Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Steve Crockett talks with hikers Jose Perez (left) and Lorenzo Ibenez while patrolling the trails above Highway 17.

Returning the Favor

Trail enthusiasts enjoy giving back to the park system

By Patricia M. Gray

Tony Simms is an avid mountain biker. "I ride constantly," Simms says, "especially during the weekends." He particularly enjoys riding through Los Gatos' Lexington Park trails. Twice a month he rides officially--patrolling the trails for the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department's Trail Watch volunteer program.

"If you're going to be out there using the trails," Simms says, "you can get a lot of satisfaction by giving something back to the county parks. You get to meet new people, be outdoors, get fresh air, good exercise and satisfaction for helping out and volunteering your time."

Simms joined the program three years ago to show that responsible bikers also share the trails. "I know the reputation some mountain bikers have received for hot-dogging and racing corners," Simms says. "But I'd like to show that some mountain bikers are contributing and working with other groups, sharing the trails together and having a good time."

While they patrol the county parks, Trail Watch volunteers help park visitors, report hazards and provide basic first aid. The program began in 1986. Currently, 73 hikers, equestrians, skaters and bikers actively patrol.

"The importance of the program is that without Trail Watch, we have back-country areas or lesser-used areas that wouldn't get patrolled," says Chris Crockett, volunteer coordinator for the program. "They help by patrolling areas rangers may not get to. When it's busy in the park, the rangers are concentrating on the areas where all the activity is."

The program is made up of 30 percent hikers, 30 percent bikers and 40 percent equestrian volunteers. "We're looking to get more hiking volunteers in the higher use trails like Los Gatos Creek trail, Vasona and Coyote Creek trail in San Jose," Crockett says.

"We'd also like to increase the number of bicyclists, so they could help educate on proper riding, where people can ride and so forth."

A new element for 1997 is the dog companion category. "We have a number of trails where dogs are permitted," Crockett says. "We figured it makes sense that if people are patrolling those trails and they wanted to bring their dog, they could."

Trail Watch's summer academy, where volunteers get their training, will be held at the Field Sports Park Field House in south San Jose on June 3, 5, 11 and 14. Volunteers receive training in first aid, CPR, radio use, visitor contact procedures, parks orientation and scenario training. Additionally, equestrian, bicyclist, skater and companion-dog volunteer candidates must pass a competency-certification test on June 21.

Volunteers are required to schedule and patrol 48 hours per year, and most volunteers don't have a problem reaching that goal.

Brian Ryckewart, a mountain biker volunteer and graduate of the November 1996 Trail Watch Academy, has already logged 100 hours by patrolling only once a week. "It's a matter of being out there and giving something back to the park," Ryckewart says, "and I'm out in the various parks all the time."

Ryckewart says of the training: "I thought it was a good way to meet people, and it got me to meet a lot of the key people in the parks department." He also enjoyed the first-aid sessions. "The class got me acquainted with it, and now I'm part of first response--the next step up."

Steve Crockett, Chris' brother and a hiker volunteer, appreciates the training as well. "You feel good because if there is any emergency, you're able to help people," he says. "I carry a radio; if there are any problems--if people are hurt and they need a ranger--I can call it in."

The first Santa Clara County Park, Stevens Creek, was established in 1924. Since then, the system has grown to 28 parks, with a total of 42,000 acres of outdoor recreational facilities and open space. "The nice thing is, people are using the volunteering program as a means to explore parks they've never been to," Chris Crockett says. "Some groups or individuals like going to the same park over and over; they do it because they're comfortable with it or because it's convenient for them. They're out using the park every day anyway, so they might as well patrol it."

Steve Crockett falls into that category. "It's a neat program; I go out and hike the trail anyway," he says. "It also gives me a chance to give direct input to the rangers and tell them if there is any trail maintenance to take care of or problem areas."

Other volunteers schedule patrol times at different parks. "People are using it as a recreation activity while volunteering," Chris Crockett says.

In addition to the local county parks in Los Gatos, volunteers can patrol the trails in the following county parks:

Bicycling: Coyote Creek trail, Santa Teresa, Ed R. Levin, Joseph D. Grant, Lexington Reservoir, Los Gatos Creek Trail, Stevens Creek, Upper Stevens Creek.

Equestrian: Almaden-Quicksilver, Calero Reservoir, Coyote Creek trail, Santa Teresa, Ed R. Levin, Joseph D. Grant, Mount Madonna, Sanborn/Skyline, Upper Stevens Creek.

Motorcycle/ATV Riding: Metcalf

Hiking: All parks except Metcalf

Roller Blading: Coyote Creek trail and Los Gatos Creek trail.

"The volunteers are basically a second set of eyes for the rangers," hiker/biker volunteer Ken Hallsy says. "I hope that we're making people's time in the county parks more enjoyable by providing help or at least getting information to a ranger. And it's great exercise!"

Ryckewart shares Hallsy's enthusiasm. "The rangers benefit from the program. Especially now that I'm becoming a ranger, I see that it takes a load off," Ryckewart says. "They can work on other projects because there are very few rangers for the amount of acres per park."

In addition to patrolling the trails, volunteers may be asked to help with special events. When needs arise, the ranger staff can turn to its database of qualified volunteers.

Marti Mordecai, a hiker volunteer for Vasona Lake and Los Gatos Creek trail, once played Rufus the Forest Bear at an event. "I wore an enormous costume and made a fuss for kids in a parade. It was fun," Mordecai says.

John Spaay, a mountain biker volunteer, patrols Vasona Lake three times a week while getting his aerobic exercise. "I like the feeling that I'm making a contribution to the community, the trail and the park. I like the feeling of accomplishment--the fact that I ride to Vasona and back home to Willow Glen."

The volunteers certainly appreciate the program, but they're not the only fans. "The Trail Watch program is highly beneficial to the department," says Paul Romero, director of the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. "It expands our visibility on trails and provides immediate response to questions, injuries or visitor support."

The program has evolved over time, but no volunteer program is ever perfect. Romero says the department would like to see more involvement by a broader community base, expansion of the Trail Watch program to other areas and foundation funding to support the program.

The Summer 1997 Trail Watch Academy will be held June 3, 5 and 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The academy takes place at the Field Sports Park Field House in South San Jose. For more information or to register, call 354-4902.

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