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Will Bikes continue to dominate ALL Waterdog trails,
while hikers are told to take a hike elsewhere ?

For over 20 years Belmont has failed to enforce the standards of its Open Space Master Plan by allowing bike use on designated hiking-only trails and sanctioning illegal trails. The Draft Open Space Master Plan, released in June 2022, fails to address the issues, and falls far short of General Plan requirements.

Belmont Kicks the Can Down the Road

 

The Draft Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan has been stalled pending determination of whether an environmental impact report (EIR) is needed. Waterdog Preserve.org strongly advocates for a complete Environmental Impact Report. Our October 2022 letter to City Officials gives the details:

October 26, 2022

 

TO:    Afshin Oskoui, Belmont City Manager

          Brigitte Shearer, Director Parks and Recreation, Belmont

 

Subject: Belmont’s Draft PROS Master Plan 2022-06-28 and OSMP 2022-06-24

 

WaterdogPreserve.org was created by a group of Belmont residents concerned about the declining health and safety of Belmont’s Open Space. The San Francisco Peninsula is part of one of 36 global biodiversity hot-spots; defined as a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation. Preservation of earth’s natural diversity is critical not just for plants and wildlife but for human health and well-being. Waterdog is one of the few remaining natural places in urbanized Belmont, but its functional ecological balance is impaired and visitor safety is threatened by poor maintenance and failure to adhere to adopted trail-use policies.

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The PROS Master Plan presents a unique opportunity for the City to correct this unsustainable path and restore a disciplined balance between recreation and conservation.

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We herein submit comments on the Draft PROS Master Plan dated 6/28/2022.

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Respectfully,

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Concerned Community Representatives of WaterdogPreserve.org

[Click here to read the complete WaterdogPreserve.org Letter]

Please email Belmont City Council to comment:

 

Visitor safety and the health of our Open Space are priorities;  the sport of mountain biking should not be allowed to endanger either.

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  1. Designate the narrow, steep or wooded trails for single-use hiking-only; the wide trails for multi-use.
     

  2. Close ALL illegal trails. They are dangerous, confusing, and damage our open space.

Safety for All
Illegal Trails

Public Comments by Residents at July 12, 2022 City Council

Hiker Injured on Waterdog Trail

E-bike Battery Thermal Wildfire

As a Community we share these goals for our valued open spaces​

Waterdog is one of the few remaining natural places in urbanized Belmont.  Its tranquility contributes to our quality of life.  As Belmont residents, we urge City Officials to take decisive action to restore and maintain Waterdog Open Space for future generations. We support:

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  • Safe and well maintained trails for users of all ages and abilities.

  • Sustainable wildlife habitat and a healthy forest for future generations.

  • Equitable access for users of all interests including nature, exercise, learning and just tranquility.

A Tour of Waterdog Open Space - Its Beauty and Destruction

Beauty

1.  Please designate the narrow steep and wooded trails

     for single-use hiking only; the wide trails for multi-use.

2.  Please close all illegal trails. They are dangerous,

     confusing and damage our open space.

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