North Desert Communities
Community Action Guide
In 2016, the County embarked on a planning process to update the fourteen existing Community Plans and create over 30 new plans for approximately 80 unincorporated communities. The strategic system of community planning is called the Community Planning Continuum with a continuum of plan-types to provide planning tools and resources to match local conditions and needs. The plan-types are Detailed, Framework, Foundation and Fundamental. The North Desert Communities are a Fundamental community.
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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 North Desert Communities are located in the northwest section of the County. They include Red Mountain, Kramer Junction, Hinkley, Barstow Heights, Lenwood and Hodge. Many of the communities were populated due to local mines and the railroad.
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An online survey was available for five months in early 2018. The survey requested information about communities including Values, Aspirations, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, local organizations and local history (see the Community Identified Issues section). 21 surveys were completed by residents of Hinkley, Barstow Heights, and Lenwood. The survey information was used to create the Community Action Plan. The Community Action Guides are a framework of actions identified by the community and supports implementation of the actions by the community. Online survey responses were received from. The information in this Community Action Guide is from general research and the responses.
As part of the survey, participants defined the strengths of and opportunities for their community using a SWOT Analysis (Strenghts Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). The word cloud was created using the input on the Strengths, Opportunities, Values and Aspirations questions. The word cloud quickly identifies key issues and focus areas for the communities. The more a word or phrase was articulated, the larger the word appears in the cloud.
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The Values are those shared assets, principles, standards, mores, and in the judgement of the communities, 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:
- Strong Community Ties: North Desert Communities value their small population and the comfort in knowing their neighbors, which leads to the feeling of a close knit community.
- Deep historical roots: North Desert Communities value their history that has led them to the towns that they are today.
- Quiet Rural Atmosphere: North Desert Communities value the quiet, open desert landscape and dark night skies.
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The community profile is a summary of the social, cultural, economic, and historic dimensions of the North Desert Communities. It presents data collected through secondary sources to inform future actions. The profile, with information gathered from general sources, highlights essential facets and “tells the story” of the North Desert Communities of Red Mountain, Kramer Junction, Hinkley, Hodges, Lenwood and Barstow Heights.
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.
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As a community, North Desert Communities enjoy safe neighborhoods. A neighborhood watch program is successful in decreasing the vandalism and helps residents feel safe. Regular community clean-up events occur biannually to clean up litter from illegal dumping. Homes are occupied, sidewalks are available and roads are maintained.
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North Desert Communities residents have more job opportunities which allow for more residents to enter the work force. A community park offers more recreation opportunities for residents.
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.
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Action Statements -
Advocate to the County to increase sheriff patrols in the area.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Collaborate with County Code Enforcement to educate citizens about county codes.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Organize community clean up days twice a year.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Coordinate with County Public Works and Caltrans to maintain public roads.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Increase community and county communication.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Improve public transportation options for the area.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix -
Establish a Neighborhood Watch Program.
>>Download PDF Action Matrix
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Download the Community Action Guide
Download the Community Action Guide in PDF format.