Perimeter Trail Maintenance

The trails in Arastradero Preserve receive heavy use from all visitors during every season. Due to the heavy clay soils and drainage patterns, many of the trails are especially vulnerable to damage and require frequent maintenance. Typical problems include ponding and ruts due to lack of proper drainage, berms on the outside of trails and lack of tread definition. Brush also crowds the trails in some locations.

     The City of Palo Alto's site includes a map of the preserve.

     Trail Center volunteers rerouted several hundred feet of the Perimeter Trail in 1998, closed a volunteer trail and repaired erosion damage.

Perimeter Trail (Apr. 24 and May 8): Volunteers repaired tread and improved drainage on the trail between Portola Pastures stables entrance and Gate B. Old barbed-wire fence was removed, brush trimmed and tread restored to full width in most locations. Some drainage problems were beyond the scope of the project or were too wet to repair during spring months and will be addressed later.

Trail Width: 3.5-4 ft.

Maximum Grade: 10% for new construction; existing grade for maintenance

Outslope: 2-3% (standard)

Flagging: At grade level (consult crew leader)

Hazards and Other Considerations: poison oak, wasps (possible), ticks

Expected Number of Workdays: 2

Access to Worksite and Parking: Parking at Preserve main lot, along Alpine Rd. near Page Mill intersection, Page Mill Park & Ride

Water, Restrooms, Picnic Area: Water and restrooms at main lot (or as arranged); picnic area to be announced at workday

Emergency: 911 from phone at main lot

Nearest Hospital: Stanford Hospital. From Alpine Rd., go to Page Mill Rd., turn left and go to I-280 entrance. Take I-280 2 mi. north to Alpine Rd. exit; go right on Alpine and travel 2 mi. to Sand Hill Rd. Turn right and travel 1.5 mi. Stanford Hospital entrance and follow signs to Emergency.

      Additional information: We celebrated California Trail Days/Earth Day 1999 at Arastradero Preserve. You may wish to view the flyer for that event.

     

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