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Placerville advances draft ‘Adopt‑a‑Trail’ plan and pledges more patrols after public input
Summary
City staff presented a draft adopt‑a‑trail program and security plan for the El Dorado Trail; council received and filed the report, police pledged a minimum of three trail patrols per week, and the cannabis community benefits committee may fund a trailer and equipment.
City staff presented a draft plan March 11 to improve maintenance and security on the El Dorado Trail, proposing an “Adopt‑a‑Trail” program, a trailer stocked with equipment for volunteer workdays, and stepped‑up police patrols.
City Manager Morris and Community Services Director Dennis Nishihara described a draft program that would allow community groups, businesses or individuals to adopt designated trail segments to assist with litter removal, minor vegetation control and reporting of hazards. Staff said the city has not adopted the program; the packet included a draft and asked for feedback from the Recreation and Parks Commission and community partners.
Dennis Nishihara told the council the city estimates roughly $27,000 to buy a trailer and tools and that the cannabis community benefits committee has the program on its radar as a potential funding source. volunteers or groups would be supervised on work days, use the city trailer and tools, and city staff would retrieve collected debris after events.
Police Chief Joe Wren said the department will maintain high‑visibility patrols on the trail and committed to making trips on the trail at least three days a week as a minimum, using UTVs, bicycles and cars when available. Chief Wren said officers made arrests during a recent patrol and that enforcement is intended to signal that criminal activity on the trail will be addressed.
Friends of the Eldorado Trail and other local volunteers urged clearer administrative procedures for scheduling trailer use, training and safety orientation, reporting processes for hazards, and whether natural parallel paths would be included in maintenance. Speakers also noted parts of the trail cross state or private property, which complicates maintenance and enforcement.
The council took no immediate regulatory action and voted to receive and file the report; staff said they will take the draft to the Recreation and Parks Commission, refine administrative details and continue outreach with Friends of the Eldorado Trail and other stakeholders.
