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

Nancy Zadrozny, Landscape and Open Space Manager • August 30, 2024

In addition to the daily work we do to maintain our landscape and open space, our landscape team continues to enhance areas.

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.

San Vicente Park

Ramona Oaks Road: Safety, Beauty, and Fire Prevention in Action

By Nancy Zadrozny, Landscape and Open Space Manager • August 14, 2025
The HOA is enhancing safety and fire prevention along Ramona Oaks Road by removing hazardous trees, improving visibility, and redesigning medians with drought-tolerant plantings and new Crepe Myrtle trees, with completion expected by summer 2026.

Tim Breidenstein: August’s Employee of the Month

By Tiffany Pressler • August 13, 2025
At the San Diego Country Estates Association, we are fortunate to have a team full of hardworking, dedicated individuals. This month, we are proud to spotlight someone who exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. Congratulations to our Employee of the Month for August, Tim Breidenstein, a team player both on and off the golf course.

Ramona Queen Returns to The Par

By Cheryl Schlauch • August 13, 2025
She wore the crown as a Ramona Queen more than two decades ago, but even after all these years, Anjeanette hasn’t forgotten where she came from or what it gave her. The lessons of Ramona stayed with her: resilience, grace under pressure, and the strength to rebuild when life took a different course.
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