Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) has released the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Draft Master Plan. Members of the public are invited to learn about and study the Draft Plan recommendations in preparation for an upcoming public hearing.
The meeting will be an informal event where members of the project team will be present to answer your questions. This is an opportunity to preview the Plan and provide early input.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ana Ruiz, Project Planner, at or (650) 691-1200.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Mountain Terrace
17285 Skyline Boulevard
Woodside, California 94062
(At the corner of Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Woodside Road (Highway 84), across the street from Alice’s Restaurant)
About the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve (from MROSD)
The 2,056-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, considered by many as a gateway to the San Mateo coast, features forests of redwood and Douglas fir, contrasting open grassland hilltops, and spectacular panoramic views leading to the coast. This Preserve’s potential has only just begun to be scratched as historically only a portion of the preserve has been open to hikers and equestrians on a permit basis.
In July 2004, the District and a team of consultants kicked off the master planning process for this Preserve with an on-site meeting to review the scope of work, schedule, and budget for this project. Through the master planning process, the District aims to provide the public with greater opportunities for recreation access, interpretation, and education, while protecting the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the landscape. The District will develop a long-term vision for the Preserve and address opportunities for access and regional trail connectivity, species and habitat protection, safety concerns, and maintenance issues, among others. District staff and consultants will also continue to actively solicit and encourage community involvement from various agencies, non-profit organizations, neighbors, and constituents with an interest in the planning process.
I’m enthused about this plan almost completely…. I say almost because there has been an historical use of this preserve in the lower(Driscoll Ranch, directly across from the town of La Honda) area for many years by bicyclists. The current Midpen plan excludes bicycles entirely from this preserve….. These are Ranch roads almost entirely on the lower flanks of this preserve, extremely wide vehicle roads with excellent lines of sight. Even many of the Equestrians and hikers participating in the Master plan meetings I’ve attended have stated that this lower area is appropriate for shared use by all trails recreational groups.
Midpen has promoted this Preserve as the “gateway” to the San Mateo coast, and on this side of the hill I’d hate to see the turf wars seen on the bay side between trails users extended by Midpen’s excessively restrictive policies.