Santee Secrets: Marine Memorial Trail

The 55-acre Town Center Community Park (Riverwalk Dr. & Cuyamaca St.) is Santee’s flagship park and is certainly no secret to many residents and visitors.

But there is something special about the oval-shaped concrete walkway that circumnavigates the park. This pathway, which is just over a half-mile long (.53 of a mile to be exact), is actually the city’s Marine Memorial Trail.

If you look behind the outdoor performance stage, you’ll find a brass plaque that honors two local U.S. Marine units, the Camp Pendleton-based 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and the Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

I had the honor of dedicating the trail to these outstanding Marine units at an August 2011 ceremony marking the completion of Phase II of the park.

Santee has had a special connection with the Marine units since adopting them in 2004 as part of the Americans Supporting Americans program.

Since the city took these Marine units under our collective wing, 29 have been killed in the line of duty and 211 have been wounded. So the next time you walk along this pathway, please consider throwing a salute or saying a prayer for these fallen warriors who have sacrificed so much so that we can live in a free nation.

Whether you are looking for a spot to take in Santee’s beautiful scenery along the San Diego River or a good excuse to get some exercise, the Marine Memorial Trail in Town Center Community Park is a hidden gem that everyone can enjoy. 

Terry Rodgers contributed to this post