Consultants present Jurupa Valley trails master plan findings, prioritize connected walking, biking and equestrian access

Jeff Melkus, a senior consultant with Barry Dunn, presented findings from a joint trails master plan for the city and the parks district, saying the research shows strong public demand for connected walking and biking trails and targeted equestrian accommodations.

"The top item was to develop new walking and biking trails and connect existing trails," Melkus said, summarizing results from a statistically valid invitation survey and an open online engagement site.

The consultants reported about 522 completed responses to the invitation (described as statistically valid with roughly a ±6% margin of error) and nearly 1,200 visits with about 730 unique users to their Social Pinpoint engagement site. Melkus said the engagement showed the highest stated priorities were for connected walking and biking trails while use estimates indicated a multi‑user population that includes walkers, hikers, joggers, mountain bikers and horse owners.

Melkus cited participation figures and household equestrian prevalence: "about 7,000 households who own at least one horse" and, on the household question, roughly 21% identified as owning at least one horse, which the consultants said informed recommendations for equestrian‑friendly routes and facilities.

Naomi Germaine of Kimley Horn walked attendees through the consultants' existing trails inventory and the draft network. Germaine said the inventory uses standard categories—paved multiuse paths (typically at least 8 feet wide), improved soft‑surface multiuse trails (DG/chip/sand), unimproved multiuse trails (shoulder or informal paths), equestrian/hiking trails in natural areas, and existing bike lanes. She cautioned that sidewalks and very small neighborhood paths were not included in this inventory.

On the draft network, Germaine said planned trails (shown as higher‑priority dashed lines) are distinguished from future opportunities (dotted lines that may require right‑of‑way beyond city or parks district control). "Our goal with this planned trail network is opportunities for people to connect throughout; we really want to encourage connection down to the Santa Ana River area," she said, and noted the plan will pursue east–west and north–south backbone corridors that also seek links to regional routes such as the Juan Bautista de Anza Historical Trail and the Fontana Regional Trail.

Consultants flagged gaps in regional connectivity—naming corridors around Mira Loma and Sky Country among others—and emphasized the study is a planning‑level effort: details such as undercrossings, intersection treatments and full design for equestrian accommodation will be developed in later implementation steps.

Melkus closed the presentation by outlining next steps: the team will compile input into a draft report of action items, goals and recommendations, return to present the draft for public comment, and then move toward a final adoption process, targeting a fall timeframe for the draft report.