[Fleezus]

For those interested, here is a survey regarding the use of this new park area near Santa Cruz. I don't live in the area, but came across it in a post from our equestrians friends at ACE (Action Coalition for Equestrians).

Here is their post below:

Please take the survey and help keep this land open to equestrians:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CEMEXRedwoods
David De La Rosa, one of our fellow equestrians, who rides and has property in the Santa Cruz area, is asking us to spread the word - public input is being taken regarding public access to the CEMEX Redwood Forest Public lands in the Santa Cruz area managed by the Santa Cruz Land Trust.
This is a lovely, large new park that is perfect for equestrians.
PLEASE take a minute to tell them you WANT Horse Back Riding (and Horse Camping) in the CEMEX Property.
Hikers and Bikers have voted and 35% said they DO NOT WANT HORSES allowed AT ALL. Speak up so we don't lose our riding trails.
Please Email this to ALL Your horse friends and share on FB:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CEMEXRedwoods
Thanks,
ACE
--
Action Coalition for Equestrians (ACE)
www.acequestrians.org
To keep trails safe, make www.ParkWatchReport.org your homepage!

 

[Fleezus]

And from the Santa Cruz Land Trust, here are upcoming events/dates for this project:

- March 26th 2014. Community meeting sharing the results of the survey. Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz. More information at Land Trust of Santa Cruz County on Eventbrite.
- April 2014. The survey will be kept open for about a month after the March community meeting, and then closed mid-spring. The results will be published in the Draft Plan.
- July 2014. The Draft Plan will be shared at another community meeting. Date and location to be announced.
- July 2014. Public invited to share comments on Draft Plan through Land Trust of Santa Cruz County website: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

 

[ryanxj]

Good share. Quick and easy survey, don't be scurred

 

[modbog]

thanks for the link!

CEMEX is such an unfortunate name. it makes me think of cement, or maybe toxic waste. but it's not, it's redwoods! and potentially trails. that *might* even go from empire grade to the coast

through the red thing, and maybe into the green, then out to the blue?!?! what? that's like thousands of feet of smiles.

this thread needs to be re-posted as the "thousands of feet of smiles survey"

 

[Fleezus]

Done-ish. The "...of feet" part added too many characters to the title, so it's just "thousands of smiles".

 

[mrtoadsc]

I'm really pleased to see that the mountain biking community are watching this. The CEMEX Redwoods (crappy name but 8,500 acres) combined with the adjoining Coast Dairies properties (6,500 acres) could represent some truly epic experiences in Santa Cruz County between Bonny Doon and Davenport. Mountain biking is definitely considered a legitimate activity but there are constraints and we have to be respectful of other user groups and the surrounding community.

The survey closes at the end of April so please take some time to fill it out. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CEMEXRedwoods

MBoSC has been tracking this issue and have been engaged in the public access plan.

Some more info about the CEMEX Redwoods are here:

CEMEX | Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC)

 

[Fleezus]

A major concern of the locals is fire danger and illegal drug use. Could be valuable points to make in the comments section where we point out that both of those are very unlikely results from bicycle use in the forest. We aren't typically taking shrooms and riding for 30 miles, and we aren't typically smokers. Certainly won't be stopping to start a campfire while out on a ride.

 

[Diesel~]

Not the best phone photo, but here's a little more info from the POST newsletter. Note the response tallies of what people would like to be allowed and not allowed.

Also, don't forget to fill out the survey, if you've not done so.

-D

 

[Carl Hungus]

It was under the radar but this happened yesterday...

Coast Dairies transferred to BLM

 

[Berkeley Mike]

My comment:

These lands need to be shared. Exclusive use of trails by equestrians is unfair to all. Equestrians must be responsible for the behavior of their mounts and be trained to manage interaction with all other trail users. Statistically, as an actuarial evaluation, equestrians are as dangerous as motorcycles and skiing. They are a danger to themselves even if left to themselves.

 

[mrtoadsc]

It was under the radar but this happened yesterday...

Coast Dairies transferred to BLM

Thanks for posting this Carl.

After 16 years, the 5,800 acre Coast Dairies property was conveyed to the BLM yesterday. This is a HUGE opportunity for recreation in Santa Cruz County. Here are some more deets from the local paper:

California scenic coastal expanse preserved near Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz Sentinel

I personally have been waiting for this to happen since 2006. Together with the 8,500 acre CEMEX property means there will be amazing recreational opportunities opening up over the next 10 years.

CEMEX | Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC)

I'm hoping to work with you folks help develop MBoSC to capitalize on these fantastic opportunities.

This is very good news.