Equestrians and bicyclists dispute trails
The Malibu Creek Park trail is over dispute between local cyclist and equestrians. A recent proposal to give better access to cyclists on two trails in the Reagan Ranch at Malibu Creek State Park by providing passing lanes has put the two groups at odds.
On March 2 park officials held a public meeting to discuss the possibility of the realignment of current trails. This would allow bikes on two paths that are commonly accessed by equestrians hikers and pedestrians. This has sparked a conversation with both camps talking on both sides of the issue.
Horseback riders are concerned with the speed at which cyclist travel claiming that they are a safety hazard for horseback riders hikers pedestrians and animals.
On the other side of the issue CORBA the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association has been trying to get biking trails since 2008. They feel that they are being discriminated against.
Acting superintendent Craig Sap asserted that the realigning of the trails would not be a move against or for either one of the two groups. The realignment of the trails would actually help both groups since the trails are very narrow and have many blind spots.
Sap also maintained that the state park is far from changing the trails. The process requires a lot of time including several months for an environmental impact report to be completed. For now Sap is still listening to all sides of the issue. He maintains that the trail should be accessible for most users.
Malibu celebrates 20 years as official city
Although the 26 miles of beautiful Malibu coastline can be dated back to 1542 when Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo stopped for water on his northbound journey Malibu officially celebrates its 20th birthday this week after officially becoming a city in 1991. The campaign for cityhood brought the community together; however that does not mean that things stayed that way.
Malibu’s cityhood was initiated by an oncoming sewer mandate from Los Angeles County 20 years ago giving the city more freedom to direct its own sewer treatment. Oddly this week also marked the announcement of a 2019 residential septic system ban which will initiate the plans for the $32 to $52 million Civic Center wastewater treatment facility.
Malibu has come a long way as it now boasts having millions of tourists visit its beaches each year. Along with a boost in tourism property values and commercial rents have risen leaving several businesses out of business.
In the way of actual birthday celebrations there will be festivities Sunday March 27 including a community picnic on Legacy Park and an open house at the new City Hall. The celebration will offer food refreshments and live music from noon until 4 p.m. However the celebration will be postponed if it rains on Malibu’s parade.