What WE CAN DO to save our TRAILS

submitted  by Katie Yaranon, DHA Vice President

Trail Update    3/23/10

The following is a summary of the first meeting that I had with Carl Clark of Georgetown Divide Park and Recreation District.
      

The meeting was to establish some definite actions that DHA could take to help Carl promote trail easement dedication.  Carl Clark is our direct link with GD Park and Rec and also the El Dorado Planning Commission. 

#1  The Sundance subdivision is first priority as this subdivision gets closer to reality.  We need a few people familiar with this area (298 acres on the south side of Rattlesnake Bar, approx. .8 miles east of the intersection with Hwy 49  in the Pilot Hill area)  to determine best possible easement for future trail.  At least two planning officials have not yet been convinced of the necessity to require easement,  so we need to show that a trail easement will be important as a present or future connection to the overall trail system (think of the overall trail system as a huge loop from ALT to Olmstead to Pilot Hill and Folsom to Cronan and Magnolia and somehow getting over to the Sliger Mine/Georgetown airport trails). Whoever has an interest in this Sundance  easement please let me know and we can get together and strategize.


#2  The club will also need to show it's support for the adoption of the El Dorado County Trails Master Plan which was revised in 1997 but somehow was not adopted as part of the overall master plan.  Currently the Park and Recreation Master Plan is soon to be adopted into the Overall Master Plan and the Trail Master plan can be adopted as a part of the Park and Rec document.  Carl and I think it is in DHA's best interest if this Trails Master Plan is adopted as it gives  specific protections to creating easements for trails.  He suggested a large contingent of trail users (pedestrian, bike, horse )  show up at the adoption meeting as solid evidence of approval.  This meeting will be sometime in the summer or fall and he will let us know .  But do keep your ears open for info on this. 

#3  Lastly Carl needs some point person for the following areas: 

Forest service/Upcountry/Georgetown Airport Trails
Cool
Pilot Hill


Please let me know if you have an interest in riding/mapping/strategizing how to make this all happen.  It is a huge  undertaking that will mostly bear on the future but we can do it--one trail at a time!    Katie Yaranon   885-6399
 

DHA General Meeting Minutes - March 17th, 2010  Meeting started at 7:05PM 26 members and guests in attendance       Pam began the meeting with the official nomination of Katie Yaranon for VP and asking for any other nominations.  There were none, so it was voted to have a verbal election of Katie as our VP.  The vote was unanimous.       Jenny Gomez will help do new DHA shirts; Karen Viani has some shirts left and visors in different colors can be ordered.      Carl Clark with GDRD needs people to notify him of areas that need to be mapped for trails that are "unknown" but being used now; need to link to other trails; potential trails( in case of developments); etc. Katie, Jackie & Patricia Tompkins will look into this.      EDETF gave out info on their yearly fundraiser, the Dru Barner Fun Ride - May 30th. Also, see info on the website at edetf.net.  There will be a work day May 26th to do some clean up at Dru Barner.  They also need volunteers to help with the ride.  Contact: Ann Blankenship 823-7470      Pam asked the attending members if they would like to OK filling the large holes at the Pedro Hill parking area with gravel.  A motion was made and seconded to have Dick Roy take care of this after an okay from Jeff Horn.      Also, a suggestion was made for signs to direct parking..  Will be discussed with Jeff Horn.      Carl Clark has suggested GDRD "leasing/renting" an arena while an area for a permanent location of a community arena is being discussed.  American River Ranch was mentioned.  If anyone has a suggestion, please contact someone on the DHA board.      TACK SALE at Claudia's - May 15th.  No charge for DHA members.  Food will be available.      May 16th is the Big Bike Race through the town of Cool.  Suggestion made to stay clear of the area.  If you want to watch, Northside School will have pancakes, games for the kids with the proceeds to go to the "arts" at Northside.     POKER RIDE: we need someone to head this event at Dru Barner.  It was also suggested to run our ride during EDETF's Fun Ride.  Anyone willing?????      Meeting ended at 8:00pm. Dee Matlock