Portola Valley: Gift of land expands open space Portola Valley: Gift of land expands open space (September 21, 2005)

Portola Valley will soon be 12 acres richer in open space with the donation of a parcel of land northwest of the end of Wayside Road and above the Hayfields subdivision.

The donors are John Montgomery "Monty" Kersten and Sheryl Lee Heckmann of Los Altos Hills. The gift includes $25,000, of which $20,000 will be used to improve the existing trail and $5,000 used to create an endowment for maintaining it.

"This is a really significant occasion for the town, to receive this beautiful gift of 12 acres," said Councilman Richard Merk at the September 14 council meeting.

The current informal trail starts near the Larry Lane trail in Portola Valley and ends near the Moreshead property in Woodside, said Town Administrator Angela Howard. The new trail -- which may be ready by the spring of 2006 -- will start at the Larry Lane trail and loop through the open space, she said.

The area will be open to equestrians, hikers and hikers with dogs on leashes. As is the case with all trails and open spaces in Portola Valley, it will open to non-residents as well as residents. The town may also install picnic tables and benches.

There will be no vehicle access, nor will bicyclists be allowed in, she said. If necessary, firefighters would gain entry to the area through a former easement located in Woodside.

Staying on the trail is advisable, given the prevalence of poison oak off the trail, said Ms. Howard.

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