Equestrians worry about culture, trail conflicts Schools & Kids, posted by Editor, The Almanac Online, on Sep 21, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Equestrians from Portola Valley and nearby communities seem nettled, in part by the prospect of students frequenting a trail along the south side of Alpine Road, and in part by the prospect of a new charter for the town's Trails Committee.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 11:21 AM
Posted by parent, a resident of the Portola Valley: Ladera neighborhood, on Sep 21, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Equestrians are so selfish. Of course students should have priority! If equestrians can't share the trails with students, they should use other trails until the trails can be widened.
Posted by Hiker, a resident of the Woodside: other neighborhood, on Sep 21, 2010 at 1:28 pm
It's just like the bike/car argument: a few high-and-mighty equestrians ruin it for the rest of 'em. Most of the riders I have met are perfectly nice, and seem genuinely happy to see a pedestrian out enjoying the trails too. But a few have the "I'm going to ride a large, nervous, unpredictable animal along shared public trails, and therefore they're really my trails" attitude.
Posted by R.GORDON, a resident of another community, on Sep 21, 2010 at 7:53 pm R.GORDON is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
Peace and love, Hiker.
I have lived in Woodside and in my even more "elite" area which was bought for privacy, I have a first hand knowledge about how most people really think about "outsiders". The jokes snobbism is so antiquated and is growing with the population growth.
Listening to some people talking about how glad they were about the recesssion and the foreclosures outside the area, was disgusting, so I grabbed my Mark Cross bag and left in my new Tesla sports.
Posted by Parent #2, a resident of the Portola Valley: Ladera neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2010 at 9:57 am
I agree with Hiker. Can't we all share? School hours are regular; equestrians could ride trails outside of school hours. I love that students are getting themselves around town on foot and bike. Don't we want our students to be self-sufficient and responsible while getting exercise? Isn't it nice to think about keeping some cars off the road because parents don't have to drive their kids from school to an after-school activity?
Posted by AlpineTraveler, a resident of the Portola Valley: Ladera neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I recall that PV had accepted the offer for Stanford to build the promised trail portion in PV. The article does not mention that pending "Trail" change. (Maybe either party changed their mind about the $$.)
Posted by Randy Martin, a resident of the Menlo Park: Fair Oaks neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Trailscape.net
I am a professional trail builder.
Two points:
Covering the trail with gravel is problematic for two reasons. First, once it is installed it will have to be maintained yearly or it will look unsightly, second, it is actually more slippery. Third, try rolling a rollerbag on gravel,you won't do it for long. I say either leave it natural or pave it.
Second, the best solution to address trail conflicts is more trail, this provides less people per mile, you might even try side by side trail, or passing areas. More trail is a permanent solution, more value. More regulation means more angst and the need to enforce. More hassle, less value.
Posted by David Boyce, Almanac staff writer, on Sep 22, 2010 at 3:35 pm David Boyce is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
The trail to be built along Alpine Road at Stanford University's expense starts at the town's border with Ladera and goes west to Arastradero Road, about one mile.
The section of Alpine Road trail in question for this story is all located west of the intersection with Arastradero Road.
As for the possibly resurfacing, it will not be gravel. The term of art, I believe, is decomposed granite. It drains well, is smoother than gravel (if the trails at Town Center are any guide) and has a glue of some kind that holds everything together.
Posted by Trail User, Parent, a resident of the Portola Valley: Portola Valley Ranch neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Most all regular trail users understand we all must share the trail system; we are so lucky to have beautiful trails to get around, exercise and enjoy our lovely town. I think we can also all agree that we need to carry out greater efforts to get more kids biking & walking to schools & after school activities. The question is how far do go in "improving" our trails along the main roads to accommodate rolling backpacks, bicycles and so on? Do we really need to build 4 ft wide paths with hard cement like surfaces? And will the kids use these "improved" trails if we build them? The recently re-surfaced path from Indian Crossing to Saddleback is now covered with some kind of crushed, packed hard surface that looks like concrete - it is pretty ugly compared to the light beige packed pea gravel that was there before. I hope the Town does not extend this type of concrete like surface all the way down to the Alpine Swim Club. I suggest the best solution is to make improvements to the existing crosswalks on Alpine at Portola Rd and at Golden Oak across from the Alpine Club. Better crosswalk markings & signage, pedestrian activated flashing lights such as they have at Georgia Lane, and midway ped islands could be installed. Then school kids on bike or foot could more safely use the all ready paved asphalt pathway that extends on the north side of Alpine Rd from Portola Rd to Golden Oak. Keeping Portola Valley's beautiful rural, natural pathways should be a priority for all who value our Town's traditions and natural setting.
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