Comments on: Fickle Hillers File First Pushback For Ridge Trail – October 23, 2010

By: Friend of Fickle Hill

Friend of Fickle Hill — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:45:38 +0000

As a resident of Fickle Hill, i can verify that most neighbors i have talk to are in favor of the Arcata Ride Trail. Of course, residents should have concerns regarding a trail in the vicinity of their home, however their concerns should not be based on what happens at the bottom of Fickle Hill around Redwood Park. That area of the park experiences the problems it does due to its vicinity to downtown Arcata. It’s a 1000 foot climb and nearly 1.5 miles from Redwood Park to the proposed trail site. There area other areas of Arcata that have trails directly behind neighborhoods. Check out trails around Diamond Drive and California Street. Those trails experience very few of problems mentioned by the posts above. Also, many residents on Fickle Hill have property adjacent to the community forest and have had few problems. In fact, most of the neighbors with land bordering the park have their own private trails leading into the park.

By: fickle

fickle — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:55:15 +0000

Once the city “invites” the public into your backyard it will then become your problem and not the city’s.

By: Cesare Caligari

Cesare Caligari — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:13:39 +0000

Several years ago, in the spirit of helping others enjoy the out-doors as I do, I agreed to granting easements for horse, hiking and bicycle trails across my property (in another county, somewhat more upscale than Humboldt).

I’m sorry to say that the result has not been good. Granted that it is a minority of the users causing problems, but I have had to put up with theft, filth (both human waste , doggy presents and just plain trash), cut fences for short-cuts, one fire and one assault. Drug deals are commonplace and the police won’t even investigte them any more.

The Fickle Hillers are right to oppose the trail.
The reality of having the public drawn to or close to your home is unfortunately nothing like the rosey picture painted by a few vocal pressure groups.