Help Keep City Trails Safe and Clean: City of Arcata

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

With nearly 40 miles of trails in Arcata, there are many opportunities for residents and visitors to take a stroll, ride, roll, or walk throughout the City. The Environmental Services Department would like to share some tips to help keep Arcata’s trails safe and clean for all to enjoy.

Pet Owners and Equestrians:

• Keep dogs on a leash. Leashes protect dogs from becoming lost and from disturbing people, other dogs, sensitive habitats and wildlife. Keeping dogs leashed is not just a good practice, it is also City law. Dogs must always be kept on a sturdy leash under six feet long on Arcata’s trails.
• Scoop the poop. Picking up pet waste and throwing it in the trash helps keep harmful bacteria, parasites and plastic bags out of local waterways. Protect water quality and human health by following City law. All pet owners are encouraged to use the “Dogipot” pet waste bag dispenser stations across Arcata when needed. To download or print the map of dispenser locations, visit cityofarcata.org/779/Pet-Waste.
• Do not train horses on high-traffic or shared-use trails. Please familiarize horses with expected trail encounters before heading out on busy trails. Always greet other trail users early, as hikers and bikers must yield to horses, but be aware that some inexperienced trail users may be intimidated by horses or unsure what to do when approached.

Mountain Bikers, Bicyclists and Skaters:

• Be prepared to stop. When mountain biking, skating or rolling on City trails, trail users must always be prepared to stop to let hikers, horses or uphill traffic go first. Always ride or roll at a controllable pace to be able to slow down for others and anticipate other trail users around blind corners.
• Helmets. Helmets should always be worn by people of all ages while mountain biking. Those 17 years old and younger are required to wear helmets whether biking, skating or otherwise rolling on trails.
• E-bikes must follow bicycle etiquette. E-bikes are welcome on City trails designated for bicycles and must follow the same trail etiquette as other bicycles, including safe speeds and yielding protocol.
• Unauthorized motorized vehicles are not allowed in the City’s forests. This includes gas-powered machines such as dirt bikes, ATVs and mopeds.

Hikers and All Trail Users:

• Stay on trail and know when to yield. Trail users must stay on designated trails and know what to do when other hikers, bikers, skaters, horses and wildlife approach. When enjoying the trails with a group, hike single file and be sure not to take up more than half of the trail so others can pass safely. Trail users are also encouraged to stay off wet trails as often as possible.
• Leave no trace. Always be sure to pack out trash and dispose of it in a trash can.
• Get rid of hitchhiker species. After recreating, clean all gear, boots, pets and vehicles, especially before entering a new area to prevent the spread of invasive species.

• Closing time. Arcata’s public parks, including the Community Forest and the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, are closed between sunset and sunrise.
• Trail closures. There will be periodic detours on popular trails. Construction on the Arcata Annie & Mary Trail continues between Sunset Avenue and the Mad River. Maintenance and restoration projects in the Arcata Marsh will lead to trail closures later this summer and into the fall. Please follow all posted signs and closures to limit your risk of injury and to allow the contractor to continue working uninterrupted. Visit cityofarcata.org/1070/Closure-Alerts-for-Trails-Roads-Open-Spa to see current or planned closures of Arcata trails, roads and open spaces.

For more information on City trails, please call the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184, send an email to [email protected], or visit cityofarcata.org/320/Parks-Facilities-Natural-Resources. To learn more trail etiquette and safety tips from the CA State Parks, visit parks.ca.gov.