Squashing the bike ban rumors at Banner
I talked with a County Parks rep today. Bottom line is that they are not looking to shut down Banner Forest to bikes. The rumors that have been circulating are false and VERY unofficial. KC Parks is evaluating the trails in the conservancy area in the middle (see below).
This is official status from KC Parks:
Dear Banner Forest Advocate,
It has been a few weeks since we met to discuss the trail development in Banner Forest. As we continue moving forward, we would like to keep you informed of the initial steps that we have taken or anticipate having completed in the next few weeks.
· Parks Department and Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) staff has reconfirmed the 139 acre conservation easement boundary.
· Parks Department staff is in the process of securing the services necessary for the wetland delineation which fall within the conservation easement.
· Beginning this week (July 12th) additional signs will be posted along the easement boundary to better identify the area for park users.
· As the first part of the trail assessment (priority given to conservation area) the 139 acre tract has been divided into evaluation areas. Parks Department will begin the assessment in the area above Echoes Trail (northwest), then below Echoes Trail (southwest), followed by the area between Tunnel Vision and Banner Slough (east).
· We anticipate that the assessment, recommendations, and identification of the next steps to be taken will be presented during the October Stewardship meeting.
· Since the County had never approved the construction of jumps and other obstacles, the objects are being removed. If the installation of the objects is deemed appropriate and acceptable, the design and installation of obstacles will be done so with the approval of the County Risk Manager and Parks Department.
· As we perform our trail assessments, a Steering Committee will be selected to help review the original Master Plan, evaluate planning/use guidelines, and participate in discussions for the appropriate uses of the trails and the trail system.
Saturday, July 17th is the next scheduled work day for the Banner Forest stewardship group. With our spring rain and the warm weather, some of the trails are becoming closed in. For user safety and comfort, the Parks Department will work with the group to clear the following trails: Golden Gate, San Francisco, Oakland, Capitulate, Sidewinder, and then a trail or two in the Greek Row area. If you are interested in helping with this project, meet at the Banner Rd. parking area at 10:00am on Saturday July 17th. We will divide into groups and tackle as many of these trails as possible. Due to limited parking, please carpool.
If there are other trails that you feel need to be evaluated for clearing, please contact Lori Raymaker at 337-5372.
Reminder: The next Banner Forest stewardship group meeting will be on Monday, Aug. 2nd at 7:00 pm at the Long Lake Community Center.
Hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday for our work party.
