As provided for by the Trail Use Change Checklist Program, East Bay Regional Park District staff is now evaluating a public request to allow bicycle traffic on a trail that is almost two-thirds of a mile long located adjacent to the access road leading to the Alhambra Creek Staging Area in Briones Regional Park (see map below). This trail is now designated for hiking and equestrian use.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Park District staff has completed a preliminary evaluation of the proposed use change request, which is available on the Park District’s Web site at http://www.ebparks.org: click the Park Planning sidebar on the left side of the home page, then click Trail Use and open the Trail Use Change Checklist PDF document.

The Park District invites public comments on the proposed trail use change during a public review period.

Written comments must be received by Friday, January 9, 2009, and should be submitted to: Raphael Breines, Planning, Stewardship and GIS Services Department, East Bay Regional Park District, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605; or e-mail: rbreines@.... Alternatively, or in addition, you may provide your comments orally at a public input meeting whose details are given below.

PUBLIC INPUT MEETING: Park District staff is holding a public input meeting that will focus on identifying issues related to the trail use change request. You are encouraged to attend the meeting to express feedback, identify issues and speak on the request’s potential affects (both positive and negative) on the character of the trail, trail user safety, compatibility, circulation, natural resources, etc.

Staff will consider oral and written comments and will then make a formal recommendation on this proposal. If staff recommends approval of the trail use change the proposal will be considered at subsequent public meetings which have not yet been scheduled.