Last Modified: June 05, 2009

Atascadero Land Preservation Society (ALPS) was founded in 1989 by local residents concerned with maintaining Atascadero’s natural beauty.  The organization was instrumental in helping the City of Atascadero obtain Stadium Park, a magnificent 30-acre natural amphitheater that is open to the public.  Initially used as an entertainment and meeting venue, then for many years as an informal dump by many residents, Stadium Park has been cleaned up and now boasts a trail system that allows for hiking, photography, wildlife sightings, and quiet relaxation in a beautiful native blue oak woodland setting close to the heart of the city.  In the summer of 2002, Stadium Park was the setting for our first (and only) annual Chautauqua, a day of fun and entertainment reminiscent of the early days of Atascadero Colony.  The Chautauqua gave way in 2003 to the Pine Mountain Festival, an annual event that takes advantage of the outstanding acoustic qualities of the park by bringing nationally prominent musicians to Atascadero and that benefits ALPS. 

The shaded lane that serves as the entrance to Stadium Park and the northeast hillside beside it were slated for residential development until ALPS raised $150,000 in 2003 to purchase and preserve the land.

ALPS has also acquired ownership of significant portions of environmentally sensitive Atascadero Creek.  We will be working in 2006 and 2007 with the City of Atascadero and the Army Corps of Engineers to provide erosion control and habitat enhancement in the creek.  Plans are also in the works to team up with the Upper Salinas Resource Conservation District to provide some creek side trails and picnic areas.