Council to Consider Proposed Beach Trail

The city Parks and Recreation Commission will meet today to consider a proposed beach trail, a master plan for parks and a final report on recent budget reductions.

For nearly five years, the city has been considering whether to install a 1.5-mile bike trail or pedestrian boardwalk along former railroad right of way from the north beach to the Pier Bowl area, said Bruce Wegner, city director of beaches, parks and recreation.

But Wegner said plans will remain on hold until the city gets results of a study to determine the best location for a trail, expected to cost $2 million to $5 million. Wegner said the city faces several issues, including beach erosion and safety at railroad crossings.

The city, which obtained the stretch of right of way upon the sale of the Santa Fe railroad, is using a portion of $1.5 million in grants to study whether such a trail is possible.