Subject: Project Update: trail clearance & bridge repair in Pescadero Creek County Park

A 501c3 supporting and promoting equestrian activities

Trail clearance & bridge repair at Pescadero Creek County Park

$30,000 - $50,000 Goal by June 15th

Hi Friend - we would like to update you in our recent progress at Pescadero Creek and County Park

The winter rains and winds have done major damage to the trails and bridges in all the San Mateo County Parks. The Parks staff has been working hard at Wunderlich and Huddart and other parks, to repair them, but they have a huge amount of work to do.

Pescadero Creek County Park, essential for trail riding from Jack Brook Horse Camp, has also been hard hit. Parks Staff was able to get on the West Brook Trail a month ago and discovered damage and downed trees blocking the bridge over Towne Creek. The West Brook Trail provides access to the west half of the Park, and it is critical to reopen the bridge to regain access to this Trail.

We initially reached out to the equestrian organizations for support, which has been overwhelming. I want to extend thanks to all the equestrian organizations and individuals for their financial support of this project. Including pledges and cash received, we have exceeded the original estimated cost budget of $23,000.

However, the costs of the project will be higher than this initial estimate, so more funding will be necessary. Below is more detail on the project.

We are asking all the horse groups and members enjoy horse camping at Jack Brook and riding the trails in Pescadero Creek County Park to contribute to this cause. See below for more details

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Budget Details

Trial Clearing

$15,000

$15,000 - Working with San Mateo County Parks, we have arranged for the San Jose Conservation Corps to help repair the trails in Pescadero Creek County Park. A crew of 7 will be there the week of May 15, to clear the trails, cut some fallen trees, and repair trail treads in the eastern section of the park.

Bridge Repair

$5,000

$5,000 - Mike Bushue, who designed and built the bridge, has volunteered to lead the carpentry crew to do the bridge repairs.

The good news is that the substructure and foundation of the bridge appear to be fairly intact. There is a crack in one of the five beams, which can be repaired. He estimates that approximately $5,000 will be needed for materials. But until the trees are removed, a final evaluation cannot be made, and the repairs cannot begin.

Tree Removal

TBD

The original budget estimate for cutting the trees by the SJCC team was estimated at $3,000, based upon the photos. After a site visit, the SJCC tree cutter felt it was beyond his capabilities. The trees are very large, and this is technically complex and dangerous endeavor. The trees are over the creek, which must be respected.

The County is in the process of securing bids for tree removal. Because vehicle access to the site is still restricted, it is necessary to hike over a mile from the YMCA camp to get to the site, which makes it a challenge to get more bids sooner. When the equipment is available, the County will repair the Towne Fire Road for access to the site for tree

cutting, bridge building and repair materials.

County staff is working to find a tree contractor for the project who complies with the public sector procurement

process. The County has received one bid from a high-end company for $49,500 for the tree removal. A second bid has come in lower. We hope to get additional bids. It is not known when the County will select the contractor and

approves the contract, or how much it will finally cost. Tree contractors are all very busy now, so fitting into a

contractor’s schedule in the near term will be a challenge. Only when the trees are gone can the bridge repair begin.

We will not know the final cost of the project until this is done, but we know that we will need more funding to cover the increased cost to remove the downed trees. We have discussed with the County the idea of cost-sharing on this

project.

If we cannot remove the trees and save the bridge, the alternative is to build a new bridge and re-route the Trail. This would take several years, involve complex permitting, and be expensive. So the current plan is to remove the trees, in a cost-effective manner, and repair the bridge.

The dream is to have the project completed for the summer horse camping season, but the work and time required could prove to be more extensive.

Repairing the bridge and the trails will enable the equestrian community to enjoy riding from Jack Brook this summer. Without the bridge, the West Brook Trail is a dead end, cutting off nearly half the trails in the Park.

The Good news

The crew of six and a supervisor from the San Jose Conservation Corps will be on site on May 15 for a week. They will be clearing the other trails, cutting other downed trees, and fixing the trail treads, so that the east half of the park trails will be open for the riding season.

Thanks to you for supporting this project. Any funds raised in excess of the final project cost will remain in the Foundation’s Trails Fund for future projects.

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