Midpen is conducting an environmental analysis of three potential sites that could be used to expand parking and trailhead access to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. The sites were recommended by the La Honda Public Access Working Group and have been thoroughly studied for feasibility.
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Public Access
Goals and Objectives
The project seeks to provide ecologically sensitive public access to the central, currently closed, portion of the preserve and offer opportunities to connect visitors between the upper and lower reaches of the preserve.
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Sites Being Analyzed
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- A total of 75 parking spaces as follows:
- 54 spaces for the proposed lower gravel parking lot
- Four new equestrian trailer parking spaces (as each parking space can accommodate a two-horse trailer, four spaces allow for up to eight horses)
- 50 new overflow vehicular parking spaces
- A total of 21 spaces for the reconfigured existing upper paved parking lot.
- Four restriped ADA parking spaces
- 17 paved parking spaces
- 54 spaces for the proposed lower gravel parking lot
- Trail access from the lower parking lot to the upper parking lot and trail system
- Widening Sears Ranch Road to 20 feet with improvements for the section of road from La Honda Elementary School to the existing Sears Ranch Road parking lot
- New vehicular and pedestrian gates to prevent public vehicular access to grazing areas
- New hitching posts and mounting blocks for equestrian use at the lower lot and the upper lot near the restroom
- A paved parking lot with a total of 28 spaces
- Two ADA spaces on a concrete pad
- A vault restroom facility located adjacent to the parking lot
- Vehicular access to and from Highway 84
- A new automatic solar gate to prevent public vehicular access to the parking lot outside normal operating hours
- Traffic safety enhancements such as warning beacons
- A new trailhead and trail access via the bridge over La Honda Creek
- Bridge replacement
- Gravel parking lot with 18 spaces
- One ADA space on a concrete pad
- New public vehicular access to and from Highway 84 via a permit reservation and docent-led access approach to limit daily traffic movements to and from Highway 84. Timed entry and exits can limit traffic accessing Site E3.
- Traffic safety enhancements such as median barriers and warning beacons
- Trail access from the proposed parking lot at Site E3 to the Red Barn
Project Timeline
DATE | PHASE |
2019-20 | Public Access Working Group process to identify sites. |
2021-24 | Technical and feasibility studies on sites recommended by the working group. |
June 26, 2024 | Midpen's board of directors approves feasibility studies, project moves into environmental review phase. (Agenda and report) |
2025-26 | Environmental review process including public review period. |
TBD | Development of designs for trailheads and parking areas. |
TBD | Permitting, bidding, construction and opening to public. |
Documents and Reports
Related Projects
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In 2019, Midpen board members and constituents from throughout Midpen’s service area came together…