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OC Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Volunteers Join Forces to Build a New Trail Can we build it? Sure we can! A new multi-use trail in beautiful Santiago Oaks Regional Park is the latest tangible reminder of the amazing things people can accomplish when they work together toward a shared goal. Approximately two dozen volunteers logged more than 150 hours building the Deer Trail in Santiago Oaks Regional Park. The collaborative effort involved OC Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and a number of volunteers, who cut a mile of trail through land that was badly burned during the Windy Ridge Fire in March 2007. The new trail replaces an old, unauthorized and unsustainable trail. Hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers along with park managers agreed that the new trail alignment offered an opportunity to provide a permanent connection between two main trails in the park. But the new trail was too costly - financial constraints prevented the county from building it. Thus was born the volunteer effort. OC Parks officials first reached out to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy for assistance. Led by Adam Maywhort, IRC’s planning & field operations manager and expert trail builder, along with a team of volunteers, the new trail was designed and constructed. IRC covered the cost of equipment and staff time. “We were very excited to be a part of this project, which created a great opportunity for several groups, including hikers, bikers, equestrians and trail runners, to work side by side on a venture that they will all benefit from,” Adam says. “The alignment meets several very important standards that have been established for new trails, including sustainability, connectivity, compatibility with the surrounding habitat, support for a variety of users, and providing a high-quality outdoor experience.” In keeping with the character of trail-building, the task wasn’t easy. Volunteers worked long hours performing many labor-intensive tasks under the scorching hot sun, including clearing thousands of rocks and cutting brush. They enthusiastically attacked the task with pickaxes and shovels and, perhaps most important of all, lots of heart and soul. When they were done, the total cost to taxpayers for the new trail was…zero. On July 12, OC Parks held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new trail. Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and trail runners gathered at Santiago Oaks Regional Park to celebrate its official opening. Many of the volunteers who helped build the trail also showed up with their horses, bikes and hiking boots to celebrate the trail’s dedication. “Creating this trail took real teamwork, and it’s truly heartening to see such a great turnout for its dedication,” OC Parks Deputy Director Mike Brajdic said. “This new recreational resource wouldn’t be here for all to enjoy without the volunteers’ hard work, the park rangers’ direction and the help of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.” Other attendees included OC Community Resources Director Steve Franks, OC Parks District Supervisor Linda Mayer and Irvine Ranch Conservancy Executive Director Michael O’Connell. In addition, long-time local hiker and mountain biker John Ganahl, SHARE Mountain Bike Club liaison Daniel Mutz and equestrian Vicki Coonradt attended and expressed their happiness with the new trail and their appreciation for the significant volunteer effort behind its creation. The new trail creates a loop by connecting the Barham Ridge and Anaheim Hills trails. It zig-zags down into a canyon and then climbs back up via switchbacks. The moderately steep trail has up to a 22 percent grade in some sections and provides a good challenge for all user groups. For more information about Santiago Oaks park and how to access the trail, click here. To register for these programs and others, visit http://www.irvineranchwildlands.org/activities/index.asp. Space is limited so please sign up today! 
Officials unveil the Deer Trail sign during the ribbon cutting ceremony on July
12.
From left to right: OC Parks Deputy Director Mike Brajdic; OC Parks District Supervisor Linda Mayer; OC Parks Ranger Jim Simpkins; IRC Planning & Field Operations Manager Adam Maywhort; and IRC Executive Director Michael O’Connell. (Photo courtesy of OC Parks) |