SOUTHERN CAIFORNIA TRAILSNOV 9 GOLFERS SWING
SOUTHERN CAIFORNIA TRAILSOV 9 GOLFERS SWING AT GOLFERS
R.Cunningham
Orange County mountain bikers have worked together with county and city open space planners to ensure that mountain biking opportunities are included in the greenbelts, wilderness parks, and coastal hills between Costa Mesa, San Juan Capistrano. It is among the most expensive real property in the US, according to those not familiar with the region. The land deals that secured the right for developers to build in the area were often hardfought. One developer has negotiated a deal behind closed doors with the Orange County Planning Commission in order to lease land in Aliso Woods, Aliso Creek Parkstwo of the area’s prime wildlands, in exchange for the right to build an 18-hole development. The trails and habitat will disappear once the fairways are built.
Let’s put an end to this pathetically landsacked land grab!
There are many golf courses in South Orange County. But there are few wild places or places where you can ride a mountainbike. The government is well-versed in the tactics of land grabs and golf course developers are in high places. Many golf courses are sold as buffer zones, open space, and even parks to government officials in order to make it easier for them to manage opposition to these over-fertile waterwasters. Do not buy it! Mountain bikers, and other supporters of open space must stop the expansion of the golf course in its planning stages.
Here is a press release by SHARE, an Orange County-based mountain bike group. It has played a leading role in maintaining and opening riding opportunities.
Montage Resort of Driftwood estates and Aliso Creek Inn Golf Course want to play through?YOUR parkland
If you’ve ever been on vacation, under a rock or riding your bike in the woods, and haven’t heard, the County of Orange and Montage are reportedly making deals to lease open space in Aliso Woods.
Did it sink in?
The LA Times published a story last week about the Montages’ purchase of Aliso Creek Golf Course. It was about their plans to expand it into an 18-hole course. Currently, it is a pitch-and-putt course with 9 holes. The expansion would take place in the Aliso Creek Watershed and in Aliso Woods Regional Park. It is not clear how much open space there will be, as Montage and County of Orange aren’t releasing any details. Supervisor Wilson admits to having met with Montage about this « concept ». Being entertained (some speculate that this is more concrete than entertainment).
The problem is that everyone is aware that Montage is serious about expanding, or else they wouldn’t have bought the pitch and putt. The problem is that information is not flowing as quickly as it seems.
SHARE is a great place to start asking questions.
You must attend this meeting. The Trails Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 15, at Santiago Oaks Regional Park. We will ride in from Albertsons, Jamboree, and Chapman for the meeting. We will meet at 6PM, and we’ll be on the road by 6:30 PM.
The meeting should be attended by two people from the county ranks who might have the firsthand information about the proposed project. Although I don’t expect them to give any information, it is important for them to see a room filled with riders so that they can understand the extent of our concern.
All questions that we ask at the meeting must be related to trails. Do not expect a map or to spar with public officials. It is important that we are polite, courteous, and well-spoken. It would be a good idea to ask questions such as:
Why would the county want a paved road to the beach when it has so much open space? (Trail related)
OR
How many trails will we lose due to the proposed expansion? (Trail related)
OR
Why would the county give away existing and future trails to make way for a paved bike trail and a golf course? (Again, this is trail-related)
You will get the idea. It is important to remember that mountain bikers will be there in large numbers. Bring something to identify you as a rider, such an event t-shirt, IMBA hat, or other clothing. We want to see a lot of cyclists in the room.
Send me a message if you have any questions. I’ll be happy to help. If not, I will see each of you Monday night.
