Half Moon Bay Review/Julia Reis, 7/12/11. "A new section of the Coastal Trail opened this afternoon after a
quarter-century's worth of land purchases, bond freezes and permitting
paperwork. The Cowell-Purisima Trail was unveiled Thursday in a
ribbon-cutting ceremony involving Peninsula Open Space Trust and the
California Coastal Conservancy representatives and volunteers.
Representatives of San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley and state
Assemblyman Rich Gordon were also present at the event. "I'm thrilled
that we finally pulled it off and got to the end," said Sam Schuchat,
executive officer of Coastal Conservancy. "It took awhile, but all good
things are worth waiting for."
The three-mile trail, which is located at Cowell Ranch State Beach in Half Moon Bay, is open to hikers and bicyclists, but no dogs or horses are permitted. POST and the Coastal Conservancy will work in conjunction with the habitat restoration company Go Native, Inc., which signed a three-year contract to provide staffers to maintain the trail. POST officials say that there is a washout on one part of the trail that still needs to be fixed, but that parts of the trail are accessible in the meantime."
Posted by Kathy Meeh
12 comments:
At first I couldn't think why you took such a negative tone to this story, as if this new trail were somehow depriving you of a pending economic windfall, until I got the part about "no dogs". OK, I get it now.
Or, it could be frustration with the continuing waste of taxpayer money--money that is desperately needed elsewhere-- on recreation and pet projects enjoyed by a few people.
Oh yes, I know, it's money allocated for such trifles that can't be used for anything else. That makes it even more galling. This system is broken. How long do our leaders keep their heads buried in the sand? Just as long as we keep voting for them. Wake up people!
Anon 7/24, 10:52pm, "No dogs or horses are permitted" on the trail is listed in the article, not in my comment. Glad you brought-up dog discrimination though. Those who you care about the health of dogs, please help POOCH get their dog park financed. Posted here 7/18 are 2 articles that link to the PetSafe $100,000 voting contest. Vote daily for the next approximate 10 days of the contest, its easy if you use the same computer.
As for being negative on trails, as if it mattered, trails are nice and appreciated in scenic locations (stop and walk). They are not directly a significant component of an economic plan for the coast, and there is the maintenance cost. However in order to create revenue, its possible where the trail is stable, the county could add a lemonade stand and a pay restroom.
Meeh 7/25 12:16 I laughed when I read how you misused the phrase "dog discrimination" (applicable to the size or temperament of specific breeds). I assume you feel "discriminated against" because bowser won't be allowed to crap on private property - that's right POST buys the property using private donations, but you knew that, right?
Oh, and the lack of economic impact and "maintenance cost" you attribute to the the public? Well it so happens that POST contracted locally with Go Native, Inc. to maintain the trail. So just what do you have against creating job and property rights, or is anything tied to nature and the environment just so ....creepy to you (as if it mattered)?
"...bowser won't be allowed to crap on private property - that's right POST buys the property using private donations.."
Your support for private property rights is commendable. Consistently, therefore, that must mean you also support private property development, including on the coastline.
Does the POST private property land trust block access to certain citizens with their dogs on the beach? Is that also POST land? If the land is "public open space", blocking humans with their dogs without an endangered species reason still seems discriminatory to me.
Can't speak for Meeh but I wouldn't mind if they covered the coast with trails. What I do mind is the entrenched attitude among too many local policy makers that trails and such are the only suitable improvements to the land. That idealogy has nearly bankrupted Pacifica. Balance is sorely needed although it may be too late for this town because we have so very little left to work with.
that's great, thanks for posting this -- no pet poop. we get enough of it here in town - it's nice to go somewhere where there isn't any.
Meeh7/257:00
YES! I support private property right! Now do YOU support the idea that even private property is subject to zoning laws, environmental laws,etc. or do you believe that as a private property owner I can mine for lead next door to you?
It is private POST land and open public space. If I invite everyone into the public into my backyard that does not mean I grant you license to chop down my trees. So it seems you have this vague concept that "public access" means anything goes. POST says no dogs, therefore it is not discriminatory to anyone. Of course, if you believe dogs are people too... well that's a different topic.
Discriminatory!
Hey Anonymous@8:41AM:
"Minining for lead" and allowing families to enjoy nature and recreate with their family pets are miles apart. But you know that. Other than dogs and horses, I don't see any other species that inhabits the planet Earth excluded from this private/public, open space gem. I wonder why that is? So really, who's being discriminatory and who's being discriminated against??
Oh, and Anon@11:55PM, if you think dogs and horses are the only animals that poop, please buy yourself a biology textbook. Oh, and don't forget to read it...
Annon7/27:1:14 - Yes letting your dog poop and lead mines are miles apart - let the property owner decide where to draw the line - what are you some sort of Commie? ...other then dogs and horses... do you expect POST to list all species on their signs? Sheeesh.
Sheeesh? Commie? Somebody opened a time capsule?
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