The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, in partnership with Santa Barbara County Public Works and neighborhood funders, has completed a new Safe Route to School Trail in the footprint of the 2018 Montecito debris flow.

The San Leandro Neighborhood Trail connects the existing multi-use trail that runs from Summerland to the Ennisbrook Open Space to Santa Rosa Lane in Montecito.

“The community wanted this trail so badly that neighbors got together and raised the funds to build it,” said Abe Powell, CEO/co-founder of Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.

“The Montecito Neighborhood Trail Network is not funded by the government, it is funded by the community, for the community,” Powell said.

This new, quarter-mile long trail with lighted crosswalk was built in support of the Montecito Walk To School Trail Program developed by the Montecito Association, Montecito Fire and local schools.

The San Leandro Neighborhood Trail is a part of the Montecito Neighborhood Trail Network (MNTN) that has been under development by the Bucket Brigade since the Thomas Fire and debris flow disaster response began in January of 2018.

“When we complete a new path, it’s one more link in a system that makes Montecito a more walkable community and improves connectivity to schools, parks, and businesses,” said Chris Sneddon, director, Santa Barbara County Public Works.

“We look forward to working with the Bucket Brigade on more walking paths and other potential additions to the Montecito trail network,” Sneddon said.

To date, the Bucket Brigade has completed 3.5 miles of new roadside trails in the areas affected by the debris flow as part of an ongoing effort to build community resilience, reduce risk, improve evacuation route safety, and increase community connection.

Some 1,155 volunteers have contributed 4,447 hours in community trail restoration and construction projects, the group reports.

The goal of the MNTN is to create an eight-mile network of trails that connect all of the schools, churches, businesses and parks with safer, pedestrian access.

The Bucket Brigade thanks its community partners on the project: Santa Barbara County Public Works, Montecito Bank and Trust, and Steve Hanson Landscaping.

“In pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, people are more connected,” Powell said. “After the fire and debris flow and during the pandemic we learned how important that connection was.

“The Bucket Brigade is built on community connection and a steadfast commitment to safety, cooperation and resilience.”

Upcoming trails include:
2025: Middle Road Neighborhood Trail (November 2025)
2026: Sycamore Canyon Neighborhood Trail (contingent on fundraising)

For more, contact the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade: contactus@sbbucketbrigade.org; Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade P.O. BOX 50640 Santa Barbara, CA 93150