Community Outrage at Lime Ridge Flow Trail Meeting

The recent PROS meeting on the proposed Flow trail in Lime Ridge was nothing short of a travesty. Community members arrived to discuss the trail and were met with alarming misinformation and a complete lack of transparency. Mr. Vickers, a city staffer, claimed that no further actions by PROS or City Council were required to construct the Flow trail, despite the fact that the recommendations only called for exploring the possibility, not building it.

Over 1,870 people have signed a petition against the development of Flow trails, yet Mr. Vickers is moving forward with construction with no community input. He spoke for over 30 minutes, sharing unverified information and minimizing the very real concerns of citizens. He avoided addressing the damage caused by bikers, the cessation of cattle grazing to reduce fire risk, the lack of other communities building flow trails, and the potential increase in bikers if the trail is built. He also refused to address liability issues, funding details, and the change of use of the Timberleaf trail without proper notice.

The meeting revealed a deeply concerning unilateral authority by city staff to build a trail that would violate the Lime Ridge Master Plan and city municipal codes without any oversight. The community's requests for meetings and inclusion in the conversation have been repeatedly denied. Even the WCOSF and equestrian organizations withdrew their support for the trails committee recommendations, leaving Mr. Vickers standing alone with only the mountain biking lobby.

The proposal also fails to address enforcement in Open Spaces, where renegade mountain biking has led to habitat destruction, illegal trails, and significant user conflict. Other user groups, including hikers and walkers, are being ignored in favor of mountain bikers.

This entire process needs to be taken back to square one, conducted in full view of the public, with input from the community and all stakeholders. The city council must intervene immediately to stop this travesty and protect the interests of the citizens of Walnut Creek. It's time to stand up against special interest groups and do the right thing to protect our Open Spaces.

Join the movement today and make your voice heard. Stand with us to protect our Open Spaces and demand transparency and community involvement. Email us today to find out how you can help or to get a yard sign.