Save the Zanja Project

The Zanja Past – An historic irrigation ditch to bring water and life to the inland valley.

It’s just a ditch.  To long-time Redlanders, it’s the “Sankey.”  To relative new-comers, those living here for 20 years or less, it’s the “Zanja,” the Indian word for ditch.  This twelve-mile long irrigation ditch has inspired passion and fueled disputes over its almost 200-year history, and today, it is the focus of a devoted committee who seeks to preserve it as a symbol of human ingenuity and a simpler, quieter life in Redlands. 

Dug in the summer of 1819 by Serrano Indians to bring water to their land in present-day Loma Linda, the Mill Creek Zanja channeled water from nearby Mill Creek through a clever system of hand-made ditches and areas of natural flows.  The liquid gold served the San Gabriel Mission Outpost near the Indian villages, and all land parcels in between, thus setting the stage for Redlands to become the region’s agricultural star.

The Zanja Present – Still exists, unprotected
and threatened.

Almost 200 years later, the Zanja still exists.  From the east side of Greenspot through the Crafton groves, past the University of Redlands and Sylvan Park into the downtown, moving through private and public property, the Zanja remains in various states of repair and disrepair. 

The Zanja Future – The centerpiece of an amazing public park.  

The Redlands Conservancy seeks to create a plan to preserve the Zanja in perpetuity by providing it with City of Redlands Historic Resource designation, by creating a linear park along the Zanja from Ninth Street in downtown Redlands east to Garnet in Mentone, and by building a multi-use trail along the Zanja.  The trail will be marked by pocket parks for passive recreation and wildlife appreciation, and by 30 historic markers currently being researched and designed by the Redlands Junior Historical Society under a Save Our History Grant from the History Channel. 

Once created, the Historic Zanja Park and Trail will connect Redlands’ residents and visitors with the future Orange Blossom Trail, the Crafton Hills Trails, and the Santa Ana River Trail.  It will provide a tantalizing experience for walkers and bicyclists through the very essence of Redlands’ heritage: the magnificent citrus groves, the University of Redlands, and the tree-lined streets that meander through the fine historic homes of northeast Redlands. 

The Zanja needs you!

The Redlands Conservancy invites you to join the work to Save the Zanja. 
Call (909) 792-1800 for more information. 

Grants:

The Save the Zanja Project receives major grant from the Save Our History Program of the History Channel.  Details coming soon.

Maps:

Maps in PDF will be added soon.