2017 Accomplishments
|
The Friends of Montclair RR Trail wishes to thank our many dedicated volunteers and generous contributors for their ongoing support. Our appreciation, too, for the expertise and assistance provided by the great people at the City of Oakland, the Montclair Village Association, and other community organizations with whom we've worked throughout the year.
 Cortereal Corner
Beauty and Enjoyment
• Installed more native plants at La Salle Avenue trail entrance and in swale near Cortereal, using plants and organic soil from local native-plant nurseries – Planted seeds of California poppies – Arranged and helped pay for repairs to the City’s drip irrigation systems – Repaired protective deer fencing around newly planted areas • Planted five new oak trees – Obtained donation of all five trees, and picked up from grower in Alameda – Added stakes and protective fencing for each tree – Installed drip irrigation lines to new trees and to one new flannel bush, with water generously donated by nearby residents • Regularly cleaned up graffiti, using environmentally friendly products whenever possible • Picked up dog waste and trash as needed on- and off-trail • Periodically swept paved areas of trail 
|
Workday Crew!
New plants for La Salle Avenue entry
Safety and Maintenance
• Removed garbage & debris from the entire trail as a registered “Creek to Bay” site • Regularly refilled dog waste stations (with earth-rated bags donated by Pet Food Express) • Posted safety and hazard alerts on the trail’s community notice board • Teamed with other volunteer groups to remove large infestations of French Broom, to establish better fire barriers • Remediated or reported various trail concerns: – Limbed, cut up and stacked dead tree branches, and coordinated with the City for disposal (to reduce fuel load) – Installed flags/signs to mark potentially dangerous issues until they could be resolved – Reported stressed or fallen trees, landslides & other serious conditions to the City • Cleaned-up eucalyptus and oak leaf debris, to reduce fire danger 
|
|
Preservation and Restoration
• Maintained new native plants through dry spells, with periodic hand watering • Pulled out ivy, French broom and other non-native and invasive plants • Dead-headed blooms, to ensure vitality of native flowers at top of Cortereal Corner • Mulched areas near Cortereal (for weed suppression and better water retention) • Worked with PG&E's transmission tower project team on restoration plans for the west and east meadow areas 
|
|
Improvements
Before
|
|
• Improved the School Trail stairs, and built more steps
• Added mulch to entire School Trail, to keep school kids’ feet from getting too muddy
• Painted around tunnel and retaining wall at the La Salle Avenue entrance
• Assisted the City of Oakland with new “dogs on leash” signs
• Cleaned and repaired other trail signage
• Added mulch to entire School Trail, to keep school kids’ feet from getting too muddy
• Painted around tunnel and retaining wall at the La Salle Avenue entrance
• Assisted the City of Oakland with new “dogs on leash” signs
• Cleaned and repaired other trail signage
|
Education and Awareness
• Distributed information of potential interest to the trail community (and posted it on Nextdoor and on www.MontclairRRTrail.org) • Sent monthly email announcements about upcoming volunteer workdays and other activities to encourage participation • Working with Oakland Parks & Rec, developed a handout explaining why the trail is a “dogs on leash” space and to encourage everyone’s compliance with the current leash laws • Began development of a “talks and walks” program, to attune visitors to the natural history and other noteworthy features of the trail (more on this coming soon! 
In General
• Planned and held 12 productive volunteer workdays
– Recruited and trained new volunteers – Volunteers donated over 860 hours in time to trail upkeep and special projects • Addressed questions, concerns and suggestions posed by the community • Conducted multiple walk-throughs with City personnel to promote the trail and its interests, and to address issues • Held monthly Board meetings, distributed minutes, developed proposals and coordinated issue resolution and activities throughout the year • Purchased and maintained tools and other supplies for use by volunteers |
|
Thank you all for your interest and support. We're looking forward to a safe, happy and rewarding 2018 with you.
Alex, Barbara, Bernadette, Henry, Jeff, Lin
Board Members
Alex, Barbara, Bernadette, Henry, Jeff, Lin
Board Members