According to Cary Bloomquist, staff liaison for the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has agreed to reserve funding for the proposed 1.6-mile trail near the newly renovated Congress Springs Park. The cost to construct the trail, which includes adding signs and installing accessibility structures, is estimated to be $1,997,577, of which 20 percent has to be matched by the city.

The land is owned by PG&E, but the company has given city officials permission to develop a trail.

Specific plans for the dirt- and rock-covered path are pending residential input, but some trail enthusiasts are already envisioning landscaping and safety devices.

Gayle Hudson, a frequent visitor at the park and user of the trail, said she would like to see some type of barrier separating the trail from the railroad tracks.

"Bushes and flowered plants would be a nice addition," Hudson said. "Not only would it make the area more appealing, it would help prevent pets and smaller children from wandering towards the tracks."

Larry Steinberg, who lives on Via Monte Drive, said he's interested in having softer groundwork or concrete pavement to replace the rocks on the path. He said he used to walk the trail at least twice a week until he started getting knee problems.

The issue of adding a trail is not new to many residents. The idea was first introduced in early 2001, when trail supporters expressed interest in developing an 8.7-mile trail on the Union Pacific Railroad easement running through Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino and Campbell. According to Bloomquist, cities started backing out of the plan after discovering that the trail would cost approximately $9.2 million. The transportation authority agreed to fund 80 percent of the total cost, leaving the four cities responsible for the remaining $1.8 million.

The issue continued through July 2002, with many Saratoga residents voicing opposition to the trail. Approximately 85 residents, most of whom live on Williamsburg and Fredericksburg drives, signed a petition against developing the trail. The issue was then put away.

However, the Parks and Recreation Commission is expecting to bring the issue back to the table at a city council meeting on Oct.1, but this time the project is on a smaller scale.

"We're hoping residents would come and give their input," said Bloomquist.

Jim Stallman, a member of the Silicon Valley Biking Coalition who lives approximately three blocks away from the proposed trail area, said that the trail would be a "great recreational corridor in the West Valley."

Stallman said he used to bike on the trail on a daily basis but now limits his rides there to twice a week.

"It's a real gem," he said. "The trail needs to be acknowledged."

Resident Tom Baker, whose property on Glen Arbor Court backs up to the trail, said he doesn't mind being so close to the trail and hopes the city will realize the need for more recreational places.

"The city should look long and hard at land usage," Baker said. "The city is very limited when it comes to park lands. There's nothing in Saratoga compared to what Los Gatos and Cupertino has to offer."

Some residents on Via Real Drive expressed concern about the proposed trail area.

Sara Hung said she's noticed more people from outside the neighborhood coming to the area after the park was remodeled. She added that the trail would invite more unwanted guests, including rowdy teenagers engaging in suspicious activity.

However, she said that if the strip of land were to be designated as an actual trail, she would like to see signs notifying trail users to be courteous towards residents and officers patrolling the area. She also said she'd like those who walk their dogs to pick up any droppings.

Stallman said he's seen various kinds of dumping and leftover evidence of beer parties, which he described as typical in secluded areas, but believes that "the more people there are walking the trail, the less suspicious activity there will be."

The Oct. 1 city council meeting will be held at the Civic Theater on Fruitvale Avenue at 7 p.m.