Trail news - La Honda preserve 8 years planning to achieve balance

Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 8/27/12.  "MROSD approves final plan for La Honda preserve."

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District directors approved a final master plan for the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve on Wednesday night, setting the long-sought park on course to open by 2015.

Open Space plan applauded by humans, critters and cattle

The new master plan caps more than eight years of planning by MROSD officials for how they would manage the 5,700 acre preserve just north of La Honda. Stewardship of the property requires balancing out public recreation with conserving the area as a nature habitat, and district officials say they have been intentionally cautious in how they proceed.

The district envisions eventually opening more than 25 miles of trails at the La Honda Creek preserve, with sections for cycling, dog-walking and horseback riding. Part of those trails will join with the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which is currently being phased to spread along Skyline and up through the Pilarcitos Creek watershed.

Much of the ranchland will continue being used for cattle grazing. MROSD work crews have worked to convert a series of cattle ponds into suitable habitat for red-legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake."   Read Article.

Reference - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, includes map.  Note:  "Limited parking, not wheelchair accessible". At this time, hikers and horses allowed.  No restrooms, no camping, no bicycles, no restrooms, no camping. and no dogs on or off leash. Note:  Photograph from the website.

Posted by Kathy Meeh