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Anaheim seeks district support for Knoll Ranch trail behind Canyon High; board raises safety and access questions
Summary
City of Anaheim presented a conceptual Class 1 bikeway and adjacent pedestrian trail that would cross district property behind Canyon High School; trustees pressed the city on gate control, emergency access, student safety during peak drop-off times, e-bike rules, and tree impacts. No board action was taken.
Anaheim Public Works representatives on Feb. 26 outlined a proposed Knoll Ranch Class 1 bikeway and adjacent pedestrian trail that would run behind Canyon High School and connect to existing bike lanes on Santa Ana Canyon Road. The city said it has secured grant funding for design and construction and would request easement rights across district land; city staff emphasized no board action was required tonight.
The presentation, led by Ralph Contreras of Anaheim Public Works, described a separated bike facility intended to increase safety and connectivity, and listed project elements including ADA-compliant ramps, high-visibility crosswalks and rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs). "Class 1 bikeways provide a safer and more comfortable experience by ensuring a physical separation from motor vehicle traffic," Contreras said during the presentation.
Trustees and staff focused questions on school access and safety. Trustee Pelley and others asked whether new gates would be opened onto school property and who would control access; Contreras said the city is not proposing new gates on the south end and that the district currently controls northern gates. City engineer Carlos Sansejo explained a collapsible bollard design "that has a pin and a lock" so authorized personnel could remove it for vehicle access while preventing routine vehicle entry.
Board members also pressed the city on emergency and fire access; Sansejo confirmed that bollard placement would still permit emergency vehicle access when unlocked. Trustees raised concerns about student safety during peak drop-off and pickup times and asked whether the facility could be restricted during school hours. City staff said the trail hours would be dusk to dawn and that lighting is not proposed to avoid encouraging night use and to limit light pollution. The city proposed outreach and education, including school-based programming and police holding educational sessions rather than immediate enforcement, to address e-bike operation and user behavior.
Residents who attended the city outreach meeting expressed concern about additional entrances into neighborhood streets. Public commenter Stuart Dunham, representing an HOA board, said residents "do not want an entrance coming into our streets from those trails." City staff acknowledged those concerns and said optional design connections could be removed and that a follow-up community meeting will be held after engineering plans are developed.
Project timeline details presented by the city estimated completion of design and environmental review in 2026 and construction between 2026 and 2027; the city said it would provide plan submittals to the district for review if the board chooses to proceed with easement discussions. Board President Erickson closed the item by noting there was "no action taken tonight" and that district staff will continue to work with city representatives to address board questions.
Next steps: district staff will follow up with Anaheim on more detailed engineering plans, tree assessments by the city arborist, CEQA documentation, and potential operational or access conditions specific to school hours.
