by Scott Bartlebaugh
The Walnut Creek Parks Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Commission voted 5-0 to accept recommendations 1-5 of the Trail Committee report. Recommendation 6 on enforcement was withheld for further development and was targeted to be ready for PROS discussion in February. Huge kudos to BTCEB members Barry Mendelson and Caedmon Bear for their multi-year work on this effort.
The following recommendations were adopted:
- Prioritize and close unauthorized social trails/areas and start restoration practices.
- Actively monitor and inform public through contact and signage
- Evaluate all Open Space single track trails using the Walnut Creek Trail Evaluation Criteria Checklist and make recommendations on any changes to trail designations
- Explore possibility of new multi-use flow trails in Lime Ridge to redistribute use away from areas where current rate of use is unsustainable
- Continue and encourage community engagement through volunteer events and activities
- Facilitate formation of Trail Advocacy Group/Volunteer Patrol
While this will result in the closure of some unauthorized social trails that are unsustainable or in sensitive habitat it provides a means to evaluate social trails and adopt sections that are sustainable and suitable and includes support to move forward on a flow trail in the southern section of Lime Ridge. Approximately 50 public comments were received either by email or during the meeting and the majority were in support of more bike access. Thanks to all that submitted public comments.
