HomeMy WebLinkAbout104-Attachment 3 - Letter from Mr. Ajit Goel.pdfFrom: Goel, Ajit
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 3:05 PM
To: 'Denise Goldberg'
Cc: 'sgardner.saratoga@sbcglobal.net'; 'g.viale@comcast.net'; Rani Goel;
'sunita_gupta@hotmail.com'; 'jcherbone@saratoga.ca.us'
Subject: Parker Ranch bike trail damage, part 1 of 6
Denise:
Thank you for the opportunity on June 19, 2007 to address the members of the Pedestrian,
Equestrian and Bicycle Trails Committee regarding my concerns as a resident of Parker Ranch in
the city of Saratoga. I believe I speak for many homeowners in Parker Ranch that are enduring
the damage being done to our beautiful area in many different ways by the swarm of local
bicyclists.
As you are aware, there is a trail next to my home for pedestrians (hikers) and once a year horse
riders. This trail connects Parker Ranch Rd to Picea Court near the green water tank at the top.
Over the years, the City has unsuccessfully tried to keep the bikers out and they keep coming
back with great enthusiasm and in larger numbers every year. We will call this trail # 1. The
enforcement (posting deputies for a few hours and infrequently at one end or both) has been
feeble without any arrests or fines for the bikers. And the bikers know it and continue to ignore all
posted signs and regulations.
I own the large parcel of open land (at the intersection of Prospect Rd., Parker Ranch Rd., and
Parker Ranch Court Rd.) next to trail #1. Over the last month or two the bikers have carved out a
second trail (illegal) on my private property. The work has been done in the cover of darkness.
This trail # 2 eventually joins trail #1, Many plants, trees and branches have been cut and
removed to make trail #2. A recent sign placed by the City at the entrance to trail #2 informing
bikers not to use the trail was gone within 2-3 days. Most recently, during the week of June 18th,
the bikers have taken to cutting plants and removing brush at the entrance to trail #1 at the
Parker Ranch Court Rd. entrance to make it wider and to avoid the obstacles installed by the city
to discourage bikers from using this trail. There is a “no bike” sign there indicating that bikes are
not allowed. Clearly, it is ignored by the bikers with impunity. This entrance to the trail is right
next to my driveway and the butchering of plants and bushes under the cover of the darkness has
now become a matter of safety and poses serious danger to my home and family. Gloves and
foil containers with wipes that prevent poison oak and ivy have been found in the location. It was
a well thought out and planned operation.
The trail covers a large open territory behind my home and along the backs of several homes on
Star Ridge Court. This is hillside area. The bikers have systematically ravaged the hillside,
removing soil, cutting trees, branches, and removing bushes and plants. Much of this now poses
great fire danger as dry fuel along the trail. This has been done to construct very elaborate
system of multi level tracks (think Luge –like extensive curved tracks) on the trail with
switchbacks, wooden ramps of many sizes and shapes to practice their bike tricks. The scale
and enormity of the tracks is shocking in scope and breadth and quite unbelievable. Trash is
ever present in the form of plastic bottles, wrappers, napkins and tissues etc. I am continuously
picking up this trash on the trail. Serious environmental damage and erosion are the unintended
consequences. During the winter months the erosion is extensive as the dirt flows into the creek
nearby. Several photographs are attached. The photos are being sent in several emails to keep
the file size manageable for recipients of this email.
Much of this area is supposed to be scenic easements that are for the enjoyment of the residents
and hikers. The bikers have taken that away by monopolizing the trail. It is only a matter of time
before someone gets seriously hurt and lawsuits are filed. If left as is, we can be sure that the
word is going to spread in the biking community and more and more bikers are going to be
attracted to Parker Ranch bike trail to ride these tracks. We, as residents along the trail, have to
put up with the biker’s screams, foul and obscene language and the noise when we are out on
our decks or in our backyards. Some drastic action is necessary to send the bikers a message. I
would urge the city to strongly consider quickly destroying the entire system of tracks,
switchbacks and the ramps on the trail and restoring the land to its natural state. To seriously
discourage bikers, I would be in favor of installing some fencing at all entrances of the trail so that
only hikers on foot can get in. This would be an unmistakable sign of reversing the physical and
environmental damage.
On my open land, bikers park their cars and trucks and leave trash behind. I am forced to
consider fencing the whole area to keep the intruders out.
Please feel free to share this message with others on your committee and with other members of
the city government. Please discuss this at your next meeting on July 17th and advise what
actions are planned by the City. We need some swift actions please.
Ajit Goel
12467 Parker Ranch Rd.
Saratoga, CA 95070
408-867-9338 home
408-373-7179 cell