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Balancing Trail Access and Safety in East Bay Parks

2/25/2021

One of the greatest joys of living in the East Bay is hiking the trails in the many parks of the East Bay Regional Park District. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how vital and important the park system is for people’s physical and mental health. In addition to hikers, mobility-challenged users in wheelchairs, joggers, dog-walkers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and electric-bike riders also enjoy the trails. As stakeholders of this public park system, we have to think about how we can ensure access for all park users while protecting public safety, wildlife, and sensitive habitats.

The Park District has both narrow trails, generally under 8 feet in width, and wider trails, which are usually old ranch roads or fire roads. In the early 1980’s, the Park District opened up the wider trails to mountain bikes. This gave mountain bikers access to 80% of all trails. In addition, in the early 2000’s, the Park District created a pump trail system within the Crockett Hills Regional Park specifically for mountain bikers (while nominally being posted and available for hiking and equestrian use, too). Meanwhile, through the Park District’s Ordinance 38 process, 30 narrow trails have been opened up for mountain bikers.

According to the Park District’s own survey data, 82 to 88% of trail users are pedestrians or hikers, 10 to 12% are mountain bikers, and 5% are equestrians. "The survey data also showed that 80 to 90% of trail users favored trails dedicated to pedestrian and equestrian users."

Currently, the East Bay Regional Park District is engaged in a process for evaluating how to manage user access on their narrow trails. This process takes place in the context of the mountain biking community’s call for the opening up of more narrow trails to mountain bikes, and the Park District’s recent announcement that all new narrow trails will be designed and constructed for all users. The Park District has also proposed allowing mountain bikes on existing narrow trails that are primarily used by the large population of pedestrians, as well as equestrians. That proposal would result in a significant change to the trail experience of the District's 25 million annual park users.

The “narrow multi-use trails for all” concept raises significant issues. Ample evidence from past experience, both from within the Park District and from other park agencies, illustrates that narrow trails designed primarily for bicycles result in hikers and equestrians avoiding those trails. Likewise, a group of people walking or riding on a narrow trail is often a frustrating experience for a mountain biker who has built up speed going downhill.

The diagram to the right shows just how tight the situation can become on a narrow trail.
Beginning in 2017, the Sierra Club asked the Park District to create a facilitated workshop of various user groups to see if a consensus could be reached on these issues. Finally, in 2020 the Park Board created the Trails Users Working Group (TUWG).

To examine this issue, we ask that the Trail Users Working Group provide or address:

Baseline data on the District’s trail user populations by different interests, trail access by trail miles, trail accident data, trail complaint data, enforcement responses, mapped locations of unopened park properties, and baseline analysis of wildlife and habitat in and adjacent to a proposed route for any narrow trail no matter what users will ultimately be allowed;

District capacity in place to manage expansion of certain trail uses, including controlling and restoring informal/rogue trails, trail repairs, trail accidents, and enforcement demands within the existing park management demands on operations staff;

For the “multi-use narrow trails for all” proposal, including the observable impacts of combining all users on narrow trails. What impacts are there on a trail user’s desire for a contemplative experience (communing with nature rather than worrying about whether a mountain bike is barreling down the trail), birdwatching, observations of other wildlife and plant life;

E-bike growth: Develop scenarios for managing impacts from the growing presence of e-bikes on park trails where they are not permitted (e-bikes are allowed only on select park trails).

Trail policy alternatives that will result in constructive solutions that protect the parks' biodiversity and preserve enjoyable and positive experiences for all trail users.

The "narrow trails for all" proposal that is being floated for all narrow-width trails constructed in the future has yet to be fully evaluated in a public forum. The thirty-one members of the TUWG can help craft solutions.

You can read the Sierra Club white paper on trail issues here.

Members can also let the Park District Board and staff know of their concerns and can copy the Sierra Club’s East Bay Public Lands Committee with their concerns. You can send a letter to their mailing address below, or use their online contact form.

East Bay Regional Parks District
2950 Peralta Oaks Court
P.O. Box 5381
Oakland, CA 94605-0381

If you want to learn more about the work of the East Bay Public Lands Committee, contact committee chair Norman La Force at n.laforce@comcast.net.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ORIGINAL ARTICLE IN THE SIERRA CLUB NEWSLETTER.

Rusty, the California State Parks Mounted Patrol horse, wrote a book!

2/17/2021

Eric Luhrs is a retired mounted police officer from California. He was assigned to the mounted unit from 1987 to 2009 and is a state certified mounted police instructor. Rusty and Eric worked as a team during routine patrol, crowd control, parade events, and school presentations in Sacramento, California. His horse, Rusty, has written a book and has a Facebook page, "A Day in the Life of Rusty the Police Horse." CLICK HERE TO VISIT AND LIKE RUSTY'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

"HIs book is an illustrated children's story that shares a typical day in the life of a police horse and offers valuable lessons for young readers.
Rusty is a police horse, and he is very proud to be one. He is eager and ready to perform his duties and knows that he does his best every day.
Rusty begins his day with a good breakfast. After that, the real fun begins. He likes to train, which helps him be brave, and to keep clean. He goes out on patrol, where he loves to greet people - especially children! On special days he marches in parades, which is very exciting. Although sometimes the sights and sounds of the city may scare Rusty, he knows he must face his fears with courage and confidence. His job is very important! What's more, he has important advice to help everyone do their best everyday."

CLICK HERE to visit Rusty's webpage!
To order a copy, email Eric here: luhrseric@yahoo.com

Mary West: Exploring the El Dorado Trail around Placerville

2/13/2021

The El Dorado Trail system is 35-miles of hiking, equestrian and biking trail in and around Placerville, but much of it is paved and not your typical wild land hike.
The trail has grown over the years, with new additions now stretching from Camino to the El Dorado and Sacramento County line. Much of it is paved. Several access points or trailheads mean you can experience different parts of the trail depending on your schedule.
I have accessed the trail from three different trailheads. The first was my favorite.
I call this WUI hiking. WUI stands for Wildland Urban Interface. This isn’t exactly urban hiking but it isn’t the wild and rugged trails we know and love in the wilderness. This is a paved 3.1 mile walk just outside of town off Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. It took me some time to find the trailhead. Let me save you the trouble. Go to Sierra Door and Supply. Drive right to the business as if you were a customer. At the end of the parking lot look for another parking lot with what looks like a split rail fence. You will see the signs for the trailhead. Park in this lot. The pedestrian/bike path with two lanes takes you past some ranch land and past homes before you get to, what I think is the highpoint of this trail; a repurposed train trestle with a bridge over Weber Creek.
The wooden bridge is screened with metal fencing. The fence is adorned with a number of locks. The locks express the romantic gesture of couples showing their bond to one another. In many cases the key to the lock that symbolizes the happy couple’s commitment is thrown over the edge into the river below.
This is a family friendly and dog friendly trail. My sons enjoyed the exercise stations along the trail, including pull up bars and sit up benches. The trail ends at 3.1 miles at the back of the Sheriff’s station making for a 6.2 mile out and back walk, jog or ride.
If you head the other way, behind Walmart, you are exposed to the various homeless camps in and around the industrial area.
Several roads lead to Placerville. You can take Highway 49 to Highway 50. Turn right and head down the hill to Missouri Flat Road. Take a left back over the freeway and out Missouri Flat Road to Sierra Door and Supply. Do not park in the business parking lot. Park at the trailhead. If there is no parking available go across the street to Walmart.
Another access point is off Mosquito Road across the street from the bus station. It runs along the back of homes and features a tunnel.
The third portion I have hiked begins off Carson Road, off Jacquire on Amelia Lane. This portion leads to a bridge over highway 50. It’s loud along the highway.
Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.

CLICK HERE to see the original article and more photos in The Union newspaper.

Interior Announces Plans to Strengthen Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

2/12/2021

WASHINGTON — The Interior Department today took steps to strengthen the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) by rescinding Trump administration policies that significantly undermined the landmark conservation program.
Secretarial Order 3396 revokes an order signed on November 9, 2020 that unilaterally imposed new restrictions to inhibit the availability of LWCF funding for federal land and water acquisitions.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been crucial to protecting public lands, conserving wildlife habitats, and improving access to outdoor recreation. Interior’s actions today affirm our support for one of America’s most successful and popular conservation programs,” said Shannon A. Estenoz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary - Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “We look forward to further strengthening this successful program to ensure that all communities – from hikers and sportsmen to urban and underserved communities – have access to nature and the great outdoors.”

In addition to rescinding the November 2020 Bernhardt policy, Secretarial Order 3396 instructs the National Park Service to revise the Land and Water Conservation Fund Assistance Manual to remove the restrictive policies implemented in the previous order, and to reinstate pre-existing implementation of the LWCF state assistance program and Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. The ORLP program is the only LWCF competitive grant program dedicated to addressing the recreational gap in underserved urban areas.

Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF has funded $4 billion worth of projects in every county in the country. Last year, Congress permanently funded the LWCF at $900 million per year with wide bipartisan support. At no cost to taxpayers, the LWCF supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas – and provides matching grants to state and tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public parks and other outdoor recreation sites.

The new, larger CCC in the works under Biden administration

2/10/2021

Biden's new conservation corps stirs hopes of nature-focused hiring spreeAfter Biden’s omnibus executive order, the heads of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture and other departments have 90 days to present their plan to “mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers”, a step toward fulfilling Biden’s promise to get the US on track to conserve 30% of lands and oceans by 2030. Projects will include working to mitigate wildfire risks, protect watershed health, and improve outdoor recreation access.
Photo Credit: a group of teenage boys roll a log across a clearing at the CCC camp in Redwood State Park.
Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

Nearly a century ago, the US faced unemployment at 25% and environmental woes such as flooding along major rivers and extensive deforestation. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided to tackle these emergencies simultaneously by creating the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of his New Deal.

Through its nine-year existence, Roosevelt’s “Tree Army” put an impressive 3 million jobless Americans to work. All in all, CCC enrollees planted more than 3bn trees, paved 125,000 miles of roadways, erected 3,000 fire lookouts, and spent 6m workdays fighting forest fires.

The artifacts from this ambitious effort – such as trails and structures dotting the Grand Canyon national park or the Pacific Coast Trail – are beloved today.
“In creating the Civilian Conservation Corps, we are killing two birds with one stone,” Roosevelt explained in one of his early fireside chats. “We are conserving not only our natural resources but also our human resources.”
Now, as the ongoing pandemic has wrought the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s public jobs programs are back in the spotlight. As part his recent climate policy spree, Biden announced the establishment of a “Civilian Climate Corps Initiative” that could harness the energy of the very generation that must face – and solve – the climate crisis by putting them to work in well-paying conservation jobs.
After Biden’s omnibus executive order, the heads of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture and other departments have 90 days to present their plan to “mobilize the next generation of conservation and resilience workers”, a step toward fulfilling Biden’s promise to get the US on track to conserve 30% of lands and oceans by 2030.

“We’re really excited that the Biden administration is taking this on,” said Mary Ellen Sprenkel, head of the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, a loose association of about 135 corps organizations across the country that already provides young adults and veterans with work on public lands and in rural and urban communities. “Some of our programs have quite a bit of experience in doing this, and hopefully we’ll be called upon to help develop and implement the initiative.”

Far beyond just planting trees, a new conservation corps could pour money into tackling a bevy of other environmental problems, too. According to Biden’s website, projects will include working to mitigate wildfire risks, protect watershed health, and improve outdoor recreation access. Sprenkel thinks the effort could also include more activities at the community level, like urban agriculture projects and work retrofitting buildings to be more energy-efficient. And as Sprenkel pointed out, the federal government owns and manages thousands of buildings that need help to become more energy-efficient. The buildings “could even become sources of renewable energy generation with solar or wind power installations”, she added.

“We could potentially be talking about millions of participants, at least hundreds of thousands to begin,” said the National Wildlife Federation president and CEO, Collin O’Mara. “When we’re thinking about restoring natural systems and helping communities become more resilient, there’s almost infinite amounts of work to be done. Really, the only constraint is going to be the amount of appropriation by the Congress.”

Sprenkel and O’Mara hope a revamped conservation corps could also provide opportunities like apprenticeships and on-the-job education to build career pipelines for long-term employment, especially for communities that have traditionally been left out of the conservation space.
“The transition to a renewable energy economy at the scale needed to keep warming controlled is going to require an unprecedented investment in workforce training,” Sprenkel says. “A Civilian Climate Corps can be that program that engages workers in hands-on learning, so they are prepared to enter solar, wind, habitat resiliency, disaster response and other essential industries such investment in those industries come to fruition.”

The original Civilian Conservation Corps had its flaws, and its legacy is marred by racism and sexism. Only young men were allowed to enlist, and though camps were originally integrated when they began in 1933, by 1935, they were fully segregated. According to O’Mara, equitable access must be addressed from the outset in this new iteration of the corps in order to recruit, retain and support young people of color in the overwhelmingly white field of conservation.

“There’s always this fear that these types of national service programs become gap years for upper-middle-class, suburban white kids,” he says. To combat that, O’Mara said, “we have to require that the representation of the corps reflects the full diversity of the country” by ensuring “the authorizing legislation and the agencies make that a top, non-negotiable priority”.

O’Mara, himself a former AmeriCorps volunteer, added that “this could be a truly transformative program. If we see massive investments in both rural and urban lands, [it’ll really] make a dent in the challenges that we’re trying to address.”

CLICK HERE to see original article and photos in The Guardian newspaper

Conservation Corps volunteers plant hundreds of young trees in a Mississippi floodplain on national refuge land in south-east Minnesota in 2019. Photograph: Star Tribune/Getty Images

Balancing Trail Access and Safety in East Bay Parks

Rusty, the California State Parks Mounted Patrol horse, wrote a book!

Mary West: Exploring the El Dorado Trail around Placerville

Interior Announces Plans to Strengthen Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

The new, larger CCC in the works under Biden administration

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