Historic park volunteers honored

 

The city recognized their efforts at the annual volunteer appreciation event held April 26. Skip Moyer was singled out as Volunteer of the Year. View photos from the event.

 

“Whether it is leading tours for scouts, school groups, adults with special needs, tourists or any resident that stops by, Skip is always ready to jump in and provide a level of service and enthusiasm that adds to each visitor’s experience,” said Charles  Balteria, a recreation supervisor for the City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department.

 

Moyer contributed more than 250 volunteer hours in the past year and was cheered by the group for his dedication to the ranch. 

 

Eileen McNary, senior recreation leader, and Gerry Streff, the city’s Leo Carrillo Ranch archivist, also made the morning special by sharing memories with the volunteers and developing a photo collage recounting volunteer work that has helped shape the ranch over the past 10 years since the city opened the property to the public as part of its parks system. 

 

At the morning breakfast reception, Mick Calarco, recreation services manager, described how the volunteers come from different backgrounds and provide a variety of services, but are united in the passion they share for the unique property and its history. The volunteer activities range from leading tours, staffing the visitor center, and sharing knowledge of the ranch history, to working on the property doing barn clean-up and other hands-on improvements. 

 

Volunteers often help prepare the ranch for special events like school visits, group tours and special events, but on the sunny Friday morning, three tables were already set up on the ranch terrace when the volunteers arrived. Volunteer Bettylou Finver said, “Look at this beautiful setup.  Usually we see the terrace decorated for weddings and parties, but today the celebration is for us!” 

 

Calarco announced that Leo Carrillo was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City earlier in April, sharing the beautiful statue awarded in Leo Carrillo’s honor that will now be displayed at the museum on the property. 

 

Leo Carrillo Ranch is a registered California Historical Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The year 2013 marks the City of Carlsbad’s 10 year anniversary of operating the ranch as part of the city parks system. City employees working in partnership with thousands of volunteers throughout the years have restored and operated this special property.

 

Rancho de los Quiotes was established in the late 1930s by Leo Carrillo, best known for his Hollywood role as “Pancho” in The Cisco Kid. Some of the visitors back in the day included Clark Gable, along with other legends shown in exhibit photos throughout the ranch detailing the history of the property and its owner. In addition to his acting career, Carrillo was a preservationist and conservationist, serving on the California Beach and Parks commission for 18 years and playing a key role in the state's acquisition of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the Los Angeles Arboretum, and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

 

Entrance to the ranch is free. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours are available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays and noon and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Guests can enjoy an introductory video at the barn on the ranch and a variety of plants, birds and wildlife throughout the property. 

 

For more information about volunteering or visiting Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, visit www.carlsbadca.gov/parksandrec.

 

Mick Calarco, 760-434-2859, or mick.calarco@carlsbadca.gov

 

Kristina Ray, 760-434-2957, kristina.ray@carlsbadca.gov