HomeMy WebLinkAboutExtended Open Space Public Comment, Buxton
Christian, Kevin
From:Brad Buxton <
Sent:Monday, October
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Support of Extended Hours in City Open Space
I support extended hours in city open space during the winter.
The cost of living in SLO is rising each year and City open spaces are free places to exercise and recreate. This is one of
the only low cost options for people.
Council members have said that conservation is important in city open space. Conserve is different than
preserve. Conservation means that there is still some use of the land including at night time.
There are many assumptions about impacts to the trails and wildlife. Does the city have data on the number of trail
users before enforcement was stepped up in 2015? Were there negative impacts to wildlife during that time? What
were they? Humans are animals (fauna) and there will be interaction at some level regardless of time of day. Humans
are part of the natural use of the environment.
Are environmental impacts from cattle which is allowed to graze in city open space more or less than nighttime trail
users? Does that cattle get removed at night?
Safety is always a concern for all trail users but is no more dangerous at night. How many rescue have there been at
night vs during the day? Users should be required to have lights just like on any city street.
Bishop Peak should remain closed at sunset due to the rugged terrain in the event of a rescue. The proximity to Cal Poly
and neighborhoods sees the most night time use and this seems to cause problems.
The council should extended the hours of Open Space in winter time until approximately 9pm
Brad Buxton
SLO Resident
Hiker
Runner
1