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.

The East Bay Regional Park District Briones Pilot has issued a new feedback survey.   Please take a few moments to provide feedback.   This is part of their data collection that will feed into their upcoming 6 month update.  It’s important as stakeholders to participate and share your thoughts.

The September 9th Community Dig Day was focused on restoration of Lower Cookies.   This was the second consecutive dig day with a natural resources restoration scope.  The Stewards of Briones are planning their first sanctioned dig day in partnership with EBRPD staff and focusing on Radio Tower.  The aim is to get some water supply support to accomplish some effective tread work despite still being in the dry season.  

The East Bay Regional Park District Board voted 5-0 to approve class 1 e-bike access to natural surface roads and trails (less than 8 foot wide) wherever bikes are permitted at their September 5th board meeting. Class 2 e-bike access to paved regional trails was also approved. Staff were directed to collect relevant data including bike volume and safety issues and provide a report one year from now.   This was done as a change to Ordinance 38 and not a pilot or trial.   Ahead of the meeting 154 public comments had been received with 33 supporting, 54 opposing, and 67 calling for a delay in making this change. Approximately 12 live public comments were made with a similar distribution in position.   The staff report and presentation was thorough and strongly supported the change.   It was noted that the MidPen study supported this decision despite MidPen taking a more limited access approach on their policy decision.   Director Coffey once again strongly supported this change on the merit of benefits of e-bike use to a variety of demographic users and the practicality of the district’s significant experience with e-bikes on natural surface trails already.

Discussion of the e-bike changes starts around 1:25:50 and runs to about 4:10