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Council adopts "Walk Saint Helena" trails plan ordinance after months of organizing and local debate over access and safety
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to codify the Walk Saint Helena Trails and Open Space Plan as a framework in the municipal code. Advocates touted nearly 500 validated signatures and outside grant prospects; neighbors raised concerns about parking, trail access and wildfire safety at specific sites (notably the lower reservoir and Sulfur Creek). Staff said the plan is a framework requiring subsequent design, easement work and environmental steps.
The City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that places the citizen‑authored Walk Saint Helena Trails and Open Space Plan into the city’s municipal code as a framework for future trail and walking‑route projects.
City Manager Mr. McCann told council staff supports adopting the plan as a framework, noting that "some segments will require additional design, easement negotiations, funding and neighborhood input" before physical work begins. Walk Saint Helena organizers described a multiyear, largely volunteer effort: principal organizer David Kudson said the group collected and certified almost 500 signatures and has begun pursuing foundation and grant funding.
Supporters at the hearing highlighted the plan’s potential to expand low‑impact, walk‑only routes that improve resident health and create new visitor experiences in town. "Walking is a great way to welcome others," volunteer Linda Brown told the council, urging approval and civic volunteer involvement. Organizers noted early fundraising success and targeted grant applications (Cliff Family Foundation, AARP walk audits, REI, Kaiser) and said they plan to fund implementation largely through philanthropy and partnerships rather than city operating dollars.
Neighbors of the lower reservoir and Sulfur Creek cautioned that those specific segments pose parking, traffic, liability and wildfire‑safety challenges. Residents who live along the single‑lane Bieber Road and Spring Mountain Road described narrow approaches, limited turnout space and past uncontrolled visitor behavior; one neighbor said that when reservoir levels fall some visitors attempt dangerous actions near the water. Several speakers urged the council to treat the most sensitive segments as conditional on further engineering, parking solutions and fire‑safety mitigation.
Staff and council framed the ordinance as an enabling step. Mr. McCann and the city attorney noted that adopting the plan confers a policy framework and that individual trail projects will be subject to separate design, easement negotiation and environmental review as required by state law. Councilmembers noted both the community benefits of more walking options and the need for careful implementation in high‑risk or access‑constrained areas; the mayor instructed staff to engage neighbors and bring affected segments through prioritized design and review.
The council approved the ordinance by motion (Mayor Paul Jameson Doring moved; Vice Mayor Dy seconded) with a unanimous roll call. Councilmembers said they want early involvement of affected neighbors in implementation planning and encouraged Walk Saint Helena organizers to continue fundraising and volunteer recruitment.
