Emergency Trail Work Never Ceases
By John Roberts
The most basic need at Joaquin Miller Park (JMP) is to quickly clear dead fallen trees blocking trails. Such trail obstructions can tempt users to socialize bypass trails, or to climb over the logs, which can be risky for vulnerable park users. Oakland Bike Patrol (OBP) tackles some of these projects directly. OBP Lead Patroller Mike Kowalewski rides with a first aid kit, maps, tools, and a foldable hand saw for instant response to moderate-sized trail blockages like the one shown above at the JMP Meadow.
For larger trail blockages, the OBP acts as eyes and ears in the park, reporting quickly to the BTCEB trail care crew who can then plan a response using small key groups of volunteers to attack larger trail issues.
Foremost among trail maintenance volunteers is local legend Henry Mitchell, the retired former Trails Coordinator of BTCEB. He is pictured below after he recently limbed a tree and re-opened the Harold Ireland trail.
Henry also helped buck a large tree near the Sequoia Horse Arena. This effectively re-opened access on a road that is a key return route for emergency vehicles. All these trees were reported by the OBP.
