Cupertino will complete its $700,000 share of the 12-mile San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail by the end of this year. The four-month construction begins this month and is expected to finish in December, according to Cupertino Public Works Director Ralph Qualls.

The trail will eventually begin at Highway 237 on the northern edge of Santa Clara and follow the San Tomas Aquino and Saratoga creeks southward to the northern edge of Saratoga.

"Eventually they want to build the trail from Saratoga to the Bay, but that will be a long time from now," said David Knapp, Cupertino city manager.

Cupertino's section will make its way into the city from Santa Clara on Pruneridge Avenue, then turn south and follow Tantau Avenue, pass Interstate 280 and cross Stevens Creek Boulevard, then turn eastbound on Barnhart Avenue and, finally, follow Saratoga Creek along Lawrence Expressway into neighboring San Jose.

The trail does not follow the creek all the way by taking a detour on Pruneridge, Tantau and Barnhart avenues because "there is no solution for 280," said Knapp, referring to the difficulty of crossing Highway 280 where the creek flows.

The trail section on Barnhart and Tantau was completed last year, Qualls said. The upcoming construction will connect the existing section at Barnhart and Sterling Boulevard and extend the trail southbound into San Jose.

Although construction of the trail takes only about four months, the city has spent three years on "pre-construction" work, which includes designing the trail, preparing the streets and the creek where the trail follows, considering bidding on the project and, most important, coordinating with the other involved parties.

There are four parties involved in the Cupertino section of the trail--Cupertino, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water District and San Jose Water Company.

According to Knapp, so far the city has spent the majority of the time working out agreements with these parties, who own properties where the trail passes through Cupertino.

Saratoga was invited to join in the planning process to possibly extend the planned trail into Saratoga, said Logan Deimler, chair of Saratoga's parks and recreation commission's subcommittee on trails. But, at that time, the city chose not to be involved. That is something that may change, he said.

"That project is something we are aware of," Deimler said. "We are pro-trails and trying to look at all our various options."

If the city chooses not to pursue a trail along its section of the Union Pacific Rail line, a trail connected to the ones in Cupertino could be an alternative, he said.

Throughout the planning process, Cupertino has worked closely with the community, which has supported the project. People from the Rancho Rinconada neighborhood are especially eager to have this trail because they have no parks in their area.

"People seem to be happy with the trail. I haven't heard any objections," Knapp said.

"Their reactions have been positive," Qualls added. "I haven't heard any complaints, only inquiries."

Kate Carter contributed to this report.