Happy Trails

This morning Emily and I spoke with Katie Everett, Caltrans Local Assistance, about Active Transportation Program grants awarded in District 1.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Louisa Morris, Mendocino Land Trust about the Shady Dell Trail project on the northern Mendocino Coast, part of the California Coastal Trail (CCT), and progress on the CCT webapp that the Mendocino Land Trust is developing with the State Coastal Conservancy.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Marcella Clem, the Executive Director of Humboldt County Association of Governments and the recent Active Transportation Funding recommendations for our region.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Pamela Brown about the Arcata Dog Park. At this point a parcel has been identified and they are hoping to have control of it by 2016. At that point fundraising can begin and if all goes according to plan, Acata will join Eureka and Fortuna as cities in Humboldt County that have official dog parks.

This morning Emily and I spoke with April Gray, President of the Great Shasta Rail Trail Association and Ben Miles, Board member and Treasurer of said organization. This is a rails to trails project that has been in the works for the past 10 years between the towns of McCloud and Burney. This is a 50+ mile span. Just recently about 35 miles of this rail trail has opened to the public.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Denise Newman, Senior Planner with NRS and RCAA about the 2nd annual Explore the Coast event taking place on the Hikshari Trail on Sunday September 27th.

This morning I spoke with Dave Hayes, President of the Board of Humboldt Trails Council. We spoke of activities going on at Cooper Gulch in Eureka, also the new beginner mountain bike track at up at Lacks Creek and the plans for developing the full property with a 15 mile mountain bike trail. We also talked about the Eureka Natural Foods Waterfront Run and Walk coming up on the 27th.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Art Reeve, Deputy Director of Humboldt County Public Works about the new Dows Prairie School Trail and the process that led to it. Also new 15 mph school zone speed limits are discussed.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Mary Burke of CalTrout and Friends of the Arcata Marsh. We looked at the School Road Trail in McKinleyville and how restoration and public access don't have to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.

This morning Emily gave an update on the Eureka Waterfront design charrette dealing with public space and walkability in Eureka. We also looked at the Bay Trail and the fact that Arcata is already beginning paving the most northern end. We also looked at the timeline on the Eureka Waterfront Trail and looked down the road to the day when you will be able to ride continuously from the Park and Ride at Elk River Road all the way to Arcata.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Greg Orsini, General Manager of the McKinleyville Community Services District about the creation of the Fischer rance Interpretive Trail and what led to its creation. We also went over the many other trails and parks managed by the CSD.

Today Emily and I spoke with Ashley Taylor, Recreation Coordinator with the City of Eureka Parks and Recreation Department. The will be a full day of free activities for the whole family to enjoy. More info at getoutandplay.com. We also talked about the Eureka Waterfront Trail Project. This will extend what is now the Hikshari Trail fully around the city of Eureka from one end to the other on the waterfront. The projected completion date is 2018. Emily also mentioned that the upcoming Humboldt Bay Marathon is looking for volunteers.

Today Emily and I spoke with Merritt Perry, City Engineer for the City of Fortuna. They have been very busy with safe route to school project throughout the city, working on pedestrian and bicycle safety on the 12th street overpass to get people safely from the city proper to the riverwalk. Plus we have an update on the John Campbell Memorial Greenway project and more.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Greg Pratt, General Manager of Humboldt Transit Authority. They have just added a new rout to Tish Non Village (Bear River). We also talked about that all their busses are now have bike racks for bike/bus commuters. We also looked at their bus stops all being upgraded for ADA compliance.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Rich Baker, Humboldt Bay Marathon Director & Assistant Director, Terry Vromanlittle about this First Annual Humboldt Bay Marathon, Sunday August 9th. A lot of planning has gone into putting this event together. It will be going all around Humboldt Bay and through several communities. For registration and information about the event, go to humboldtbaymarithon.com. Proceeds to benefit Humboldt Trails Projects.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Jen Dalton of North Coast Opportunities and Lake County PICH (Partnership to Improve County Health).

Emily and I discussed the Hit & Run truck vs pedestrian accident that was posted in the Lost Coast Outpost this morning. Our thoughts go out to the 23 year old man who was flown out of the area in critical condition. We also discussed current trails projects and alternate funding sources that California is using for such projects.

Emily and I spoke with Sheila Parrot and other city engineer's about Eureka's new public safety campaign. You have probably seen posters and banners all over town. It is part of a large effort to reduce pedestrian vs vehicle accidents in the City. In past years, Eureka has had a much higher than normal rate of these types of accidents for it's population size. This campaign has is in concert with the reduction of speed limits, new radar signs and new countdown crosswalk signs at all lights within the city.

Emily and I spoke with Neil Davis of Walk & Bike Mendocino. This is a new organization promoting walking and biking for in town commutes of 2 miles or less.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Mark Mueller and Melanie Williams of the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition. We spoke of the many successful events that have happened thus far and all the events still to come.