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Residents question survey outreach and river crossings at Jurupa Valley trails presentation
Summary
At the findings presentation residents pressed consultants on survey outreach—saying many horse‑owning areas and Hispanic residents were missed—and raised safety and crossing issues at the Santa Ana River; consultants acknowledged outreach limits and said barrier design will be addressed in later design phases.
During the public comment portion of the presentation, resident Henry Escalera said the invitation survey missed many horse‑owning neighborhoods and that some Hispanic residents were upset with how ethnicity/language options were presented.
"Your save survey, I still say it's wrong," Escalera said, adding that portions of Mira Loma did not receive ballots and that outreach contractors did not properly recognize Hispanic identifiers, which produced local frustration.
Jeff Melkus of Barry Dunn responded that the invitation survey was randomly selected and reiterated the team’s confidence in the statistical sample, while noting the open Social Pinpoint engagement—available to anyone—showed a stronger picture of horse ownership than the invitation sample. "The Social Pinpoint that was open to the public does paint a stronger picture in terms of horse ownership than the survey did," Melkus said.
A separate resident asked whether major barriers such as railroad tracks or large roads had been factored into planned trail connections and whether equestrians would be accommodated. Naomi Germaine of Kimley Horn said that at the current planning level the team is considering those barriers but is not doing detailed design for undercrossings or intersection treatments yet; she said the next steps will dig into design where necessary to accommodate all users.
A follow‑up comment noted there is no safe crossing to the south side of the Santa Ana River in some places (citing a dike and encampments) and contrasted local conditions with costly bridge projects elsewhere; consultants acknowledged those access and safety challenges and said the plan will consider corridor solutions and future design work.
Melkus thanked attendees for feedback, invited residents to contact the team by email and said the consultants will incorporate public comments into the forthcoming draft report to be returned for additional input in the fall.
