The Carpinteria Planning Commission has voted to support the city’s acquisition of 0.61 acres for a public park that would allow full coastal trail access.
“I’m very pleased to see this moving forward,” commission vice chairman David Allen said. “It’s one more step in a great direction.”
The Mannion parcels, on the west side of Carpinteria Creek, are the second segment in a proposed trail that would eventually connect the existing Carpinteria Avenue bike path to the Eighth Street bridge and allow for ultimate coastal access, according to Syndi Souter, associate planner in the Community Development Department.
The bike path that comes out of the north side of Carpinteria Avenue will loop around to be accessible on the south side as well, said Steve Goggia, director of the Community Development Department.
“This is still a little ways out, but it is in the near future plan for this property,” Goggia said.
The acquisition of three segments would be the next step in finishing the connection, according to Souter.
“Acquiring this property is another piece of the puzzle falling into place for that future bike path extension,” said Nick Bobroff, a principal planner of Community Development.
The public expressed support for the project, with the understanding that the area will be policed to discourage transient camping or other nonsanctioned public use.
The acquisition was approved by the commission on Tuesday. It will go to the City Council for a final decision.
— Noozhawk staff writer Jade Martinez-Pogue can be reached at jmartinez-pogue@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.