The Walnut Creek Parks Recreation Opens Space Commission (PROS) met on 8/14/23. The main agenda item was an update on the Lime Ridge flow trail and actions from the December 2020 Trails Subcommittee Report. Public Works Manager Mike Vickers and Ranger Corey Frazier gave updates on the flow trail project, Trails Committee recommendation progress, and other trail open space activity.
Mike Vickers presented on the flow trail progress with the main milestone being completion of the CEQA Initial checklist evaluation completion and determination to file a mitigated negative declaration which would allow the project to move forward without performing a full environmental impact report (EIR). This is supported by the lack of impact identified in the checklist and supported by field stewardship surveys. Staff published the mitigated negative declaration beginning the 30-day public comment period which ended September 30th. Comments will then be addressed and then forwarded to the City Engineer for certification following the 30-day public comment period barring any issues being raised that require further work. Mike Vickers and Public Works Director Heather Ballenger have authority to move forward on flow trail construction once the CEQA determination is certified. This does not require approval by the PROS commission, City Council, or Mayor.
Public Works Manager Mike Vickers vigorously addressed a number of the Rancho Pariso / Timberleaf Court resident points of concern including crime and security, environmental evaluation and stewardship surveys, parking, and Timberleaf court emergency access. Staff have addressed these concerns in each of the public meetings. He also covered a detailed history of the change in use to the Timberleaf trail to multiuse years ago and issues with that signage.
Ranger Corey Frazier reported on a variety of trail/road maintenance and repair, trail closure restoration progress, other open space improvements, and volunteer trail work. Staff have accomplished a significant amount of work in during the past year. Mike Vickers also updated on the 2022 Trails Sub Committee recommendations and which ones had been acted on and those that had not. Item H – Evaluate all OS singletrack to make recommendations on changes to trail designations, J – Evaluate the trails proposed – set trail use designations, names, K – Partner with orgs such as BTCEB to promote trail safety and get bike community behind closure and restoration, O – Develop and implement Volunteer Patrol Program, and P – Give OS Rangers training and ability to issue citations at their discretion had not been acted on yet. A volunteer patrol was discussed briefly and singletrack trail recommendations were not discussed.
There were about 40 live public comments made with more in person than remote. Pro/con were roughly evenly split. Written comments posted up to the meeting time were about 76 for and 51 against. There were youth written comments. Some of the opposing attendees in attendance were interrupting supporting speakers and were directed several times by Chair Fran Garland to stop. Chair Garland took a 10 minute recess at one point to get control of the behavior by some of the opposing attendees. Thanks to all that made public comment supporting increased access.
Staff addressed objections raised to the project as they have been throughout the process in multiple meetings. They have conducted a very public process and continue to move forward in bringing legitimate mountain bike access and a new trail to Lime Ridge. For additional coverage see the Mountain Bikers of Mt. Diablo site.
