Happy Trails

This morning Emily and I spoke with Louisa Morris of the Mendocino Land Trust which has been around since 1976 preserving outdoor space in Mendocino county. We spoke of the many easements to the coast and the multiple trails along the Mendocino coast that they manage.

Emily and I spoke with Nancy Correll of the McKinleyville Land Trust. We spoke of the trails along the Mad River Bluffs and soon to be in the Chah-GAH-Cho property.

Today we spoke with Emily Sinkhorn from our live broadcast from Wildberries Marketplace during the Food And Fund Drive to discuss all the different trail programs in the county that you can help monetarily or with your time during this "Giving Tuesday."

Emily and I talk with Lisa Shikany, Principal Planner for the City of Eureka, and Denise Newman of RCAA. We talked about the history of the Palco Marsh, the new interpretive trail efforts and the fact that it will be a spur of the main Eureka Waterfront Trail.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Joe Gillespie about the 30th anniversary of the Siskiyou Wilderness, a new section of the California Coastal Trail from Front Street to the Harbor in Crescent City and more.

Emily and I talk with Debi Farber-Bush, organizer of Cirque Disco-leil, coming up this Saturday evening, at the Arcata Community Center. It's a big fun fundraiser for the Arcata Ridge Trail.

Cliff and Emily talk with Ben Kageyama, Senior Civil Engineer for the City of Ukiah. Last time we spoke back in 2013 their rail with trail project was just an concept, now it is under construction. Ukiah also deals with the NCRA so we can learn a lot as we move forward with the rail with trail Bay Trail project.

Cliff and Emily talk with Linda Wilson from Eureka City Schools and Melanie Williams of BikeThere.com. Proper safety both in riding and driving past school busses is discussed along with bike and pedestrian safety for young students.

Emily and I talk with Barry Bergman of the Rails To Trails Conservancy about successful Rail With Trail projects around the country especially here in California.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Miles Slattery, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Eureka. We discussed the recent funding acquisition from various sources. The entire trail skirting the waterfront of the city of Eureka from the Park N Ride at Herrick/Elk River Road to Tidd Street at the north end of town, a contiguous 6.5 miles of class one trail could be complete by 2016. This only leaves the small section of space between Eureka and Bracut Center to be funded. Granted, that will be the most expensive section as it will be rail with trail and quite narrow. But if all goes well, it won't be long before you can can on a trail from the Park N Ride at Herrick/Elk River Road all the way to Arcata.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Denise Newman of RCAA about a whole slough of events coming to the Hikshari Trail along Eureka's waterfront. Plus the Governor does not sign SB1151 which would have increased traffic fines in school zones.

The 3 foot passing law that was passed earlier this year, went into effect today adding a new layer of safety to all bike commuters. We also talked about SB1151, a bill that is now on the Governor's desk waiting to be signed. The law would increase traffic fines in school zones. Most of the time today was spent with Carol Van der Meer of Friends of the Dunes about all the various trail opportunities that exist in the Manila Dunes.

This morning I spoke with Tim Daniels of the Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association about the upcoming work day for the Paradise Royale Trail September 27th. In addition to doing good, all workers will be entered into a raffle to win gift certificates from Revolution Bicycle Repair, Adventures Edge and Underground Bicycle Repair.

Cliff and Emily talk with TC Comet of the HSU Sustainability Office about a couple of innovative programs they have implemented. Zipcar is a short-term car rental program. Zimride, now in it's second year of existence is a student ridesharing program where students can post their availability with a car or desire for a ride.

Emily and I talk about the transportation funding that was just announced to go to the Humboldt Bay Trail, Eureka Waterfront Trail and others including additional funding for more safe routes to school projects. Also Maureen McGarry talks about the R.S.V.P. program, volunteering and trail steward opportunities.

Cliff and Emily talk with Karen Diemer about the fact that the California Transportation Commission staff has made the recommendation that funding for the northern portion of the Bay Trail be funded from the Arcata Skate Park all the way to Bracut Center. The vote will take place tomorrow. If this goes through, it bodes well for future funding for the entire project.

Emly and Cliff talk with Mark Andre about the Arcata Ridge trail, and the fact that it is close to completion. We explore what is left and the long journey and the process it took to get there. This trail was done mostly with support from community efforts and not public funding.

Cliff and Emily talk with Jasmin Sequra about "Baykeeper's Bay Explorations" exploring Humboldt Bay on boats, kayaks and from trails. More info at humboldtbaykeeper.org

Cliff and Emily talk with Chris Carterette of the San Diego Association of Governments about the Coast Rail Trail, funding and other projects in their community. Carterette also used to be the City Planner for Fort Bragg and compares trails work in Northern vs Southern California. We also discuss the current repaving project on the Safety Corridor between Eureka and Arcata in which the shoulders are being laid down with a brick red pigmentation.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Don Allan of the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust about trails in the Trinidad area, the Little River Trail and where we stand with this uncontested project.