Trails of Tierrasanta are paved with good intentions

"Continues Schultz, “These trails were excavated in some people’s backyards. The question here is; ‘Have these people ever been asked if they want trails in the canyons behind them?”" If they were literally excavated in people's backyards, that would be an issue. But apparently, as Ms Schultz continues, it happened in the canyons behind them. This is inflammatory misinformation. Secondly, did anyone ever ask if they didn't want the trails? Take a poll. My guess is that Ms Schultz would be in the minority by a large margin. There are scarce recreational opportunities in San Diego, especially considering the potential of the area. The Mission Trails issue, as noted in the article, is just one example of such overreach and bureaucracy.
— July 21, 2014 3:36 p.m.

Deer Canyon trails traffic jam

Let’s do the math on this. I will preface this by saying that contrary to popular belief, a number of trail impact studies consistently find that cyclists have equal or less of an ‘impact factor’ than that of hikers, and far less than equestrians. http://www.imba.com/resources/science/index.html Single-track bike trails, like those in Deer Canyon, average maybe 3 ft wide, and yes although this may be slightly wider than the original migrant walking trails, expansion is limited to the current size. So then, how many feet of trails approximately comprise the final plans proposed by SDMBA (SDMBA.com) and MTC (Multi-use Trail Colilition)? Calculate the overall 'trail' area vs the overall ‘total’ area of Deer Canyon, etc. What percent will be used by trails? Furthermore, as the only trails accepted in the final trail proposals were careful not to impede into environmentally sensitive areas, what can be considered the actual 'impact factor' to the region should the proposals be accepted, taking into account the above calculation? As I suspect the total burden implied by the % area compounded by a very low impact factor on the environmentally sensitive areas would be quite small. So, how does it weigh against allowing or forbidding public access to the area? What if we add to this the fact that SDMBA and MTC are established stewards of the land that organize volunteer trail maintenance and care for the parks throughout San Diego? And if we compound with this the fact that there will be several cyclists patrolling the area, and yes we are very protective and concerned about the care and maintenance of this preserve? It was one such cyclist that took the pictures and alerted the Rangers of the tree cutting in Deer Canyon by vandals. Had he not been there, the damage would very likely have been far, far worse by the time the authorities discovered it. The other alternative is fencing the area off and forbidding public access. This has proven to not be a successful approach for the environment. Poachers will cut the fences and trespass. Unfortunately, this is apparent in the neglect of the ‘vernal pool’ area where dumped garbage, dirt bikes, 4x4s and parties did, and may still, frequent the area and damage the habitat. A less frequented, off-limits area would also be permissive for migrants to transiently inhabit the area again. It is an impossible job for the limited Ranger staff to care for the main park area and still patrol the borders of this large preserve. These issues should be what the public and those who will determine the outcome of this area weigh into their evaluations.
— December 18, 2008 2:25 p.m.

Deer Canyon trails traffic jam

I don't know, call me odd but I feel a little uncomfortable when a developer like Mr. Levitt speaks of a narrow 2 foot trail ever widening to, gee, 3 feet, and mounds of dirt piled up "damaging these natural features which have probably been there, undisturbed for thousands of years". Golly, has Mr. Levitt found green living environmentalism as his new religion? Probably not, here is an article referencing the board that Mr. Levitt now chairs, entitled "The Banana Republic of Del Mar Mesa". http://www.lisaross.com/html/CVNewsCols/dmmesa.pdf Here are some excerpts: "in a surprise conspiratorial overthrow, highly regarded and long-time Del Mar Mesa Community Planning Board Chair Jan Hudson was replaced by a developer member during a vote laced with violations of city council policy and its own bylaws." and "The regime change has put a fox in charge of the chicken coop: a developer who does not live in the area but has major projects in front of this board now Chairs a city advisory body charged with making sure new projects conform to the community plan."
— December 10, 2008 2:05 p.m.