Community

Entrada Ranch will offer the following amenities for its residents: a community center, a community garden, a recreational and exercise facility, connection to local trails, bike paths, a variety of different open spaces and a daycare center.
 
Community Center:
The community center, made predominantly out of recycled storage containers, provides approximately 5,000 square feet of amenities as well as recreational and educational opportunities on-site. Space for recreation and entertainment, events, kitchen space and educational spaces for promoting and teaching about healthy living is offered. PHC has collaborated with Cal Poly’s College of Science and Mathematics Liberal Studies Department to provide after-school tutoring in the educational center for all of the children living in Entrada Ranch. This will also provide additional safety and educational support for the children because the parents of many of these children may be working late into the evening and will be unable to mentor and monitor their children between the 3 and 5pm. This after-school program would provide highly-qualified college students who are studying to become certified Elementary School Teachers for the State of California.
 
Natural Amenities and Open Spaces:
A portion of the land owned by Madonna Enterprises will be donated to the SLO County Land Conservancy for future protection.  This non-profit will partner with PHC to assure preservation of the natural habitat. The Land Conservancy will also provide guidance for wetlands preservation, educational and recreational purposes. The location of the wetlands help serve as a buffer to the busy Los Osos Valley Road.
 
One project goal is to provide access to existing trails that surround the site, encouraging healthy living and interaction among residents with the natural environment.  The Central Coast is replete with scenic views enhanced by California’s native vegetation that inspire and educate users. Links to nearby trails such as the Eagle Rock and Oak Woodlands Loop, the Laguna Lake Trail and the Bob Jones Bike Trail are designed in the upper portions of the site.
 
The Community Garden will be located in the Southwest side of the site and will utilize organic agriculture and composting practices while providing residents with a local food source. It will also create another gathering place for residents for relaxing gardening and educational purposes.
 
The woonerf design, meaning “residential yard”, was developed and is widely applied in the Netherlands. The idea is that the street is shared among the pedestrians and motorists. This shared space between people and cars provides passive traffic calming strategies and result in slower vehicular speeds which in turn makes for a safer pedestrian environment. There are no edges or curbs along the road, which enhance walkability for the pedestrian. Cars are provided designated parking spaces on the sides of the street.
 
Healthy Living:
The Entrada Ranch development encourages healthy living on-site through site design, site amenities and programs for the community. In partnership with the Land Conservancy, Entrada Ranch will provide programs to community members to explore natural onsite and adjacent amenities. The community center on site will offer courses for healthy body and mind and will also provide a small gym. Ample walkable streets throughout the site, connectivity to nature trails and the inclusion of bicycle racks to encourage bicycling as both an alternative mode of transportation and exercise will also be implemented to provide numerous opportunities for healthy living.
 
Within the Community Center will be two health offices that will offer vaccines, basic health services, advice, and education, and emergency/grief counseling. These services will be offered by the County Department of Health. The clinic will also teach about healthy lifestyle choices that are offered within Entrada Ranch.
 
Community Support:
An 1,800 square foot daycare facility will be located adjacent to the Community Center in the central core of the development. The daycare will serve infants to preschool aged children at an affordable cost to residents and parents that work at nearby businesses. The location provides convenience and peace of mind to parents.
 
Because the target population is working families, it is common for both parents to work and, therefore, often lack the time and/or ability to assist their child with schoolwork. After-school tutoring will be offered in the community center’s classroom for kindergarten through 12th grade residents. The program will be run by volunteers and Cal Poly college students as an internship program and will provide the students with volunteer hours to promote Cal Poly’s “learn by doing” philosophy. Not only will the program provide educational support, academic achievement and confidence, it will be a safe and fun atmosphere to keep youth motivated while also giving them a safe place to be after school if both parents are working.
 
A cause of stress to many parents is what their children will do when school is out for the summer. A day-camp program will run Monday-Friday during the summer months. There will be an emphasis on healthy and fun lifestyles: children will play games, go on hikes in surrounding hills, tend community gardens, have educational field trips, and give back to the San Luis Obispo Community through volunteer work. The Land Conservancy will help run these programs to help children connect with the natural environment by integrating their existing educational and volunteer programs into the summer program.