Monday, September 15, 2014

California Coastal Trail through Pacifica, just part of a State plot to take our coastline


San Mateo County Times/Aaron Kinney, 9/13/14.  "Pacifica strikes deal to connect Coastal Trail at Devils Slide."  

3320337380_d2bf146bcb_o.jpg Photo
What's the fuss
Connecting the California Trail
....  The California Coastal Trail will one day run 1,200 miles from Oregon to Mexico. It is roughly halfway complete. The California Coastal Conservancy is in charge of making sure it gets finished.
Janet Diehl, a project manager for the conservancy, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. She previously said completing the Pacifica segment was a top priority. Colt could not be reached for comment. 

Devils Slide Trail opened in March, immediately taking its place as one of the most scenic coastal parks from Marin County to Santa Cruz. It runs 1.3 miles on a stretch of Highway 1 that became obsolete with the March 2013 debut of twin bypass tunnels connecting Pacifica and the small community of Montara."     Read article.

Reference - State of California Coastal Conservancy.  "The Coastal Conservancy acts with others to preserve, protect and restore the resources of the California Coast. Our vision is of a beautiful, restored and accessible coastline." Coastal Conservancy Pacifica references, includes Pedro Point Headlands, California Coastal Trail  Mori Point Coastal Trail and restoration, meetings with Pacifica Land Trust, Municipal Pier, Sharp Park Beach, City of Pacifica design blufftop trail and park (2001), etc., pages of links: 7 total. 

Related Fix Pacifica reprint:  CA Coastal Conservancy, and State of CA legislation. "Why coastal trails are part of our highway 1 funds".

San Mateo Times/Aaron Kinney, 5/7/13, "Pacifica:  Trail from beach to Devils Slide stalled by private landowner." "Once it's complete, the Pedro Point Headlands coastal trail will allow hikers and bicyclists to climb all the way from the surf and sand of Pacifica State Beach up to the stunning vistas along Devils Slide."  Note graphic by Bay Area News Group."

Note:  Graphic by Bay Area News Group from the related San Mateo Times article, 5/7/13. Photograph of the deer grazing from Everytrail, (points of interest on the Hazelnut Trail). 

 Posted by Kathy Meeh

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The more I hear and read about this, the more clear it becomes that all kinds of other entities with more money would have done this in the very near future if we'd just kept still. County, Coastal Conservancy, probably the state and feds. But oh no, that's not good enough for the Pacifica City Council. They gotta go clodhoppin' in. Weeee're here and what you've heard is true--we can't count.

Anonymous said...

It's not just that we don't have the money, it's also that we don't have the staff or manpower for the project.

Goddamn, we're cutting library hours and slowly defunding everything nonessential, but full steam ahead on what should be a county/state project.

Great job, numbskulls!

Kathy Meeh said...

631, don't worry, the city won't end up paying for this segment of the California Coastal Trail, other than the time and transfer involvement (and possible land option fees). Mayor Nihart did mention conservation grants at city council. She also mentioned paperwork for a grant is due by October 1st. So it seems the city is already busy working on collecting monies for the trail.

Wish the city were just as motivated to hire an Economic Development Director, and encourage a national or regional developer to build Beach Boulevard, the quarry, and any other area which would produce significant financial improvement in this city.

Tom Clifford said...

With the departure of our Planning Director An opportunity has opened up for the City of Pacifica. We could hire a replacement for George who has both expertise in planning and economic development and with the money set aside for an economic development coordinator hirer the staff this new director needs to support economic development out reach.

Anonymous said...

Amen 654. And frankly when council says it won't cost Pacifica any money other than the 15-20K option, I don't believe them. Just flat out zero trust in Nihart and co. And as mentioned the labor and admin comes from a shrinking, over-worked staff that can't take care of this city's needs now. All they had to do was wait and county or state would have done it and then maintained it. I'm sure there were discussions. Real swift move, council.

Anonymous said...

Great idea, Tom. It'll never happen. Call it Director of Accolades and Singer of Tributes and we're good to go.