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Our meeting with Kevin Thomas the Director of County Parks

      On May 7^th everyone's schedule finally came together and several members of the mountain biking community were able to meet with Kevin Thomas, the director of Orange County Harbors Beaches and Parks.  This is actually the second time we have met but the first meeting was more of an introductory type meeting and this time we wanted to address our concerns.

      I was there to represent SHARE Mountain Bike Club and others in attendance were, Jane Lemonds representing SHARE Mountain Bike Club, Alice Danta representing The Trail Angels mountain bike club, Chris Vargas representing The Warriors Society mountain bike club, Shidan Towfiq, representing the Warrior's Society mountain bike club and writer for BIKE Magazine, Chuck Densford owner of Rainbow Bicycle Company and member of the RADS mountain bike club, Chris DeStephano from Shimano, Jim Meyer of Trails4All and Joe Lopez representing Billy Goat Racing (BGR) mountain bike club and the Warrior's Society.

      The meeting started late so we were immediately pressured for time, which I think had a negative affect on the process.  Our discussion covered the following issues:

1. Establishment of a Recreation Park

      This first issue is one that has been discussed with County officials on multiple levels over the past few years.  There are mountain bikers in OC that prefer the more extreme aspect of the sport.  This type of activity is not conducive to the "multi-use" designation of the trial systems in our county parks, which often results in the use of unauthorized trails or complaints from hikers and equestrians.  One solution would be to build a mountain bike park specifically for this type of riding.

      Kevin's comments on this issue we positive and supportive.  He agrees that there is a need for a location for more competitive type riding.  Several areas have been looked into including some of the recently donated Irvine property and the also the Prima Derescha area.  Chris Vargas mentioned the Baker Ranch property near Blackstar and this seemed like a viable possibility.  What may have to happen is that land owned by the County would be leased to a private concessionaire to operate the park.  In other words it is doubtful that the county would manage a park of this nature but, they may be willing to provide the land.

      Kevin encouraged us to find a location that would be suitable first, then try to get support from our County Supervisors and their staff.  I will be following up on this.

Jim Meyer suggested that perhaps the County should reevaluate its practice of automatically giving land transfer easements – a designation that excludes certain activities.

      Kevin encouraged us to let the elected officials know what we want and why it is important to them.  They are there to provide resolve to issues based on a constituency.  He also pointed out that on a recent crackdown of illegal activity in County Parks, the riders who were cited were of the middle age "voting" variety.

2. Connector Trails

      On this subject it was pointed out that the gates between Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (LCWP) and Crystal Cove State Park will be open every Saturday and Sunday starting on June 1^st.  This is something that I have been lobbying for with both the County and State parks managers for a long time and it is an indication that they are listening to our needs.

      There is also a need for a connector trail between Also/Wood and LCWP.  I suggested that the most appropriate trail would be the current unauthorized trail that starts at the top of the Cholla trail and drops to El Toro Road near the toll road.  There is a problem of riders crossing the highway but at least there is a light at the intersection of El Toro and Laguna Canyon Road that could be used.

      Kevin pointed out that the county is exploring the need for a connector trail and this (Cholla extension) is one option that is being looked at.  They are currently looking into the legalities and logistics of such a trail.

      Jim Meyer pointed out that the City of Laguna Beach has now opened the Stair Steps trail and have put it on the local map.  This trail does provide connection between the two parks but (in my opinion) could not be considered a multi-use trail.

3. UTAP

      Jim Meyer presented samples of the new Universal Trail Assessment Project (UTAP), which is a system of rating trails that is being developed by multiuse groups.  It is a system that could be used on maps and trail markers to let users know the level of difficulty and other information about the trail.

      It was noted that the sample trail he provided was a "bikes prohibited" trail and I asked if he could use another sample.  Perhaps one, which showed access for all groups would be more appropriate and just as effective.  As a side note, I notice that they used the same sample at Supervisor Wilson's Trail Summit last week.

      UTAP looks like a good project and I am in support of it.

4. Process for planning trial work

      I pointed out to Kevin that the mountain bike community has demonstrated the fact that they can be a great resource to the County Park system by providing free trail maintenance and repair.  The problem is the arduous process of getting approvals for our projects.  In one case I pointed out, it took SHARE a year to get the approvals for a project that took only three hours to complete.  People want to help and are willing to volunteer their time but are stifled by the approval process.

      Kevin's response was that I was preaching to the choir.  He is in full agreement but it seems that nothing can be done to cut though the red tape.  The county is required by the California Environmental Quality Act to provide an analysis of the possible impacts on endangered species, watershed, archeological sites etc.  These reports and proposals take time and that is not going to change.  It was pointed out the simple trail maintenance does not have these requirements and Jim Meyer offered to help with future projects.  SHARE will definitely take him up on that offer.

5. Non-competitive events in County Parks

      I pointed out to Kevin that there is a huge potential for mountain biker education by having non-competitive events in the County Parks.  The recent El Moro Poker Ride is one good example; an opportunity to make contact with hundreds of local mountain bikers and give out information about advocacy and trail issues.

      Kevin stated that the rangers in county are stretched very thin and planning events in their parks puts a lot pressure on them and increases their workload.  He is not against the idea though and suggested that we start by planning events far in advance and establishing a good relationship with park staff.  He also pointed out: when negotiating with the rangers, be sure to point out the advantages and positive impacts that these events promote.

6. Defibrillators for Park Rangers

      The recent death of local mountain biker, Chuck Geiger, in LCWP reminded us that having defibrillators available to park rangers could save lives.  Kevin pointed out the state of the County budget right now and commented that even though is a good idea the funding for them, in addition to the training and maintenance, is not available.  Alice Danta suggested that this could be something to plan a fund raising event for.  I agreed.  It should be mentioned that even if the rangers at LCWP had access to a defibrillator they probably could not have saved Chuck, however, in some cases it would be a valuable piece of equipment.

7. Enforcement vs. Education

      I asserted  to Kevin that at our last meeting most of us agreed that there is a need for some type of law enforcement in County Parks but that enforcement should be partnered with education.  By this I did not mean that we should inform mountain bikers in advance where the Sheriff was going to be conducting surveillance, but rather let the mountain bike community know why the enforcement was taking place.  He misunderstood what I was proposing and the meeting was running very late at this point and I did not have an opportunity to clarify my statements.

      Kevin stated that education is on our shoulders and not the responsibility of the County.  He commented that if laws are being broken, then it is the responsibility of the County to enforce the laws and issue citations.  He also pointed out that recent Internet posting indicated that those who are breaking the law are fully aware and do not care.  Given the opportunity I would disagree with that point.  I have no doubt that many (perhaps most) of the riders using illegal trails or riding at night know that it is against the law but I am not sure many of them know why it is against the law.   I also don't think the Internet is a good place to take samples of mountain biker's attitude to use to judge our group as a whole.  I'm not saying he did this, but I think message boards do not reflect an accurate image of most peoples' attitudes.

8. Casper's Park

      Joe Lopez made some comments regarding opening trails in Casper's Park and I am very sorry but my notes do not accurately reflect this conversation or Kevin's response.  If anyone who was there recorded this more accurately than I did and would be willing to forward it to me I will attached it to this report.  Sorry Joe, this is the point where the carpal tunnel started kicking in.

9. Restrooms

      Alice Danta suggested that there was a need for a port-a-potty in the four corners area of Whiting Ranch.  Ron Slimm, the Whiting Ranch Ranger, will be contacted regarding this.

      I believe this was a productive meeting even though nothing was immediately resolved.   The County is now aware of what our concerns are and has given us some suggestions on how to approach them.  I believe that Kevin Thomas views mountain biking as a legitimate use for the County Parks and trails and that, in itself, is good news for us.  He is willing to work for us but of course has to keep all park users and the general public in mind when making decisions.  I also believe that he will continue to be open to an ongoing dialog to address future concerns.  In other words, I did not get the impression that he was meeting with us just to pacify us.  At the end of the meeting I embarrassed him by giving him a free invitation to a "First Time Mountain Bike Ride" that SHARE was offering.  He claims that he is not a beginner and has had some mountain bike experience.  Maybe we'll be seeing him on the trails soon!

    This story was written by Robin Lemonds with special thanks to Shidan Towfiq for taking such great notes at the meeting.

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