PRC MIN 1976-07-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TO : Parks & Recreation Commission FROM : Open Space Committee , Chairman Aldrich DATE : July 5 , 1976 SUBJECT : REVIEW OF COUNTY TRAIL SYSTEM - FARM HILL HIGH SCHOOL SITE The Open Space Committee met on July 5 , 1976 . Those present were Commissioners Aldrich , Pound , and Weintraub . The Committee met to review the relationship of the Farm Hill high school site currently owned by the Sequoia High School District and the master plan for County of San Mateo Trail System as defined in the Parks and Open Space Element of their general plan . This matter was called to the Commission ' s attention by a letter received from Ms . Isabel F . Sewell , 399 Menlo Oaks Drive , Menlo Park , California . Ms . Sewell is an active member in the local Sierra Club together with other conservation groups . Ms . Sewell feels that various trail cor- ridors from Stulsaft Park to the Farm Hill site should be obtained in order that the County Master Plan for Trails would connect with the Stulsaft Park . The Committee reviewed the Commission ' s concern of this proposal which was rather thoroughly studied and reported on in August of 1975 . This matter was under discussion at that time relative to the proposed sale of the high school site and how this sale might involve the preservation of open space at the site . The Committee also reviewed the Parks and Open Space Plan of the San Mateo County General Plan with regard to the proposed trail system . Upon conclusion of the review , the Committee reaffirmed their earlier concern about the use of Stulsaft Park as a trail head for a county-wide trail system . There continues to be con - cern that this would invite increased traffic and use of the Stulsaft Park which could result in an adverse impact on the local park . It was felt that trail heads to the county-wide trail system should be provided in the regional areas . Additionally , the Committee felt that the priority for the expenditure of funds for any additional park area should be for expanding neighborhood park areas and providing additional park areas rather than for purchasing trail corridors . It was also pointed out that narrow trail corridors in a municipal setting often results in problems of surveillance , vandalism , and misuse which complicates the compatibility with adjacent property owners . This is evidence by the fact that the City has abandoned many small access corridors throughout the city where these problems have existed . The Committee recommends no action be taken relative to this proposal and has requested the staff to so indicate to Ms . Sewell . This will be accomplished after the Commission has considered the matter at their August meeting . -7 -