Expand Trail Systems to Link Communities

By Patrick Thomas "Pat" Higgins

Pat Higgins will make it a priority to work with communities, land trusts, non-profit corporations and government agencies to expand trail systems before options for trail routes are lost due to development.

There is already some momentum to establish a bicycle trail along the old Annie and Mary Railroad bed from Arcata to Blue Lake. Pat Higgins has found a lot of support from residents for the idea of going even further and completing a trail system that extends from the mouth of the Mad River to the hatchery above Blue Lake; a Mad River Steelhead Parkway.

Pat has a long history of working with agencies and non-profit organizations for the benefit of Humboldt County residents and he will help convene discussions with the cities of Arcata and Blue Lake, the McKinleyville Community Services District, the Blue Lake Rancheria, the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, Redwood Community Action Agency, land trusts and private land owners to make a Mad River Steelhead Parkway happen. Once agreement is reached, RCAA and the land trusts can help acquire funding and get the job done.

A system of linked trails along the lower Mad River would also provide young people fishing access today and in perpetuity. Many north coast rivers have been lost to fishermen more and more fishing holes and points of access have been closed off. The character of McKinleyville and Blue Lake would change greatly if the communities no longer were able to use this valuable recreational resource.

Pat also wants to explore potential use of funds to help maintain rural roads that also can double as bicycle travel routes. The concept is being explored by Redwood Community Action Agency under a "Healthy Rural Roads" project (http://www.nrsrcaa.org/nrs/hrr/index.html)