1. Q. Why does Valley Center need trails?
A. Valley Center currently has no trails, pathways or sidewalks for safe pedestrian, bicycle or equestrian movement. Walking along roads is dangerous and it discourages walking and other non-motorized transportation. Walking, running, bicycling and horse back riding are excellent forms of exercise for good health and to prevent obesity. Our school age children are particularly disadvantaged by our lack of trails and pathways, being totally dependent upon busses and parental transport for getting to and from school. Children should be encouraged to walk and bicycle to school as much as possible for their own health and physical development. This can only be done if we have safe trails and pathways for them to use.
2. Q. What is the difference between a trail and a pathway?
A. The official San Diego County Trails Master Plan defines a pathway as a walkway adjacent to a road or street, but clearly separated from the portion of the road on which cars and trucks travel. Ideally, a pathway should have a fence or other separation between the motorized and non-motorized traffic. The surface of a pathway may be soft or hard materials. In Valley Center, we are planning on having soft pathways made of “DG” (decomposed granite), which would be suitable for walking, running, wheelchairs, bikes and horses.
A trail is similar to a pathway, but is completely separate from a road or street, and is usually in a more natural setting, such as a wooded or riparian area. There are many potential areas for trails in Valley Center, but much work is needed to identify appropriate locations and then to develop them. At the present time, the only trails in Valley Center are those in Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve.
3. Q. How are we going to pay for trails and pathways?
A. Various governmental and private grant sources are available for trail and pathway development. Application for these grants is usually done jointly by the community (Valley Center Trail Association) and San Diego County. Valley Center has already received one state grant for the development of the Heritage Trail – the one mile segment of the Valley Center Pathway between Lilac and Miller Roads. A second grant application was submitted in November 2007 and we are waiting to hear whether we will receive funding. The state-funded grant was matched in part by donations from the Indian Reservations, the County of San Diego, local businesses and individuals. State grants are usually designated for a specific purpose, such as mitigation for loss of trees; others are designated for safe routes to schools. Private foundations also provide grants for community projects, including trails and pathways.
Owners of private property can also donate or sell portions of their land for trails and pathways, dedicating them to use for trails and/or pathways. Owners of private land that has been permanently committed to trail or pathway use and accepted by San Diego County for that purpose, are relieved of all liability for any accidents or other occurrences on the trail or pathway. Tax relief benefits are also provided to owners who dedicate their land to trails or pathways.