Residents Want Trees, Native Plants on New Trail; Not Gazebos

The on Wednesday was presented with feedback from residents on the design of the proposed Las Virgenes Creek Trail, which would extend from De Anza Park north towards the 101 Freeway.

For several months, the city has been collecting input from residents about the new trail, which was originally called for in the city’s Trails Master Plan and the General Plan.

Geoffrey Starns, one among four senior planners who organized two well-attended workshops for residents last November, said most peoples’ concerns were about privacy and protecting wildlife.

“Workshop attendees wanted a multi-use trail, having structures built with natural materials. They wanted it to be a quiet rustic retreat, sensitive to wildlife, and a place where they could be one with nature,” he told the council during his presentation.

Some residents were concerned about how the trails would affect wildlife in the area. Steeplechase neighborhood homeowners had privacy concerns because of the way a nearby hill abuts their property, and there were also questions about dog waste and other animal waste, said Starns.

“The workshop attendees said they wanted natural wood fencing in areas where needed and no fence at all in areas that didn’t need a fence. As far as seating goes, residents wished for wood benches and picnic tables which would fit in better with the surroundings, compared with metal benches,” said Starns.

For shade structures, residents reported wanting natural shade provided by the trees.

“If we had to have shade structures, they wanted it to be non-intrusive and natural looking,” said Starns, adding, “People had very little interest in having large features like gazebos on the trail. Also, it was very clear that there was very little desire to have public art on the trail. Most people thought that nature is art and should be treated as such.”

Residents advised the use of lighting only where needed, and hoped the city would make sure that the lights were not disruptive to wildlife using the creek. The strongest opinion people had about the trail, according to Starns, was with regard to the landscaping.

“People said the landscape should be natural—with native, indigenous plants," he said.

Maureen Tamuri, the city’s community development director, noted that several communities were not well-represented at the workshops. That included businesses and commercial property owners near the creek, residential communities to the east of the creek and the

In the staff report presented to the city council, Tamuri noted: “These stakeholders have the potential to greatly benefit from the proposed Las Virgenes Creek Trail, and it is hoped that their comments can be received in the future.”

Councilman James Bozajian said it was imperative for community members to participate in the process of building the trail so that they didn’t have complaint about it later.

“I am going to more sympathetic to them if they come now and air their opinions…It will be difficult to tear up stuff that we put there (at the trail) later,” he said.

Councilwoman Mary Sue Maurer suggested approaching residents in Archstone Apartments and the eastern part of community through automated telephone messages.

Over the next few months, planners will be reaching out directly and soliciting opinions from property owners adjacent to the creek.