[MultiUseTrails] Closure of Deer Canyon, 12/12/09
From:
multiusetrails@yahoogroups.com on behalf of ebasil2001 (
EBasil@aol.com)
Sent: Fri 12/12/08 3:28 PM
To:
MultiUseTrails@yahoogroups.comYou may already know, or this may come as a surprise, but I'm sure it's
shocking either way: today, on December 12th, Ranger Washington
installed trail closure signs on very single trail that's on or crosses
City land in and around Deer Canyon. This is at the direction of Chris
Zirkle, Deputy Director of Parks, Open Space Division-- the head honcho
at Open Space.
This morning, I received a call from Mr. Zirkle and City Trails
Coordinator Rick Thompson, and they informed me that Gina was out
installing the signs, for the purpose of closing all trails to
"recreational users". The only trails not closed are either those not
on City land or the SDGE fire road. According to Mr. Zirkle, his
division's duyt to maintain and protect the resources in the MSCP area
can only be served by a full and complete trail closure. Zirkle claims
this action is "not punitive" but that if trail users don't abide by the
edict, that this will show that the whole area should be closed forever.
The discussions went much further, although I unfortunately had very
limited time. I pleaded with Rick and Chris not to do this, and asked
them why they would declare war on the very people that both informed
them of the vandalism on Tunnel 5 and that are volunteering to help them
patrol and preserve the area. "Why make 100 enemies when you could
reach out and make 1000 allies?" I asked. I offered, if they would
forego the closure, to assemble a trail patrol with BSA insurance (we'll
form an Explorer Troop) and have it in place by Monday. I asked how
they intend to ever enforce such a ban, and suggested that their only
answer must be "people on the ground". I offered that, whoever would be
on the ground to enforce closures could be on the ground to seek/pursue
the vandals AND could be working with 50 trail stewards by next week.
Zirkle's reply is that he'd like us to form the patrol so that we can
help enforce the closures. I'm deeply frustrated, offended and
dismayed. I feel as though the broader reaction by the trails community
will be of disgust and that those of us that have worked with the City,
sought and encouraged others to work with the system, will be tarnished
and discredited for having trusted Administrators with such defective
judgement and aggresive leanings. Don't be fooled: the opponents of
Multiuse just Won a Huge Freebie. You're a criminal now, and the real
criminals aren't even on their radar: Chris Zirkle and Rick told me
they "have no reason at all to believe the vandalism was by
equestrians." IF you stay off the trails, this proves that vandalism
works. If you don't stay off the trails, this proves that you should be
banned from them. Brilliant.
