2020 Accomplishments

We miss our many trail volunteers and friends. Please stay healthy and be safe. We hope to see you soon.

Dear Friends of Montclair Railroad Trail,

The year 2020 was certainly unusual for all, including the Railroad Trail. Fortunately, it has become a welcome outdoor refuge for the community with many newcomers and dogs enjoying the trail.

Once COVID-19 brought social distancing and mask wearing to our lives, many things were curtailed including our familiar monthly volunteer workdays. However, to ensure that the trail is an enjoyable experience for all, Board Members of the Friends of Montclair Railroad Trail have continued to work quietly behind the scenes to remove graffiti quickly, pick up trash, sweep, and clean up overflowing garbage cans. We always welcome your help in keeping the trail clean.

In addition to regular maintenance, here are the projects Board Members accomplished:

Repaired and repainted (with the help of a handyman) the crumbling retaining wall at the stairs at La Salle Avenue.
Planted and nursed new plants to the left of the trail as you walk up from the Cortereal Avenue entrance.
Filled and painted rotting wood on the tops of the posts of two long retaining walls above La Salle Avenue and along the trail toward Montclair School.
Cleared the swale near the tunnel of overgrowth to reduce fire danger.
Installed asphalt around a drain at the Cortereal Avenue entrance to decrease puddles, mud, and a potential trip hazard.
Purchased, assembled, and installed an additional larger shed at the Oakland Corporation Yard for our equipment and supplies.

Special kudos to Board Member Jeff Kahn. The trail would not be the clean, well-kept trail that it is without his dedicated work. Jeff regularly removes graffiti, trash, and dog waste from the trail and its surroundings. He also fills the dog waste bag dispensers to the tune of 15,000 bags annually. Waste bags are generously donated by Pet Food Express.

The Board Members join me in wishing you a safe and healthy new year and thanking you for your support. May the Montclair Railroad Trail be part of your enjoyment.

Barbara Brochard, Chair, Friends of Montclair Railroad Trail

Meet Henry, a long standing Board Member. Henry worked very hard (with some help) to build and install our new shed. He also spent money from our budget. Now Henry would like to ask you a favor. Please renew your membership, become a member, or send a donation to help fund this and our many other maintenance, repair, and beautification activities.
The annual membership donation is $25 for a household and $50 for a business -- larger amounts are also accepted of course. Your membership helps us buy tools, new plants, and other supplies needed to maintain and improve our trail, and may be tax deductible.

Learn how to sign up and make a donation for calendar year 2021 at our website:
Montclair Railroad Trail - Memberships & Donations
Thank you!

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Financial Report

Total income (memberships and donations) for the fiscal year was $2,625.75, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
Actual expenditures for the year totaled $1,961.67, down 11% from the previous year; the biggest expenditures were for tools -- a full breakdown is below.
There was an additional approved outstanding expenditure of $1,005.86 for an additional storage shed which should be actualized in 2020 -- this will be financed from new memberships/donations and reserves.

PG&E Restoration Project Has Really Taken Hold - July 2020

It's been over a year and a half since restoration planting began in the area of the PG&E tower replacement project and perhaps you've noticed how well the area is flourishing. See more...