News of the Arroyo
Title: | Plan to join trail bits advances |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2003-06-03 |
Summary: | June 3, 2003 - Plans for connect the trail network from the Arroyo Seco to Eaton Canyon across Altadena are making progress. |
Author: | Becky Oskin, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star News |
Content: | Group of officials, volunteers works on Altadena Crest project ALTADENA -- Possible routes for joining the fragmented Altadena Crest Trail now sport bright knots of orange surveyor\'s tape, a significant step in the years-long effort to create a trail connecting the Arroyo Seco and Eaton Canyon. The progress results from controversy over the gated La Vina site in northwest Altadena. A county audit of the 272-home community, released last year, showed many conditions of approval imposed on the upscale development remained incomplete though all houses have been built including creating new trails to replace those plowed under for La Vina. Seeking advice on restoring and building trails, Jan Takata, assistant division chief of the county\'s Chief Administrative Office, began meeting with community members and other county departments that have a stake in foothill trails. Those discussions evolved into a new partnership called the Altadena Crest Trail Working Group. About 12 to 15 people now meet every two weeks to plot new routes and trade information. \"The county needs an organization like ours because we can be more flexible in our approach and our timing and just getting out and doing things,\' said Glendale attorney Paul Ayers, the group\'s chairman. The working group includes a Rubio Canyon homeowner, a La Vina resident and county employees from the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments, as well as community groups such as the Altadena Foothills Conservancy and Altadena Equestrian Resources. \"There\'s a lot of attention (from the county) that may have been a long time coming, but it\'s happening. We\'re seeing a synergy that\'s not been here before between all the different parties,\' Takata said. Ken Balder, chair of the Altadena Town Council, said he was impressed by the commitment made by the county to restoring trails and meeting with Altadena residents. \"It\'s really unprecedented,\' Balder said. Ayers is an advocate for maintaining access to trails in the west San Gabriel Mountain, and has mapped many historic routes. With a self-professed immunity to poison oak and bee stings, Ayers has helped flag many of the proposed Altadena Crest Trail routes. Ayers said old maps and aerial photographs show the trail may have been continuous until the 1970s. The Altadena Crest Trail now has three intact fragments. The east segment runs between Loma Alta Park and Chaney Trail road; the middle between Skylane Drive and Rubio Canyon; and the west section from Rubio Canyon to Eaton Canyon. \"Our primary goal is to restore the whole trail, and part of that restoration is a trail around La Vina,\' Ayers said. The only county money available now for new routes was set aside for two trails near La Vina, so grants and volunteer work will likely pay for other segments. The gap between the middle and east segments, through Rubio Canyon, is probably closest to completion, Ayers said. The La Vina trails include a route from Loma Alta Park to Sunset Ridge designed so equestrians using the park\'s equestrian ring can avoid traffic on Sunset Ridge Road, now in the final planning stages, and a new trail tentatively planned to skirt the development\'s northern boundary. For more information or to join the Altadena Crest Trail working group, e-mail act@fourpalms.org. -- Becky Oskin can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4451, or by e-mail at becky.oskin@sgvn.com. |
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