The Board has officially rejected the proposal to convert our trails. This victory was a long haul and I am exhausted but relieved that the meadows and wildlife remain protected. We must stay alert to ensure this decision holds firm in the coming years.
September 28, 2015
Oppose Change of Use of Alto Bowl/Horse Hill Open Space Hiking/Walking and Equestrian Trails
Final supporters
To the Marin County Board of Supervisors and Marin County Parks:
We, the undersigned Friends of Marin Open Space, are opposed to any proposal to change the use of open space lands to accommodate recreational mountain bikers, in particular the proposal by cycling advocates to convert the Horse Hill/Meadowcrest Ridge Trail, the Gasline Trail and the Middagh Trail from single track to multi-use. We support the upgrade of the Gasline Trail by the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) for safety reasons, but do object strongly to the proposed cutting of a new multi‑use trail through the open meadow adjacent to the Gasline Trail.
These open space lands are home to abundant wildlife including deer (especially does and fawns), bobcats, coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits, at least one mountain lion, nesting Great Horned Owls, black and red-tailed hawks, migrating birds, as well as diverse flora throughout the preserve, all of which would be severely and irreparably harmed by the contemplated change of use proposed by advocates for trail biking in our open space districts.
These lands are used extensively by walkers, hikers and equestrians along single tracks that were never intended or constructed for the recreational use of mountain bikers who have a multitude of options on existing fire roads and bike lanes throughout southern and central Marin.
We believe a change of use and increased presence of mountain bikes will:
- threaten the safety of walkers, hikers and equestrians
- encourage the building of unlawful "rogue" trails across open meadows, exposing MCOSD to major ongoing erosion control expenses
- permanently displace wildlife and destroy natural flora
- harass the horses on Horse Hill
- breach the privacy and security of the adjacent homes
- expose MCOSD to significant costs for liability insurance due to risk exposure to cyclists, horses, and equestrians on Horse Hill.
Please oppose a change of use for these unique trails
P.S. Once you submit your signature and comments, another iPetition window will display asking for a donation. Simply close this window. Thank you.
Updates
July 22, 2015
Seeing the count climb this high feels like a heavy weight being lifted from my shoulders if only for a moment. This fight is draining and the road ahead remains steep but knowing this many people care about these trails provides the quiet fuel I need to keep pushing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2015
55 Comments
I'm afraid to take my 6 year old son on the Bob Middagh trail in the Alto Bowl Open Space now that the mountain bikers have discovered it. They refuse to share the trail, and it's just too dangerous. Please keep the bikers on the trails and roads set aside for them and keep them off the pedestrian trails.
We need transparent process and full public outreach to area resident stakeholders if the Supervisors contemplate putting the Alto Bowl to new use. Please no backroom deals with the powerful mountain bike lobby.
I am an avid biker myself, yet I strongly oppose the opening of Horse Hill to mountain bikers. It is an incredible, serene place with wildlife so rare to be able to observe nearby, not to mention the horses. As much as I'd enjoy mountain biking down that hill, it would ruin the space!
I have lived in Scott Valley for 47 years. My kids grew up playing, picnicking and watching the beautiful horses on Horse Hill. Please preserve this for future generations. Thank you.
Horse Hill was saved from developers in the 1980s by grass roots support of the community, and stewardship of this remarkable Mill Valley landmark was given to the MCOSD. Please don't turn it into a playground for mountain bikers!
Cyclists whining about their 'right' to SHARE this land* -they are the elitists! .. is what you meant to say?
I feel very strongly that the animals inhabitating the preserve should be left in peace to enjoy their environment.
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The Board has officially rejected the proposal to convert our trails. This victory was a long haul and I am exhausted but relieved that the meadows and wildlife remain protected. We must stay alert to ensure this decision holds firm in the coming years.
September 28, 2015
Oppose Change of Use of Alto Bowl/Horse Hill Open Space Hiking/Walking and Equestrian Trails
Final supporters
To the Marin County Board of Supervisors and Marin County Parks:
We, the undersigned Friends of Marin Open Space, are opposed to any proposal to change the use of open space lands to accommodate recreational mountain bikers, in particular the proposal by cycling advocates to convert the Horse Hill/Meadowcrest Ridge Trail, the Gasline Trail and the Middagh Trail from single track to multi-use. We support the upgrade of the Gasline Trail by the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) for safety reasons, but do object strongly to the proposed cutting of a new multi‑use trail through the open meadow adjacent to the Gasline Trail.
These open space lands are home to abundant wildlife including deer (especially does and fawns), bobcats, coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits, at least one mountain lion, nesting Great Horned Owls, black and red-tailed hawks, migrating birds, as well as diverse flora throughout the preserve, all of which would be severely and irreparably harmed by the contemplated change of use proposed by advocates for trail biking in our open space districts.
These lands are used extensively by walkers, hikers and equestrians along single tracks that were never intended or constructed for the recreational use of mountain bikers who have a multitude of options on existing fire roads and bike lanes throughout southern and central Marin.
We believe a change of use and increased presence of mountain bikes will:
- threaten the safety of walkers, hikers and equestrians
- encourage the building of unlawful "rogue" trails across open meadows, exposing MCOSD to major ongoing erosion control expenses
- permanently displace wildlife and destroy natural flora
- harass the horses on Horse Hill
- breach the privacy and security of the adjacent homes
- expose MCOSD to significant costs for liability insurance due to risk exposure to cyclists, horses, and equestrians on Horse Hill.
Please oppose a change of use for these unique trails
P.S. Once you submit your signature and comments, another iPetition window will display asking for a donation. Simply close this window. Thank you.
Updates
July 22, 2015
Seeing the count climb this high feels like a heavy weight being lifted from my shoulders if only for a moment. This fight is draining and the road ahead remains steep but knowing this many people care about these trails provides the quiet fuel I need to keep pushing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2015
55 Comments
The picture of two bike tracks is worth a thousand words. Dozens of horses wandering Horse Hill over the years and not a hoofprint is visible in the photo, yet a few bikes have made lasting pizza-cutter tracks thru the grasses. Not good for the environment, let alone safety of other users.
I'm afraid to take my 6 year old son on the Bob Middagh trail in the Alto Bowl Open Space now that the mountain bikers have discovered it. They refuse to share the trail, and it's just too dangerous. Please keep the bikers on the trails and roads set aside for them and keep them off the pedestrian trails.
We need transparent process and full public outreach to area resident stakeholders if the Supervisors contemplate putting the Alto Bowl to new use. Please no backroom deals with the powerful mountain bike lobby.
I am an avid biker myself, yet I strongly oppose the opening of Horse Hill to mountain bikers. It is an incredible, serene place with wildlife so rare to be able to observe nearby, not to mention the horses. As much as I'd enjoy mountain biking down that hill, it would ruin the space!
I have lived in Scott Valley for 47 years. My kids grew up playing, picnicking and watching the beautiful horses on Horse Hill. Please preserve this for future generations. Thank you.
Horse Hill was saved from developers in the 1980s by grass roots support of the community, and stewardship of this remarkable Mill Valley landmark was given to the MCOSD. Please don't turn it into a playground for mountain bikers!
Cyclists whining about their 'right' to SHARE this land* -they are the elitists! .. is what you meant to say?
I feel very strongly that the animals inhabitating the preserve should be left in peace to enjoy their environment.
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The picture of two bike tracks is worth a thousand words. Dozens of horses wandering Horse Hill over the years and not a hoofprint is visible in the photo, yet a few bikes have made lasting pizza-cutter tracks thru the grasses. Not good for the environment, let alone safety of other users.