The proposed trail runs 1.6 miles along the newly renovated Congress Springs Park and connects Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road to Saratoga Avenue. It is part of a larger 8.7-mile trail, which has the potential to serve as a link to other significant trails such as the Stevens Creek, Rancho San Antonio County Park, Los Gatos Creek and the Vasona Lake County Park trails.

More than 15 residents stepped up to the podium to voice support and opposition during the meeting, and several attended simply to applaud after each speech.

Gosha Hoot spoke in favor of the trail, claiming it would be a safer alternative to the bike lanes on the street and would get children away from dangerous drivers.

"Some of the bike lanes in the neighborhood are scary," she said. "They seem to get narrower and at some areas disappear completely. There are also many potholes where tires can get caught. With a real trail, there wouldn't be any of these problems."

For local resident Anne Sanguine, the trail would be beneficial aesthetically as well as recreationally.

"The trail would be conducive to activity and would encourage healthy lifestyles among residents," she said. "It would give people an opportunity to visit neighbors, take a trip to a nearby coffee shop or market and walk or bike to school."

However, more activity is just what many residents whose property borders the trail are concerned about.

Maria Gara said she is already seeing evidence of inappropriate behavior by residents who currently use the PG&E-owned easement despite signs that prohibit it. She said she's witnessed teenagers drinking and looking at pornographic magazines on the trail. She also said she sees pet droppings, trash and glass on the trail on a regular basis.

The issue even attracted Aaron Grossman from Mountain View to Saratoga. Grossman, who helped with the creation of the Stevens Creek Trail and monitors the trail's impact on the community, said that the trail has improved the quality of the neighborhood significantly. He added that there have not been any reports of increased criminal activity. In addition, contrary to what some neighbors claimed, Grossman said that most homeowners advertise the trail when they put their property on the market.

The idea of constructing an official trail was first introduced in early 2001 and was discussed in three other cities—Los Gatos, Cupertino and Campbell. According to Cary Bloomquist, staff liaison for the parks and recreation commission, cities started backing out of the plan after discovering that the trail would cost approximately $9.2 million. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority agreed to fund 80 percent of the total cost, under the condition that the cities match 20 percent of it or $1.8 million.

It would cost $1.9 million to construct Saratoga's portion of the trail, of which 80 percent will be funded through the transportation authority, and the remaining 20 percent ($399,515) would have to be picked up by the city. According to Bloomquist, an anonymous donor offered to provide financial support for developing the trail.

Saratogan Aaron Katz said he saw this as a perfect opportunity to serve as a model for other cities.

"Saratoga should become a leader rather than a follower," Katz said. "If the city decides to develop the trail, other cities may do the same."

While some residents urged council members to go forward and build the long-awaited trail, others said it would be a waste of dollars.

"You young punks don't know what money is," resident Bob Wallace told council members, all of whom were present—Mayor Nick Streit, Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith and council members Kathleen King, Norman Kline and Stan Bogosian.

Wallace said he personally solicited estimates from contractors, who charged approximately $40,000 for constructing a 10-foot-wide piece of blacktop pavement.

"I don't want to see money being blown away," Wallace said. "The city should leave that area alone until it can do it at a cheaper price."

Despite pleas to leave the strip of land as is, Waltonsmith said she would like to see the city go forward in creating the trail.

"The trail would be a positive addition for everybody, including those who live next to it," Waltonsmith said.

King and Kline said they were concerned about the future of the open space if the city doesn't act in a timely manner.

King referred to what happened around her property several years ago. She said that the open space surrounding her property was disturbed when apartment buildings were built next to her backyard years after she moved in.

"What's going to happen to this particular piece of land 10 years down the road?" she asked.

Kline extended the discussion about the consequences of making a decision too late in the game.

"If we don't act now, we may be less of a player in the future. Or, we may not be players at all," Kline added.

The issue will be brought back to the table at a later city council meeting. Council members said notices will be sent out to residents prior to that meeting.