Residents of Stanford Weekend Acres are quite diverse in terms of demographics, political views and attitudes on many issues. But they are strongly united on one thing. They overwhelmingly oppose Stanford’s push for a large bi-directional, multi-use sidewalk/trail along this dangerous heavily traveled traffic corridor.
Results of a neighborhood petition have just been released. Of the 180 residents reached, 165 oppose any consideration of a sidewalk/trail on the stretch of Alpine Road between Piers Lane and the Menlo Park city limit. People here are too familiar with the daily challenges presented by this unsafe roadway. Adding a new flow of children on bicycles, dog walkers, strollers and joggers in front of the cars already struggling to get in and out of this neighborhood is felt to be irresponsible at best.
Area residents presented the county with abundant research documenting the dangers of this type of multi-use roadside design during community meetings held last month.
It should be noted that Stanford Weekend Acres residents strongly support the idea of safe recreational trails in this area. There are several alternate trail alignment possibilities that are natural and beautiful, and would not require children to cross freeway off-ramps or ride alongside fast moving vehicles on a winding roadway. But Stanford has thus far rejected them all, maintaining that this is the only mitigation option they will consider.
Larry Horton , senior associate vice president for government and community relations at Stanford, and Dave Holland, San Mateo County assistant manager, have both assured Stanford Weekend Acres residents that they will not force this proposal on the community if the neighborhood is not in favor of the idea. This petition makes it clear that the opposition is overwhelming.
Ginger Holt, Stanford Weekend Acres
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