Low-Intensity Recreation : Trails
I am passionate about trails. As a dedicated trail user who day hikes, backpacks, skis and snowshoes on trails, I am very interested in the design, development and maintenance of single and multi-use trails in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. And MROSD offers over 200 miles of hiking trails with appropriate minimally invasive visitor improvements such as gravel parking areas, restrooms and signs.
In my position at San Mateo County Department of Parks, I am involved with trail development. I am responsible for County Park’s Alternative Funding Program. My job is to track legislation, research funding opportunities and secure funds for the design, permits and construction of trails. Once funding is secured, I continue as part of the design and construction team on County Park trail projects. I have also nearly completed a degree in landscape architecture and have completed the California State Parks Trails Maintenance Management Program Certificate. I usually attend the annual California Trails and Greenways Conference.
As Ward 7 Director, I can quickly understand conceptual designs, review construction documents and support MROSD staff in the implementation of trail projects.
I am also involved with trail maintenance. I manage the County’s Trail Day Program which is a partnership-based volunteer program that focuses on the renovation of existing County Park trails. Volunteers assist with trail tread repairs, solve drainage problems and clear brush alongside trails. This program highlists annual trail events such as California Trail Day, National Trail Day and National Public Lands Day.
As a Ward 7 Director, I will work with MROSD’s Volunteer Program staff and volunteers to continue their outstanding outdoor service project program that constructs and maintains preserve trails. I will also support MROSD’s operations staff in having adequate staff, tools and resources to maintain trails.
For MROSD, I advocate the development of new trails in existing preserves or future preserves, where appropriate for single or multiple uses. I support an open process to balance community needs, protection of natural resources and MROSD policies.
I serve on the Steering Committee of the San Francisco Bay Trail and Advisory Committee of the Bay Area Water Trail. While not in Ward 7, The Bay Trail exists in the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. With these relationships, but also familiarity with the Bay Area Ridge and Coastal Trails, I can support MROSD’s continued partnership with these important regional trails.
Cecily hiking one of her favorite trails at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
I enjoy day hiking, backpacking, sea kayaking, and nature study in local parks and open spaces. I especially enjoy hiking in my nearby District preserve, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Open Space Planning
Now that MROSD has acquired significant tracts of open space lands for permanent protection, it is time to focus on providing public access through low impact recreational opportunities. We need to engage the community in appreciating their open space preserves. To fully appreciate and advocate for the preserves, they need to be able to visit the preserves not just locate them on a map or travel by them.
Within some of the recently acquired open space preserves there will be opportunities to support appropriate low impact recreational opportunities. Open space preserve trails are needed for the community for nature study, socialization with friends and family as well as for exercise.
Hiking, equestrian, and/or mountain biking trails should be considered. In particular for new trails that connect to existing or planned trails in San Mateo County Parks, California State Parks, or city-owned parks and open spaces. But thorough site planning, environmental review and public comment must be undertaken as part of the process.
As Ward 7 Director, I will be a strong advocate for the development and maintenance of new sections of east-west (Bay to Ocean) trails, connections to regional trails and linkages to other land managing agency’s trails.
In addition to trails, other locations may be better suited for the development of overlooks where open space preserve visitors can view some of MROSD’s diverse offering of natural habitats – redwood, oak and fir forests, chaparral-covered hillsides, riparian corridors, grasslands, and wetlands. Benches and spotting scopes can complete this simple but appropriate use of open space preserve lands for visitor services.
As part of the planning process, the ongoing protection and enhancement of all natural, cultural and historical resources must be considered. As part of MROSD’s Capital Improvement Program, protection and enhancement should be implemented.
As a Ward 7 Director, I will work with the Board of Directors, General Manager and staff to identify preserves with the most potential for new public access. This effort will involve the review of MROSD’s Regional Open Space Study, existing open space preserve master or site plans for opportunities as well as the development of new planning initiatives.
I will make sure that the community can fully participate in the planning process through review of these plans and studies. Neighbors, user groups and other stakeholders must be able discuss new plans and provide public comment to support making the best, balanced planning decision for the natural resources and community.