Midcoast Community Council

An elected Municipal Advisory Council to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Serving 12,000 coastal residents Post Office Box 248, Moss Beach, CA 94038-0248 http://mcc.sanmateo.org
Len Erickson . Bill Kehoe . Neil Merrilees . David Vespremi . Bob Kline. Deborah Lardie . Leonard Woren

August 10, 2011 President Carole Groom and Members of the Board San Mateo County Board of Supervisors 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 Re: Request for Environmentally Friendly Pathways in Quarry Park Dear President Groom, Due to the time critical nature of this issue, this letter was approved by all the Midcoast Community Council (MCC) members in attendance (Kehoe, Kline and Woren) but a quorum was not reached. We will try to get a quorum at a special meeting in the next few days but hope you will consider this request and act quickly to stay any asphalt paving in Quarry Park. The MCC recognizes the significant contribution the County has made to improve Quarry Park in El Granada with new play equipment. Quarry Park is the only County Park located in the unincorporated Midcoast that offers a playground for families with children. The MCC is concerned about the proposed use of impervious asphalt for new pathways to the Quarry Park playground and picnic tables. We respectful request that the pathways be constructed from one of the following four ADA compliant and environmentally friendly options:
1. 2. 3. 4.

Decomposed Granite (DG) Pervious Pavers Gravel Pave 2 Packed Dirt Mixed with Crushed Aggregate

All four pervious options meet ADA trail surface requirements. Midcoast children are excited about the new playground and will undoubtedly run down the pathways to climb the new play equipment. Impervious asphalt pathways are unnecessary in this location and will lead to skinned knees and increased storm water runoff. The US Access Board, an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities was created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities. The Access Board is a leading source of information on accessibility design and they have the following to say about trail surface, "ADA Trail Surfaces are not limited to asphalt." A16.2.1 TRAIL SURFACE "Trail surfaces are required to be firm and stable. There are a spectrum of surfaces considered firm and stable and appropriate surfaces are not limited to surfacing materials

such as asphalt and concrete. Many naturally occurring surfaces, such as crushed aggregate or soils containing some clay and a spectrum of sieve sizes, are considered firm and stable." "Other natural surfaces may also become firm and stable when combined with a stabilizing agent. Wood planks, stone, grass, and packed dirt may also be considered accessible. The degree of firmness and stability may vary depending on the intended use and the expected direction and length of travel." Examples of existing pervious ADA compliant trails/paths on the San Mateo County coast include Mori Point in Pacifica and the Pillar Point Bluff trail in Moss Beach along with many other wonderful pervious trails/paths on the Coastside. Unfortunately for pedestrians and bicyclists the Half Moon Bay segment of the Coastal Trail is paved with asphalt that is in a continual state of disrepair. A few years ago the City of Half Moon Bay made a botched effort to restore the failing asphalt by coating it with sealcoat emulsion. Native plants maintained by Coastside Land Trust volunteers died as a result of sealcoat that covered vegetation near the trail. Sealcoat runoff is toxic to mammals (this includes children), birds, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants, and should not be allowed in Quarry Park. Over time asphalt breaks down. When paths and trails become riddled with cracks and holes as is the case on the geologically active coast, the least expensive solution is sealcoating. This is a concern because the Department of Public Works has a history of sealcoating asphalt on the coast. Pervious surfaces such as DG, Pervious Pavers, Gravel Pave 2 and Packed Dirt Mixed with Crushed Aggregate protect children and parkland from toxic sealcoat and skinned knees. Finally, there are some questions as to why this was done without following the proper planning process and conducting a public hearing on the Quarry Park project and we would like to know why there wasnt a Coastal Development Permit required.

Sincerely, s/Bill kehoe Bill Kehoe Vice Chair Midcoast Community Council Cc: David Boesch, County Manager, San Mateo County James C. Porter, Director, Public Works, San Mateo County Charles Lester, Coastal Commission Senior Deputy Director Ruby Pap, Coastal Commission District Supervisor