HomeMy WebLinkAbout103-Attachment 2 - Memorandum prepared by the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee .pdfMemorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee
Date: June 17, 2007
Re: Illegal Bicycle Trail at Parker Ranch
Committee Report:
It has come to our attention that an illegal bike trail that is quite intricately
constructed has been created in the open space area in Parker Ranch, adjacent
to our existing pedestrian and equestrian trail. There are intense switchbacks,
structures to ride over and drainage pipes put in place. The City does not have a
trail easement in this particular location. Bikes are not permitted. Residents have
complained. The bike trail endangers life and limb, destabilizes the slope and
damages trees. Several trees have had their roots completely exposed by the
digging of the switchbacks. The Trails Committee along with staff has come up
with several suggestions for dealing with this situation in a cost effective manner:
1. Remove all structures
2. Destroy strategic switchbacks, e.g. at top, middle and bottom of the trail, and
maybe those close to intersections with the pedestrian trail
3. Repair areas where roots are exposed and trees are damaged
4. Ask Sheriff to patrol for a finite period of time
5. After time period is over, ask Homeowners Association to take over cost of
extra patrols (landscape and lighting)
6. Repair and develop existing pedestrian trail to encourage more pedestrians to
use the trail and be watchdogs
7. Block confusing side trails with simple signs “closed for restoration”
8. The Trails Committee would like to hold a planned hike in this area to further
encourage pedestrian use
9. Review trail signage – more restrictive, more signs
10. Review on-street parking
In general we think our money is better spent on construction and improvement
of the pedestrian and equestrian trail and spending as little as possible on
destruction. We absolutely need to protect the integrity of the slope and existing
trees. This will take periodic enforcement events.
Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee