Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Trail Watch volunteer Tony Simms patrols above Lexington Reservoir.

Returning the Favor

Hikers, equestrians and bikers enjoy giving back to the park system

By Patricia M. Gray

Tony Simms is an avid mountain biker. "I ride constantly," Simms said, "especially during the weekends." Twice a month Simms 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 and using the trails," Simms said, "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, get good exercise and self-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--hot-dogging and racing corners," Simms said. "But I would like to show that others are contributing and working with other groups, sharing the trails together and having a good time."

Trail Watch volunteers patrol county park trails, helping park visitors, identifying and reporting hazards and providing basic first aid. The program began in 1986. Currently, 73 hikers, equestrians, skaters and bikers are actively patrolling. "The importance of the program is that without Trail Watch, we have back-country areas or lesser-used areas that wouldn't get patrolled ... as [they] should," said Chris Crockett, volunteer coordinator for the program. "They are helping [rangers] by patrolling areas they may not get to. When it's busy in the park, the [park rangers] are concentrating on the areas where all the activity is."

Trail Watch's summer academy 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.

The program is made up of 30 percent hikers, 30 percent bikers and 40 percent equestrian volunteers, but still needs more hikers and bikers. "[We are] 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 said. "[And] we are still looking to increase the number of bicyclists. It would be nice to have more bicyclists to educate on proper riding and where they can ride and so forth."

Also, a new element for 1996 is the dog companion category. "We have a number of trails [where] dogs are permitted," Crockett said. "We figured it makes sense that if people are patrolling those trails and they wanted to bring their dog, they could."

LeRoy Rodriguez, park ranger for Sanborn, would like to see more volunteers patrol Saratoga's trails. "We would like to see people at least try and go through the academy," Rodriguez said. "If they want to do their watch at this park that would be excellent, but if they want to choose another park that would be fine as well."

Rodriguez says Sanborn offers the peace and quiet of a redwood forest during the weekdays. "I think people like to do their watch at busier parks, like Los Gatos Creek trail. You get more activity there, and occasionally, you would be able to assist the maintenance staff," Rodriguez said. "But trail-watching at Sanborn offers the opposite--it's a quiet and peaceful park."

However, Sanborn receives a lot of weekend visitors. "On the average Saturday and Sunday, we get about 1,000 people," Rodriguez said, "including [those who are] fishing, camping, hiking, and [are in] the youth hostel area."

The county reports that most volunteers don't have a problem accruing the required 48 hours per year. Brian Ryckewart, a mountain biker volunteer and recent 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 said, "and I'm out in the park all the time."

Volunteers find the training educational. "You feel good because if there is any emergency, you are able to help people," said Steve Crockett, Chris Crockett's brother and Sanborn hiker volunteer. "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 that [people] are using the volunteering program as a means to explore parks they've never been to," Chris Crockett said. "Some groups or individuals like going to the same park over and over; they do it because they are 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 said. "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."

However, the county reports many volunteers schedule patrol times at different parks. "People are using it as a recreation activity while volunteering," Crockett said.

In addition to Saratoga's Sanborn park, 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 blades: Coyote Creek trail and Los Gatos Creek trail.

"The volunteers are basically a second set of eyes for the rangers," said Ken Hallsy, Sanborn hiker/biker volunteer. "I hope that we are 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!"

In addition to patrolling, volunteers may be asked to help with special events. "When we have a special need, we have a database [of volunteers] that are already qualified," Chris Crockett said. "It works out really well for the department, and our ranger staff really appreciates what they do."

Volunteering provides opportunities to discover and learn new things.

"What I like about it is that I feel it is a good way to get to know the county parks better," Hallsy said. "Prior, I never appreciated what great parks we have. Then when I got into it, I enjoyed the idea of giving something back to the parks, along with the healthy benefits."

Besides the feelings of goodwill, the county states that volunteers receive many benefits including: the opportunity to meet new friends while learning new skills; helping make a positive impact on county parks; receiving the "Volunteer" newsletter; and invitations to volunteer recognition celebrations and other volunteer events.

The Parks Department values the program. "The Trail Watch program is highly beneficial to the Department," said 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."

Romero said he is proud of the program and often shares its achievements with his peers. "Our successes are many," Romero said. "[The program] 1) allows shared relationship and responsibility in similar interest areas; 2) gives opportunity for feedback by users and provider; 3) allows individuals to serve their community in a fun setting; 4) expands resources and thereby allows parks to open more trails; and 5) reduces pressure on staff to be in all places at same time."

The program has evolved over time, but no volunteer program is ever perfect. "Trail Watch improvements could be: 1) more involvement by broader community base, 2) expand Trail Watch to other areas," Romero said, "and 3) more visibility to participants and field staff, and 4) a foundation of gifts/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 will take 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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