”
We would like to know why Harvey Bear Ranch Park walking trail
on San Martin Avenue does not allow people to walk on the trail
until 8 a.m.? We were told by one ranger that it was OK to park
outside the gate and walk in and then told by another on a
different day that we were going to be cited for entering the park
before 8 a.m. To make the park useful to people who work it would
need to be open before 8 a.m. to allow people time to get to work
in the morning. The gates do not need to be opened for people to
walk before 8 a.m. The rangers can open the gates for people to
drive in at 8 a.m. What happened to ‘open from Sunrise to Sunset’
as many other parks? What can we do to change this?
”
Rangers should allow walkers, hikers in before 8 a.m.
“We would like to know why Harvey Bear Ranch Park walking trail on San Martin Avenue does not allow people to walk on the trail until 8 a.m.? We were told by one ranger that it was OK to park outside the gate and walk in and then told by another on a different day that we were going to be cited for entering the park before 8 a.m. To make the park useful to people who work it would need to be open before 8 a.m. to allow people time to get to work in the morning. The gates do not need to be opened for people to walk before 8 a.m. The rangers can open the gates for people to drive in at 8 a.m. What happened to ‘open from Sunrise to Sunset’ as many other parks? What can we do to change this?”
Red Phone:
Dear Walker, Red Phone contacted the Santa Clara County Parks Department, and Matthew J. Anderson, chief park ranger, responded. He said the parks department’s trail use policy is “sunrise to sunset.” Trail use under this policy will include all regularly permitted trail specific activities, i.e. hiking, running, horseback riding and mountain biking. Other park activities such as picnicking, hang gliding, motorcycle riding, fishing and boating will not be permitted. This applies to all parks including Harvey Bear. This is primarily walk or ride in traffic since the gates will not be opened until 8 a.m.
“I am not sure what caused the confusion in the field but I will follow up with staff,” he said. So good caller, try taking a walk, and if the ranger gives you any guff, relay what Anderson said, then give Red Phone a call.
Trail is a real mess
“The problem we’re encountering is walking at Christmas Hill Park. In the middle of the wet season, some fellows moved dirt around and wrecked the trail along the south side of the creek, east of the amphitheater. I was wondering if there’s anybody who can smooth it out a little bit. It’s a real ankle breaker and a liability to the city. This is Ms. Wondering.”
Red Phone:
Dear Ms. Wondering, Red Phone contacted Operations Services Manager Carla Ruigh, who said a problem has developed with storm run-off in that area causing erosion.
“The area was disturbed when staff had to take immediate steps to re-direct the storm run-off during the rainy season while things were still muddy,” Ruigh said. “This was done to reduce creek bank erosion. The city’s engineering staff are looking at a long-term solution. This is not a designated/maintained city trail, but is graded in July to accommodate foot traffic from the Garlic Festival Parking lot.”
So good caller, check back with Red Phone if the problem is not fixed soon.
It’s a plane, it’s a …
“You guys may already be on this. I remember seeing a story in the Dispatch a few months ago about an old plane that they are restoring at the San Martin airport. Well the other day I saw it flying over my house in Gilroy.”
Red Phone:
Dear Saw it, the plane you saw flying over your house was not the plane featured in a November 2007 story. Red Phone contacted the owner of the B-25 Mitchell Bomber parked at the South County airport, and he said it has not moved more than a few yards in several months.
“If it was, I wasn’t flying it!” owner Ken McBride said when asked if the plane has been up recently. He is readying a private facility in San Martin so he can restore the plane.
Until then, he runs the engines occasionally and keeps his fingers crossed that skilled volunteers will turn out when it’s time to work on the plane. His aircraft will be showcased, along with two other restored B-25 bombers at a Wings of History open house scheduled for May 10 at the airport.
So good caller, must have been another B-25, or a similar looking plane cruising the skies of Gilroy.
