HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/16/2021 Item 12, Dalbey
Wilbanks, Megan
From:John Dalbey <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Hill, Robert
Subject:$33 per night hike is an unjustifiable city expense
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Dear City Council,
I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity on March 16 to DISCONTINUE open space winter hours of use.
As pointed out in the staff report, this controversial pilot program is inconsistent with the intent of the City's existing
open space policy, it's an excessive burden on Ranger Service resources, and it's an unwarranted expense that will likely
result in less attention on more important priorities.
Being a hiker myself I'm sympathetic to people who want to hike after dark during winter months. But I don't view open
space use as some kind of personal recreation entitlement. The city shouldn't make exceptions to long standing policies
just because the regulations are inconvenient for some users.
There are several legal after-dark recreation opportunities nearby for hikers and mountain bikers. The Poly Canyon
loop, Stagecoach Road, and the Cuesta Ridge road are open after dark.
According to estimates in the staff report, each night hike in the next two years will cost the city $33. ($175,000 / 2594
hikes/year * 2 years). This is a ridiculous and unnecessary expense. It would be cheaper to just give $20 to every person
that applies for a night hke permit and tell them to go out to dinner instead of hiking.
Please put an end to night hiking in the City's open space.
Sincerely,
John Dalbey
P.O. Box 15032
SLO, CA 93406
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