Official Actions to Take in the coming Months
We can Make Point Lobos Safer!
We can Make Point Lobos Safer!
Authorities Should Start Working Now so these Solutions Start Working Soon…
Approve the Permit for the Shuttle System
Monterey County and the California Coastal Commission implement (by approving the application already submitted) the ParkIt! shuttle service to safely transport visitors to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Shuttles are planned to run between convenient parking locations in the area and key destinations within Point Lobos.
Multiple organizations (State Parks, Point Lobos Foundation, Big Sur Land Trust, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, Big Sur Marathon Foundation) have been working together for several years to launch a shuttle service for Point Lobos visitors.
The proposed shuttle service balances safety and access.
Currently, officials at Monterey County are considering the permit application for the Point Lobos reservation system, offsite parking and shuttles. After the County’s extensive review, the application will move to the Planning Commission and, if appealed, to the Board of Supervisors.
Implement a Visitor Reservation System
State Parks launches a visitor reservation system for Point Lobos to manage the number of visitors trying to access the Reserve at any one time. This would enable fair access to all. And it would reduce or eliminate the frenzy and dangers on the highway caused by too many contenders for too few parking spaces. The planned reservation system is part of the permit for the shuttle system. It awaits approval by officials at Monterey County and the California Coastal Commission.
Build a Decent Trail for Travelers to Walk from Highway 1 to the Reserve
Caltrans improves the unofficial, extremely rough, incomplete and poison oak ladened walking path to the Point Lobos entrance. Currently, the makeshift trail runs between the shoulder of the highway and state park property. Make this an official, easy to traverse walking path, with multiple entry points from the highway (both north and south of the Reserve). That would get people off an active highway and onto a safe path to enter Point Lobos. (State Parks cannot build this trail as the land is under the control of Caltrans.)