Every day, thousands of motorists pass by the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, and only a fraction of them are likely to notice the subtle physical changes that take place on the 400 acres it has occupied for 80 years. But earlier this week, when the facility cleared three acres at the corner of Highway 62 and Yucca Mesa Road, a lot of people noticed. Assignment reporter Mike Lipsitz covers all sides of this story…
It would have been hard to pass the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, formerly Mentalphysics, and not notice a stark change over the past few days. It begins near the northeast corner of Highway 62 and Yucca Mesa Road and stretches back three acres. The area has been cleared of all small brush; what remains are the Joshua trees, yucca, and the power poles of course. Community outrage over the change played out online at Joshua Tree social media groups where the clearing was viewed as more ill-conceived, indiscriminate destruction of fragile desert. But Retreat Center executive director Victoria Jennings sees it a different way. “The facility had 36,000 visitors last year,” she said. “We have got to make sure we do not damage it with cars.” That corner and other areas of the property have long been used for impromptu parking. Jennings said it was necessary to restrict and organize parking and traffic flow on these few acres in order to protect the other 400. She described the action as “necessary” and “fair.”
Jennings also stated, and Z107.7 News has confirmed, that the work done at the corner was not significant enough to require a county permit.
JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER SAYS LAND CLEARING IS NECESSARY AND FAIR
