HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-2017 Item 8, Vujovich-La BarreSent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 3:22 PM
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<DRivoire@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>; Christianson, Carlyn
<cc h ri stia nso n @ sl oc4ty.o rg>
Subject: Night Hiking - Not in favor!
February 21, 2017
Mayor Harmon and City Council Members
City Hall
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Dear Mayor Harmon and City Council Members,
As a lover of sports, the outdoors, and our City, I am writing to you about the prospects for night
hiking in our community.
I am, for the most part, opposed to any night hiking on the basis of safety and preserving our
environment. In brief, the reasons include:
1. As cited in our city's Municipal code, Open Space is set aside primarily for conservation.
2. A secondary use is indeed recreation, such as hiking.
3. Conservation includes the land, animals, and plants of the Open Space.
4. Wildlife is very active at dusk and dawn; it's necessary for their survival.
5. Our General Plan supports the preservation of wildlife corridors.
6. The safety of the hikers and residents.
We bear the collective responsibility to be stewards of the land and protect wildlife. Residents
continue to advocate for the protection of our open space.
As a resident of the Bishop Peak neighborhood, I have seen multiple rescues after dark.
These rescues are costly and preventable.
In the event that night hiking is permitted, I believe that there would be an increase in crime. Night
hiking would create fire hazards. Over time these areas would be utilized by our homeless population.
In addition, there are wild animals who need to be able to safely access food and water. Night hiking
would force them into human encounters that would be unsafe for both parties.
Please do not endorse night hiking. Please limit hiking and other non-destructive recreational uses of
our Open Space to the time after sunrise and one hour before sunset.
Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity to support our city's Open Space, wildlife, land,
trees, and other plants.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
San Luis Obispo, California