Midpen board meetings cover many interesting and important topics, but after attending many meetings, I had heard very little discussion of trails. Since trails are the primary feature through which most open space users enjoy the preserves, I wanted to insert more trail discussion into the meetings to increase awareness of user goals and best practices in trail design and trail system management. The topics below contain the verbal and written input I’ve presented to the board over the past year.
Trail Topics is an ongoing project. Its purpose is to make sure that at least some small portion of each MROSD board meeting is devoted to trails, since the trails are the way that most users enjoy the open space.
Several trail users have spoken in favor of my input in recent meetings. I’m proud to say that they include equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers.
Trail use opens our eyes and minds to the value of the open space. It draws us back, and in the end it creates the next generation of land stewards.
- Introduction
- Roads and Trails
- Why We Like Narrow Trails
- Trail Map Suggestion
- Trail Policies
- Dual Use Trails
- The Most Famous Trail in Los Gatos
- Comments on E-Bike Access
- Things I Learned From Equestrians
- Narrow Ridge to Valley Trails
- Comments on Board Retreat Topics
- Comments on Conservation Grazing
- Directing Traffic
- Comments on Mt. Umunhum
- Beginners and …
Introduction
I’m a frequent user of the open space and I guess I’ve visited Midpen preserves close to 1000 times on bike or foot. My daughter is an equestrian who rides at Bear Creek. Over the years I’ve become an enthusiastic trails advocate. I’ve taken many classes in trail design and maintenance, and I’m also a […]
Roads and Trails
In the board meeting two weeks ago I introduced Trail Topics, with the goal of providing information about trails and spreading trail advocacy. As I mentioned in that meeting, the board has provided a forum for discussion with staff, so these topics are just informational. Tonight I’d like to speak about the differences between roads […]
Why We Like Narrow Trails
Recently I introduced Trail Topics to help spread trail advocacy. The board has also provided a forum to discuss these topics with staff. Two weeks ago I spoke about why we shouldn’t see roads as a substitute for trails. Tonight I’ll expand on why we like purpose-built trails. I’d like to use the new Saratoga […]
Trail Map Suggestion
Transcript of input read into record: I’m unable to attend tonight’s meeting in person but would like to continue to comment on Trail Topics. In the past two meetings I discussed roads and trails and explained why I think there is much higher value to purpose-built trails. I’d like to describe a specific suggestion that […]
Trail Policies
Over the past several meetings I’ve discussed various Trail Topics to help spread trail advocacy. The board has also provided a forum to discuss these topics with staff. Tonight I’d like to speak about trail policies. My understanding is that Midpen’s trail policies date mostly from around 1993, with some selective updates more recently. One […]
Dual Use Trails
I’d like to present another Trail Topic in the interest of improving the trail system for all users. The board has provided a forum to discuss these items with staff. My comments tonight will expand on those from Teri Baron in the last board meeting. Teri mentioned that as mountain bike use increased, some trails […]
The Most Famous Trail in Los Gatos
Thanks for the opportunity to speak again. I’d like to present another trail topic to encourage trail advocacy and improved user experience. The board has provided a forum to discuss these topics with staff. Tonight my topic is “The most famous trail in Los Gatos, and why we’d like it not to be.” The trail […]
Comments on E-Bike Access
Hello, MROSD Directors. While providing verbal input on trails as well as in my discussions with staff, I’ve avoided discussion of e-bikes as I didn’t want to divert attention from my main topic. At the same time, I know that Midpen is gathering a lot of input to make decisions on e-bikes and I would […]
Things I Learned From Equestrians
I mentioned when I introduced Trail Topics that I’d share some learning from equestrians. When I began thinking about multi-user advocacy, I was puzzled at how we hear a lot about equestrian/cyclist issues, yet some places like Fremont Older and Wilder Ranch seem to work well even though most trails are open to all users. […]