The Trail Companion

     The California Coastal Conservancy has granted the City of Palo Alto funds to develop a trails master plan and environmental impact analysis for Arastradero Preserve. The plan, which will be prepared by an outside contractor, is expected to be completed by summer and will identify trails that are incorrectly sloped or improperly located. One of the primary goals will be to plan for an all-weather "backbone" trail for the preserve and will likely specify improvements to many of the other trails, such as the Acorn Trail. The city has also applied for $35,000 from the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation to implement the plan, including, including better access for hikers, cyclists, equestrians and physically challenged park visitors.

     The City has approved a new gateway facility to be constructed near the parking lot. Bay Area Action will build the facility using mostly lumber salvaged from former caretaker's house and barn. The new building will serve as a visitors' center and BAA will also use the building to hold programs and store tools for the Arastradero Preserve Stewardship Project.

     Representatives from the Trail Center will participate in a multi-agency committee to formulate the trails master plan for Castle Rock State Park. The General Plan, which has not yet been completed, calls for a separate trail plan to guide the park in developing its trail network. Two of the important issues will be bicycle use in the park and opening additional trails in the large southwestern portion of the park below the main ridge.

     The California State Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of the Castle Rock State Park General Plan and proposed Natural Preserve Subclassification on March 8 at 9:30am at the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium at 70 W. Hedding St. in San Jose. Copies of the preliminary general plan are available at several libraries and the State Park District Office.

     The SF Public Utilities Commission has released a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) concerning their proposed Peninsula Watershed Management Plan. The EIR addresses the proposed Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail project, which forms a critical link in the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The proposed trail would follow the existing Fifield-Cahill Road and Old Canada Road through the 23,000 acre Peninsula Watershed. Copies of the draft EIR are available from the SF Planning Dept., 1660 Mission St., 1st floor Planning Information Counter, or by phone request at 650-872-5934. Copies are also available from the SF Main Library (Civic Center), and libraries in Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Menlo Park, Milbrae, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, San Jose, and Woodside.
     At public hearings on the EIR, held on Feb. 1, 2000, at the College of San Mateo, and on Feb. 3 in San Francisco, public support for trail access was high; only the Audubon Society advocated keeping trails out of the watershed lands. For further information concerning the environmental review of the Peninsula Watershed Management Plan, contact Alice Glasner of the S.F. Planning Dept. at 415-558-6424. For further information concerning the Plan and process, contact Joanne Wilson of the SF Public Utilities Commission at 650-871-3033.

     The proposed expansion of Pinnacles National Monument has been approved, and the park is now 8,000 acres larger.

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