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Stone Canyon residents press city for solutions as late-night trail use increases
Summary
Residents told the Oct. 28 council meeting that heavy late-night use of trails near Stone Canyon has created noise, privacy and safety concerns. City staff said extra ranger patrols, signage and physical improvements have been tried and that moving the trail would be costly; staff will reconvene a multi-department team and pursue new options.
A Stone Canyon resident urged the City Council on Oct. 28 to address what neighbors described as pervasive late-night trail activity that disturbs sleep and raises safety concerns.
Hunter Lynn, a Stone Canyon resident, said trails that once were quiet now see heavy use between about 4 a.m. and 11 p.m., including people playing loud music and unpredictable behavior that has disrupted neighborhood rest and raised safety worries. Lynn said calls to the sheriff had not produced visible results in some cases.
City staff said they have added extra ranger patrols, installed signage and pursued physical improvements; staff also reported the city has researched the cost of rerouting the trail but found moving it would require significant habitat work and likely cost "millions." Staff said they have convened a team including public works, parks and recreation and the sheriff's office to take another look and try new tactics. The city asked community members to continue reporting incidents to help enforcement and agreed to explore deterrents such as motion-sensor lighting and continued ranger patrols.
Outcome: Staff committed to continue multi-department efforts, maintain extra ranger patrols, expand outreach to neighbors and reconvene with fresh staff to identify additional mitigations. The council did not take a formal vote; staff follow-up was requested.
