Penasquitos resident works on ‘Trail for All’
Jas Arnold, a resident of Rancho Penasquitos, says he enjoys the beauty of the great outdoors.
But for the professional land surveyor, finding trails that are accessible with his wheelchair can be problematic.
That’s why when he looked at aerial maps for land near the Black Mountain Open Space Park, Arnold saw a unique opportunity for a trail that could easily be navigated by wheelchair, or by people with other disabilities.
Arnold, an employee of Rick Engineering Co. — a company that worked extensively on the development of Santaluz — realized an existing dirt loop could lend itself to an accessible path.
“This loop that is adjacent to the parking lot just seemed perfect,” Arnold said. “It was extremely flat and had potential of becoming a place where disabled people and anyone could go to enjoy the open area and open space.”
In the last six months, Arnold, a member of the open space’s Citizen Advisory Committee, has gotten others in the group interested in this “Trail for All People.”
The Friends of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve has donated $1,000 and made the trail one of its priorities.
The plans call for a 5-foot-wide colored concrete path to be placed over a one-third-mile loop that feeds off the park’s main parking lot.
The northernmost portion of the trail would include a lookout pavilion with a shaded area. Along the course of the path, there would be interpretive signs. The entirety of the trail would consist of moderate grades that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Arnold said the path would provide a “park-within-a-park” experience for all people, allowing them a glimpse of Mt. Woodson, Santaluz, Fairbanks Ranch and 4S Ranch, Mt. Woodson, Black Mountain and — on a clear day — the Pacific Ocean.
After approaching the advisory committee, Arnold went to co-workers, who helped develop conceptual drawings. So far, cost estimates, aerial photography, a detailed topographic map and a preliminary engineering study have been developed. A company has also offered a discount on the cement that will be used for the project.
Now the supporters are looking to the community.
Soon, they will announce a fundraising campaign, and Arnold is working on grants from the state’s department of parks and recreation.
Mike Kelly, conservation chairman of the Friends group, said the current fundraising goal is $200,000 to $250,000.
Kelly said the trail so appealing because it promises a wide number of people — including those who need wheelchairs, walkers or strollers — the opportunity to enjoy views currently available mainly to hikers.
“We also think the trail could be attractive to people with different type of disabilities,” said Kelly.
After Penasquitos resident Dave White heard about the trail, he suggested adding accommodations for the blind. White, an avid tandem cyclist who has volunteered his time by biking with the disabled, also decided to donate $100 toward the project.
“I liked what I saw in the drawings and the discussion and the design concepts that were discussed at the meeting,” White said. “I’m very much anticipating seeing the project move forward.”
Supporters are also asking interested parties to e-mail trailforallpeople@san.rr.com with suggestions on how to make the trail accessible for more people.
Most of the land required for the trail is currently owned by Black Mountain Ranch LLC, which will hand the title over to the city of San Diego after the development of Del Sur is complete.
Bill Dumka, the company’s senior vice president, said the company is figuring out how to cooperate with the group.
“We think it’s a good idea,” Dumka said. “We’ve got a big trail system and while we try to do it in a way that most people can use them ... They are natural trails, so sometimes the grade gets to be fairly steep.”