Reject the Proposed Lime Ridge Open Space FLOW Trails

This trail needs input from the local neighborhood

These new Flow Trails and the number of bikes that would be on them will be very destructive to the wildlife and flora. I strongly oppose this! I think the current # of bikes should be limited. Even now, as I hike the ridge I have almost been run over by bikes traveling very fast. permits are required for camp and park use. they should require the same to limit bikes on trails.

I am sure a better plan can be made to keep the beauty of the hills, and protect the homes that are in the area.

I am against the proposed bike path.

I am a resident who will be directly effected by this new trail, and I am very concerned about this proposal. I am also appalled that this decision was made with absolutely no communication with nor input from residents.

The bikers have ruined part of Lime Ridge. It is not our turn. While the hill is covered with a non-native grass, it is none the less attractive. I believe the environmental impact will be great.

This trail is quite ill-considered, but the worst aspect is the City’s failure to notify or consult with neighboring residents. Very poor management indeed.

We were told our open space was designated as a reserve an area that would never be developed. Horses and hikers should have this land left as open space

Bikers go too fast. No parking at the starting point. Hikers will have problems avoiding collisions.

We are new residents to the community and very concerned.

I oppose this as well as the hideous shade structures installed at Arbolado park which they put in without consulting the neighbors in Walnut Green HOA. They are an eyesore and no one wanted them there. The trail will also cause more traffic on Arbolado Drive which is our cross street and we already have a problem with traffic from kids partying at the park and from outsiders coming to use the park and leaving trash, vandalizing and speeding as it’s not their neighborhood so they have no regard for safety or the upkeep of it. The person running the parks and recreation department clearly has no regard fos the residents in this area.

It is irresponsible of the city of Walnut Creek to even consider such an intrusive paths that is an abuse of the environment, not to mention a safety and fire hazard for residents, hikers and equestrians.

Apparently, mountain bikers have already done lasting damage to another area of the Lime Ridge Open Space (by the quarry) and in an effort to save natural chaparral and native plants in that area, the Walnut Creek Trails Committee wants to relocate bikers to the area of Lime Ridge which directly abuts the Rancho Paraiso development (because it is only “grassland” which isn’t true - and deemed to be less precious). This would greatly affect use and access by current hikers, runners and equestrians who live in Rancho Paraiso and also attract an influx of mountain bikers from all over the Bay Area since it will become the only legal “Flow Trail” (a unidirectional bike trail, at least 8-feet wide, with switchbacks, berms and jumps designed to minimize braking and control the speed of the bikers). Even though motorized bikes are illegal in the Open Space, an influx of bikers on electric bikes is also inevitable since Walnut Creek only has 3 rangers to police all of the Open Space and they have not been able to enforce existing regulations (thus the damage to current wildlife areas). There have been 4 fires on the hillside behind our homes in the last 25 years and we are very concerned about increased fire danger and losing the cows that graze those hills to keep vegetation down in the buffer zone abutting our homes. Many residents on Timberleaf Court have recently had their homeowners’ insurance cancelled because our street was recently upgraded to a high-risk fire zone. I doubt the mountain bikers will even leave existing damaged areas alone - they will just expand their sphere of damage to include the open space directly abutting Rancho Paraiso. To make matters worse, this is just “Phase 1” of the plan - more expanded and connecting Bike Flow Trails are slotted for the Lime Ridge Open Space in the future! This plan makes absolutely no sense, environmentally or otherwise! Local residents must take a stand to stop this.

This proposal will negatively impact the residents and nature in that area.

Traffic has increased significantly in the past two years in this area. A new trail would attract more cars, add to pollution and results in more accidents and crime. Congestion will also depreciate the value of our homes and prevent residents from having the tranquility and safety that they pay a dear price to maintain. Before investing in new trails, we need to invest in safety and fireproof measures in RP and the City of Walnut Creek.

It does not seem that the issues identified with the current trails will be solved by this proposal. Those issues will remain unchanged. What will change is that there will be a new trail attracting new bikers. Furthermore, the trailhead will be in a residential neighborhood where increased traffic and parking will be to the detriment of the residents. If there is truly a problem with the existing trails, then enforce existing regulations on those trails. If there is truly a need for a new biking trail, then place both it and its access (including parking) at a location away from a residential area, perhaps directly off of Ygnacio Valley Road.

I reject the proposed Lime Ridge open space trail which negatively affects the Rancho Paraiso neighborhood and community.

I am strongly opposed to adding a bike/hike trail entrance in our private neighborhood and am schocked that Park, Rec, Open Space Commission has the audacity to request something so dangerous that violates the residents HOA community bi-laws and our families safety. There are plenty of public park trail entrances easily accessable Considering to add this ridiculous trail is not only redundant but it puts our children, pets, exercisers and wildlife in danger while exposing our homes to strangers who will park on our streets, leave garbage and disturb our quiet private moments.

We do NOT need any more biking trails in this area. Just make the existing ones safer and make sure the bikers follow the rules.

This is an example of a rushed plan without the proper research and consideration. There are many other areas to create an access point to bike trails. MANY. Proposing one at the end of a court in a neighborhood that does not have through access is not only careless but dangerous. We are already dealing with traffic and speeding issues on both sides of Arbolado Dr including the area in front of Arbolado Park where children are always present. And not to mention the impact it would have on the residents on Timerberleaf Ct.