Establish mountain-wide regional collaborative relationships 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.

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4. Coordinate with the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency (EDA) and Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce to expand strategies to improve communications with businesses and develop a Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) program.

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5. Coordinate with the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency (EDA) and Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce to establish a marketing plan with incentives to attract new businesses to the area.

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6. Accommodate 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.

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7. Establish a business appreciation program, including events, webinars, and awards.

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8. Identify and develop entrepreneurial talent in coordination with existing programs at CSUSB through a coaching program and entrepreneur training program, known as “Economic Gardening”.

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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.

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10. Partner with the County Economic Development Agency to offer incentive programs for new businesses that move into existing commercial and industrial locations.

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11. Establish a marketing plan with incentives to encourage home-based businesses.

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1. Establish a marketing strategy to promote the natural environment and associated activities to encourage of ecotourism businesses.

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2. Investigate opportunities with the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce, San Bernardino County Special Districts, US Forest Service, and other agencies as appropriate to provide amenities to support visitors to the area such as parking, restrooms, seating areas, open space, and trails that connect key nodes/activity centers.

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3. Encourage obtaining local designation status (or higher) of historic resources.

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1. Provide dumpsters and signage that encourages proper disposal of trash in high-traffic visitor areas.

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2. Investigate opportunities to establish designated sledding areas with parking to avoid visitors establishing quasi-sledding and parking areas.

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3. Provide signage, maps, and other informational materials that identify trails and amenities.

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4. Provide programs and marketing materials that educate visitors on the natural environment and importance of its protection in order to foster responsible tourist behavior.

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5. Establish an education campaign specific for visitors of the Deep Creek area regarding the safe and environmentally-sensitive use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) and hiking and snow play activities.

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6. Provide centralized parking with shuttles and pedestrian paths that connect key commercial and recreational activity areas to reduce vehicle use and trips.

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7. Partner with the US Forest Service to provide information materials and services focused on hiking trails, fire cutting permits, camping, and associated activities.

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1. Establish a neighborhood watch program that can be implemented throughout the communities.

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2. Encourage community members to participate in the Citizens on Patrol Program coordinated through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

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3. Partner with the Sheriff’s Department, US Forest Service, San Bernardino County Fire, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

4. Advocate with the US Forest Service to increase staffing and enforcement of forest lands.

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5. Design and promote education materials to help residents understand what constitutes potential code violations and how to report illegal dumping activities.

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6. Advocate and coordinate with the County and emergency service providers to create better maps and directional street signs/markings to assist emergency drivers in navigating the communities.

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1. Coordinate with the County to identify needed roadway maintenance associated with tree roots.

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2. Identify opportunities to improve safety and maintenance of private roads.

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3. Investigate traffic safety at major intersections and turnouts/cutoffs.

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4. Advocate with the County and Caltrans to regularly maintain public roadways and drainage infrastructure.

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