The general plan process for CRSP has turned out to be
disappointing for a number of South Skyline residents. The plan
being prepared by the staff of the State Parks Department is indeed
GENERAL, very general. It will not conclusively resolve several
issues of great concern to many of us. It will not prohibit
mountain bikes, for example. Neither will it specify which
trails are to open to use by equestrians. It may only
"recommend" that only "low-impact" rock climbing be allowed,
without specifying the details of what "low-impact" really
means.
The General Plan is intended to be the highest level in a series of
plans for managing the Park. It provides an overall umbrella
establishing the character of the Park and generally the uses to
which the lands within it may be put. It will likely recommend
location of Park headquarters, parking, and other improvements.
But, it will allow for a great deal of flexibility by local park
managers in making specific decisions. Further, many subsidiary
plans will be needed to deal with specific issues such as
natural resource preservation, trail location and use,
regulation of rock climbing, etc.
The State Parks Department planning staff has been working for almost
three years to prepare their recommendations for the General Plan.
The process will culminate when these are presented to the State
Parks Commission later in 1998. Adoption of the Plan by the
Commission will put it in place and allow more detailed
subsidiary plans dealing with specific issues such as trail
locations and use to be developed.
The planning staff has frequently sought input from both the
citizens advisory committee and the public at large during this
process. The committee comprises representatives of a variety
of interests and has met generally monthly with the planning
staff to discuss issues and possible resolutions.
Two public meetings have been held to solicit input from the
public at large. A third and final set of meetings is scheduled
for the week of January 12, 1998. These meetings will present the
General Plan recommended by staff and will be the last
opportunity for public input. This time two meetings will be
held, one being in Santa Cruz County for the convenience of
residents there. Please mark your calendars with the following
tentative dates and times. But please check this SSA website (www.southskyline.org) or the telephone message at (408) 395-6543 to
confirm dates, times, and places.
January 15, Thursday, Zayante Fire Station, 6:00 PM
January 16, Friday, Saratoga Library, 7:00 PM
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Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale near West Valley College |
