Archive for the ‘Advocacy’ Category

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Third Public Meeting for Topanga State Park General Plan on June 14th

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

California State Parks is inviting the public to the third public meeting for the Topanga State Park General Plan. The purpose of this meeting is to present the single (preferred) plan and support materials. After the presentation, the General Plan team, comprised of CSP landscape architects environmental scientists, historians, archaeologists and park staff will be available to discuss this preferred plan. The single plan was developed with the input received at the first and second public meetings held in September 2009 and July 2010.

Following the third public meeting, the General Plan team will prepare the preliminary General Plan which will then be available for public review and comment as per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process.

After the completion of the CEQA process, the General Plan Document will be presented to the California Parks and Recreation Commission which will entail a public hearing process including additional opportunity for public comment.

A General Plan is mandated for state parks units by the Public Resources Code. The plan becomes the primary management document for a unit of the State Park System, establishing its purpose and management direction for the future. The plan does not provide specific physical designs but does provide a vision for the park and guidelines for future development.

Meeting location:

June 14, 2011 (Tuesday)

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Stewart Hall @ Temescal Gateway Park

Sunset Blvd. & Temescal Canyon Road

Pacific Palisades

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Posted in Advocacy, Environment, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | 1 Comment »

Topanga State Park General Plan Meeting #3

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

California State Parks is holding its third public meeting to determine the new general plan for Topanga State Park on June 14 at Temescal Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades. Mountain bikers who use Topanga State Park and surrounding trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting and comment on the plan. For details click here Scan 4.

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Posted in Advocacy, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | Comments Closed

CORBA/IMBA Affiliation Update

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

A few months ago we told you about our decision to partner with the International Mountain Bicycle Association’s (IMBA) chapter program. The process is complete, and we are happy to announce that the transition is going very well. However, there are still a few things that were unforeseen, one of them being the renewal process.

Many CORBA members have recently received a renewal notice from IMBA, which may be confusing. This is because your CORBA membership automatically became an IMBA membership when we made the transition. No problem! Simply renew your new IMBA membership and select CORBA as your local chapter each time you renew. From now on when you renew, you will renew both your IMBA and CORBA membership at the same time, with everything being handled by IMBA. If renewing by telephone, please make sure to indicate CORBA as your local chapter.

We encourage you to continue to make donations directly to CORBA to help support our local efforts of advocacy, trail building and maintenance, free monthly mountain bike skills classes, Youth Adventures at-risk youth outings, Kids Club, and our web site www.corbamtb.com. CORBA still receives a percentage of membership dues though through this affiliation with IMBA, but dues alone can not support our programs entirely. Our Trail Crew requires annual tool purchases, and Youth Adventures is in constant need of bikes, parts, and helmets, as well as snacks for participants because many of these kids can not even afford a granola bar for themselves or come to the outing without having had breakfast. Other costs include licensing and insurance for our trailers and ride programs. It adds up! Click here to go directly to our donation page. http://www.corbamtb.com/join/donate.shtml Thank you for your support in helping us keep trails open to bicycles!

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Posted in Advocacy, CORBA News, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Angeles National Forest Trails to Open May 16, 2011

Friday, May 13th, 2011

The two questions we have been asked more than any other recently: “which trails are closed in the Angeles National Forest?  and “which trails are open in the Angeles National Forest?”

According to the Forest Service map of the station fire closure area at http://maps.fs.fed.us/stationfire/ the list below shows the status, effective May 16 2011, of some of the more popular trails that were affected by the Station Fire. Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the newly opened areas of the forest, the individual trails may be signed closed.  Please respect any trail closure signs and stay off those trails for your own safety and the recovery of the forest.

Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, slides, washouts, ruts, and other hazards. Many trails have been drastically changed from before the Station Fire. Many fire roads have not yet been graded and may be much narrower and in very poor condition with ruts and washouts. All the usual caveats about trail safety apply so use the trails safely and responsibly, and be especially careful the first time you travel on one of the newly opened trails.

Opened Trails (As of May 16, 2011 – Updated July 31, 2011) – 

  • Brown Mountain (to the saddle)
  • El Prieto
  • Gabrielino (JPL to Paul Little)
  • Gabrielino (Switzers to Redbox to Chantry)
  • Bear Canyon Trail
  • Sam Merrill Trail
  • Castle Canyon Trail
  • Sunset Ridge Trail
  • Mt. Lowe West Trail
  • Idlehour Trail
  • Kenyon Devore Trail
  • Rim Trail
  • Sturtevant Trail
  • Santa Clara Divide Truck Trail (Dillon Divide to Mt. Gleason to Three Points – non-motorized only)
  • Chilao Loop/Mt. Hillyer
  • Silver Mocassin
  • Shortcut
  • Valley forge
  • Mt. Lukens road (once the highway opens)
  • Earl Canyon
  • Haines Canyon
  • Mt Lukens Fire Road (as of June 3 opening of Angeles Crest Highway)
  • Graveyard Truck Trail
  • Grizzly Flat Fire Road
  • Doc Larsen
  • Everything east of Chilao

Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the opened area, the individual trails may be signed closed (And those signs mustl be respected). Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, massive ruts or slides, washouts, and other hazards.

Closed Trails (Until Further Notice)

  • Strawberry Peak
  • Tom Sloan
  • Dawn Mine
  • Millard Falls
  • Upper Brown Mountain (Saddle to the Summit/Ken Burton)
  • Ken Burton
  • Gabrielino from Switzers to Paul Little
  • Hoyt
  • Stone Canyon
  • Crescenta View
  • Rim of the Valley
  • Condor Peak Trail
  • Trail Canyon
  • Alder Creek
  • Colby Canyon
  • Josephine
  • Mueller Tunnel
  • Vetter Mountain

In addition to the above a separate closure remains in effect for the Williamson Rock area  (Closure Map is available).

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, Trail Access | 4 Comments »

Crest to Coast Trail Public Meeting, Santa Clarita, June 8

Friday, May 13th, 2011
If you live or ride in or around Santa Clarita the Coast to Crest trail should be on your radar.  The trail is envisioned as multi-use route from Magic Mountain in the eastern Angeles National Forest to the coast in Ventura County.  It is envisioned running along the northern slopes of the ANF, across the 5 and 14 to Santa Clarita Woodlands parks and eventually out through the Newhall Ranch property where it will meet the Ventura County line.
It is hoped that Ventura County trail advocates will continue the route all the way to the ocean. To ease the process the route may link several existing natural-surface routes include fire roads, service roads, and trails.
There is a public workshop on Wed. June 8, 6:30-8:30 Santa Clarita Sports Complex. 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, 91350. Learn about the vision for this project, the scope and possible routes. The team working on this project needs to hear from the public as to what type of trail this should be. While CORBA and IMBA representatives are involved in the process, the more off-road cyclists that can show their support for this visionary trail, the better off we will be.
We look forward to seeing you on June 8.

Posted in Advocacy, Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains | 1 Comment »

Angeles National Forest Opens Some Trails

Friday, May 13th, 2011

News Release
USDA Forest Service
Angeles National Forest

May 12, 2011
ANF-06-2011 Angeles National Forest
701 N. Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sherry Rollman or
John D. Wagner at (626) 574-5208

Angeles National Forest Reopens About Half of Closed Areas

ARCADIA, Calif.—In a major step forward, effective May 16, the Angeles National Forest will reopen about half of the areas that have been closed due to the Station Fire.

The reopening of about 98,000 acres in the Forest’s northern, southern and eastern areas will offer the public recreational opportunities including hiking, picnicking and camping in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Over 100 miles of hiking trails are being reopened as well as popular campgrounds. Specific areas include Indian Canyon Trailhead, Charlton Flat Picnic Area, Gould Mesa Campground, Bear Canyon Trail, Paul Little Picnic Area, Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area, Silver Moccasin Trail, Nature’s Canteen Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail, and the entire San Gabriel Wilderness area. The portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the Forest will reopen as well, with some minor reroutes.

The reopening is the result of a recovery strategy that includes community volunteers and partner organizations working alongside the Forest Service to remove invasive weeds, help plant trees, and restore trails so the public can once again access some of the areas impacted. Their support and involvement has allowed the Forest to implement repairs and reopen these areas in a manner that addresses public safety and ecological recovery.

The remaining portion of the burned area that is primarily within Big Tujunga Canyon will remain closed until further notice, as it requires additional recovery time. This area was recently designated a “Treasured Landscape” by the National Forest Foundation and efforts are underway to allow for species recovery and implementing sustainable recreational opportunities.

Please visit the Angeles National Forest website for a map of the areas now open.

Posted in Angeles National Forest, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Voice Your Support of Trails TODAY!

Thursday, May 12th, 2011
FROM THE CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION:

Our partners at America Bikes just found out late last night that the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee is deciding what goes into the next federal transportation bill today and tomorrow.

We need every advocate in California to take action TODAY!

If we don’t act now, dedicated funding for biking and walking programs may be written out of our transportation system for the next six years.

Senator Barbara Boxer is the chair of this committee and we need you to get word to her in every way and medium possible TODAY that we’re counting on her continued support for dedicated funding for biking and walking.

In every media interview related to Bike to Work Week, please be sure to thank the Senator for her continued support for dedicated funding for biking and walking, specifically Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program.

In addition, we ask that you alert all your members and supporters as soon as possible, urging them to call the Senator’s office today. Please use the message below.

Our apologies for hitting you on a day when you’re already very busy, but we just learned of this after 10 p.m. last night and with all the media being generated about Bike to Work Week this is a great opportunity for maximum impact. Again, we can’t stress the urgency enough: To preserve dedicated funding for biking and walking in next transportation bill we need California to get Sen. Boxer to take action today.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (916) 446-7558 or dave@calbike.org.

Dave Snyder

Relaunch Director/CEO
_________________________________________________________________________

Senator Barbara Boxer needs to hear from you RIGHT NOW.

The committee she leads in the US Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee, is deciding what goes into the very important federal transportation bill today and tomorrow. She needs to know that we want her to fight for bicycling and walking programs like Transportation Enhancements (the federal funding sources that helps pay for bicycling and walking facilities and programs throughout California), Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program.

If we don’t act now, bicycling and walking programs may be written out of our transportation system for the next six years.

At this very moment, she is negotiating with other senators who don’t think bicycling and walking are an important part of the transportation bill. She needs to know that we have her back on this issue and she shouldn’t give up on these crucial programs.

Call Senator Boxer right now and tell her:

“I am one of your constituents and I think bicycling and walking need to be a part of the transportation bill. Please ensure that Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program continue with strong and dedicated funding as they are today.”

Calls to DC are best. Her Washington, DC office number: (202) 224-3553. If it’s busy and you’re short for time, here’s her LA office number: (213) 894-5000.

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Posted in Advocacy, California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | Comments Closed

LA Kids 13-18: Take Pictures of Nature, Win Prizes!

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Posted in Advocacy | Comments Closed

Thousand Oaks Needs a Bike Park

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

By Mark Langton

If a demonstrated need in the community is the main criteria for building a bike park (pump track, jumps, skills area), then the City of Thousand Oaks should be at the top of the list. Jumps and mini-pump tracks are all over the place, yet they keep getting bulldozed because the community has not supported the youth who are putting in the effort to do something constructive. THE TIME IS NOW!

Unidentified jumps in Newbury Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is of course my local perspective because I see kids every day on mountain bikes and BMX bikes riding around our neighborhoods, trails, and yes, unauthorized dirt jumps. And I know a lot of parents who’s teenage kids go riding with them. I bet you know people just like that in your neighborhood.

The Socal High School Cycling League built a pump track in Riverside recently with CORBA’s help. The city of Glendale is considering a bike park and pump track in their trails master plan. There are parks and tracks all over the state. IMBA has had success in several cities including New York, Seattle, and Golden, Colorado. We’re not reinventing the wheel. Click here for the the Bring the Riding To the People project.

A bike park can be as simple as a pump track (rollers, bermed turns, table top and gap jumps), but can also include skill test features similar to what might be found on a trail. A supervised environment similar to a skate park, the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) already has an infrastructure to deal with this kind of  facility. Bike parks encourage volunteerism and stewardship. They provide an area for adult mountain bikers wanting to improve their skills and also help their kids learn, and an athletic/exercise outlet for youth who do not participate in team sports. And they’re just plain fun! Not only that, they do not require the same kind of space, materials, or costs associated with ball fields or other conventional recreational facilities.

Watch a video of the Stowe Bike Park pump track in action.

Representatives from CORBA have discussed the possibility of a bike park with the CRPD. CRPD managers are amenable to the idea, but stress that the only way something can be done is through community support and commitment. This would require attendance at CRPD board meetings by kids as well as parents and other interested parties to provide testimony and petitions, and other community support (such as bike shops, YMCA, teen centers, schools, etc); not to mention supporting testimony from such organizations as CORBA citing the success of tracks and parks in other cities. This process typically takes 3-5 years, so strong parental involvement is key. Again, CRPD is open to the idea and there are several possible locations, we just need community involvement! We could also use people with expertise in landscape architecture.

The author circa 1972.

If you are interested in becoming part of a team to bring a pump track to Thousand Oaks, please get in touch with us at volunteer@corbamtb.com .

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Posted in Advocacy, Conejo Valley, Health, Uncategorized, Youth | 1 Comment »

Bike Park Project Introduced to Glendale Commission

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Monday afternoon, April 18, 2011 at 2:30pm was the monthly meeting of the City of Glendale, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission. CORBA’s Steve Messer spoke during the Oral Communications period of the meeting. The Commission were introduced by Messer to the Glendale Bike Skills Park project.

The Bike Skills Park wasn’t an agenda item, and oral communications are limited to five minutes for each speaker. After Messer made his quick presentation several questions were asked by the commissioners. They were surprised that there isn’t any other bike park in Southern California. They were also surprised that there are four High School teams using Glendale trails for training.

More questions followed about the land requirement and how this proposal dovetails with the Safe and Healthy Streets Plan, which was to go before City Council the following day, Tuesday, April 19 (see below).  The Safe and Healthy Streets Plan has been developed by Colin Bogart of the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition in partnership with the City of Glendale, under a grant from the County of Los Angeles. It includes a recommendation for a Bike Skills Park in its educational section.

Even though this was not an agenda item, Jess Duran, Director of the City’s Community Services and Parks Department made the recommendation “for the department to do a quick feasibility analysis, to put a group together including Colin Bogart and see what the feasibility might be.”  He also added, “I can tell you that now is not a good time to be requesting new projects given the challenges of the budget and the staff resources, but we could do a quick feasibility analysis. I’d also like to get some background from staff to what extent we’ve evaluated this type of project before.”

(more…)

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Posted in Advocacy, High School League, Verdugo Mountains, Youth | Comments Closed

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