Landscape and Open Space: Hobbit House is Complete | Save the Date for San Vicente Park Grand Opening

Hobbit House is Complete

At the corner of San Vicente Road and Ramona Oaks Road, I viewed an old tree stump several months ago and reimagined it as a Hobbit House. Inspired by one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” series, these small dwelling units are homes to hobbits, fictional creatures characterized by their small stature and love of peace, quiet, and a simple, pastoral lifestyle.

A local carpenter, Mike Bernd, owner of Bernd Construction and Contracting, recently reopened his woodworking company named Bernd Custom Creations. He works on the creative side and loves to make various unique wooden products. Mike has been a carpenter since he was 19 years old. His love of building and woodworking started when he was about six years old, and his father and uncle worked on their house improvement. He attended Ramona High School and learned carpentry. 

He donated his time to build a circular door to capture the Hobbit home’s essence for this artistic element in our community, and he donated materials. When not working, he is a family man and father of three children who loves the Padres.

The project is now complete. This is a little landscape project, which may provide inspiration to people who have experienced it.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” – J.R.R. Tolkien in the “Fellowship of the Ring.”

San Vicente Park Grand Opening: Save the Date

I am happy to announce that I am working with several managers to plan a wonderful San Vicente Park Grand Opening for our Estates members on Saturday, Sept. 28. The event will include live music, complimentary barbequed food, and some cold, non-alcoholic drinks.

The grassy area just west of the tennis courts was transformed into a park-like design with native and drought-tolerant plants. Walking paths, benches, a dry creek bed, and a boulder bridge create an area of serenity in nature. I’ve been sharing the details of all the work on this turf reduction project, which is entirely funded by a county rebate and designed to reduce water use. 

Details about the “People-Park” opening will be shared next month. Stay tuned.

Photos by Nancy Zadrozny: Hobbit House and Mike Bernd in the header image above. San Vicente Park in the collage below.