Opinion: Why Cloverleaf Is Vital for the Monrovia Hillside Wilderness Preserve

In a previous post ( http://goo.gl/sX3x5z ) I gave my thoughts on the gate that accesses the Monrovia Hillside Wilderness Preserve from Ridgeside Drive, and a reader asked for an update on the Cloverleaf entrance to the area. I want to answer that question and two more questions that haven't been asked, so ...

1. What is happening with the Cloverleaf entry point?
2. What am I missing back in those hills?
3. Why is the Cloverleaf entry point so important?

What is happening with the Cloverleaf entry point?

The Cloverleaf entry point is not open because it needs a right-of-way from private property owners. On October 27 of this year ( http://goo.gl/ctqLh2 ) I was told that the city had completed its appraisal and was ready to meet with the property owners.

A few days ago (Nov. 25) I got an update from Director of Community Services Tina Cherry, who wrote:

"We have contact[ed] one of the property owners to discuss our next step; however, they will not be available to discuss until the first of the year. We will continue to do our best to reach out to the second owner and move this forward."

I believe Cherry is trying to get this done, but I am disappointed that this discussion will not begin until the first of next year.

What am I missing back in those hills?

Well, the other day I took these pictures on the road going down toward the Cloverleaf exit. A very pretty area and I am anxious to for others to enjoy it as well.

The problem is that at the bottom of the road you encounter this patriotic but very locked gate, and are faced with the dilemma of violating someone's property rights or going all the way back the way you came.

Why is the Cloverleaf entry point so important?

The Hillside Wilderness Preserve cannot really be enjoyed by most people unless Cloverleaf is opened. Consider this map (and please forgive my poor graphics skills).

Suppose you began a hike or bike ride at the corner of Myrtle and Hillcrest, at the big blue dot. Following the blue line I've marked out, you walk up Hillcrest, onto Canyon, then Ridgecrest, then take what looks like a driveway to get to the Wilderness Preserve gate (the red bar), which you climb over and continue up, up, up to a point just before it says "New Trail." Congrats! You've made it to the top, and from your starting point you have climbed about 710 vertical feet (if my map reading is correct), plus a few miles horizontally.

Now you head down, taking the zig-zag New Trail to avoid crossing private property. Down, down, down, down. About 600 vertical feet down to the Cloverleaf gate. Plus some more mileage.

Whew! You are almost back at your starting point. You've had a great hike today and are glad you are almost done.

But no!

The Cloverleaf gate (the other red bar) is closed, locked, and you will either violate private property if you climb it or squeeze through, or you will have to keep following the blue line and climb all the way back up and circle back the way you came.

It would be so much easier if you could just continue on the purple line to get back to your starting point.

Hopefully sometime very soon.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at the Taqueria el Diablo

Lunch at the new Taqueria el Diablo at the corner of Myrtle and Olive. Got two chorizo tacos at $1.50 each and a medium horchata for $2.75. I wasn't brave enough to try the beef cheek, beef tongue, snouts, or intestines, but the chorizo tacos were excellent. 

  

- Brad Haugaard

Opinion: Monrovia, Please Reopen the Gate to the Hillside Preserve!

The public access gate off of Ridgeside Drive to Monrovia's Hillside Wilderness Preserve (map: http://goo.gl/PNzQYT ), which has been open most of this year, has now been locked tight, but is still officially open - Hikers can climb over the gate and bicyclists can lift their bikes over the gate or lay them down and shove them under the gate.

I asked Director of Community Services Tina Cherry why the Ridgeside gate has been locked. She responded:

"A few of the residents near Ridgeside voiced their concerns about seeing motor bikes in the Hillside. As you know unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind are not allowed and our Park Rangers patrol the Hillside twice a day, every day. The area is still open and accessible. Until the new gate can be installed, we wanted to give the area residents peace of mind that no unauthorized vehicles will be accessing the area.

"As for the new gate," she added, "we want the location to be reviewed and approved by adjacent property owners. We hope to reach an agreement in the coming weeks and install the gate, shortly thereafter."

And in response to a later question she added this:

"The thought was that pedal-power bikes can be lifted over the gate or slid under the gate; whereas someone may have more difficulty with a motorized bike. The future gate will have a separate pedestrian access, where if someone wanted to walk a bike through they could. Keeping out all unauthorized vehicles is a challenge and we are trying our best to find a balance between allowing approved access and restricting unapproved access."

It seemed that if the city wanted to exclude motorized bikes, there should be a sign at the gate prohibiting them. I looked and didn't see one, so I asked if it wouldn't be a good idea to just post a notice that motorized vehicles are not allowed.

Cherry said there is a sign. She wrote:

"Our hope would be that the signs are enough to eliminate any unlawful activity; however, that has not been the case. The attached picture shows a sign at Ridgeside where we have referenced no unauthorized vehicles, including the Municipal Code. I can see how additional clarification regarding motorized vehicles could be helpful. We will take time to review this a bit more."

Here is the picture:

I have blown up the part of the picture that shows the prohibition against unauthorized vehicles.

Yes, I completely agree that this sign could use additional clarification. I imagine one reason the sign hasn't eliminated unlawful activity is because it is unclear. I find it difficult to imagine why someone riding a little electric- or gas-assist bike would suppose this rule - illustrated by what is clearly an automobile - referred to him or her.

I'm glad that, as Cherry says, this decision will be reviewed, because I think the gate should be reopened even while the city is planning a new gate. To lock a gate to an area the public should have easy access to because someone - who may have had no clue he or she was violating the law - rode a motor-assisted bicycle up the trail seems very unfair. I think that once the prohibition is clearly posted, then the solution should be to give warnings or tickets to those who violate the law, which should not be hard since, as she mentioned, the Park Rangers "patrol the Hillside twice a day, every day."

To most people a locked gate means "keep out" or "closed," and that is the wrong message to send to people who are approaching an area that is in fact open, and which they are entitled to enter, and which they have been waiting something like 15 years for reasonable access to, and which they have been paying for through their taxes for year after year.

I don't want to be overly critical because I know the city has made some effort to open this area, but I think closing this gate was the wrong move.

- - -

Some history: Monrovians approved a bond measure something like 15 years ago to purchase this area as an open-to-the-public preserve, but both ends of this trail have been locked shut until January of this year, at which time a new gate was installed at the Ridgeside entrance and the old gate behind it was left open ( http://goo.gl/K5IGAk ). Then, recently, the new gate was removed but the old gate remained open enough so hikers and bicyclists, but not cars, could still walk or ride through ( http://goo.gl/zeccIn ). Now both ends of the trail are again locked shut. The gate at the other end of the trail, at the end of Cloverleaf Drive, has never been opened.

- Brad Haugaard

Rain Coming? | AeroVironment Stock Takes Hit | Monrovia's First Fire Engine

~ Chance of rain starting at 20% Sunday, 10% Monday, then 90% on Tuesday and 60% Wednesday. http://goo.gl/y4VXa7

~ The stock of Monrovia's AeroVironment has taken a tumble following a poor second-quarter earnings report. From a recent high on Nov. 25 of $30.69 down to $27.56 early today (Nov. 28). http://goo.gl/ZX2slF

~ Pictures and story about the restoration of Monrovia's first fire engine, a 1917 Seagrave. http://goo.gl/38FiSu

- Brad Haugaard

Special Development Zone Proposed for Monrovia's Aztec Hotel

Monrovia's historic Aztec Hotel - between Magnolia and Melrose avenues on Foothill - needs the city to cut it some slack if it is going to succeed (rough paraphrase of the city report), so city staff is recommending the City Council "create a Planed Development Area and Zone" for the property, which will give the owners a bit more flexibility than is current allowed under existing zoning, but also lets the city veto stuff it doesn't like. (Details: http://goo.gl/mzDzrZ ). The council will consider the proposal at its Dec. 2 meeting (full agenda: http://goo.gl/3XL1CQ ).

- Brad Haugaard

First Test Gold Line Train Coming to Monrovia in December

The Gold Line is planning to run its first test train into Monrovia in early December. Here's a picture of a crew installing overhead cable: http://goo.gl/XkmjUR

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman's Death Being Investigated | Swap Christmas Lights for LEDs

~ Thirty-one-year-old Monrovia woman dead. Sheriff's Department investigating. http://goo.gl/oS3zsh

~ Swap your incandescent Christmas lights for energy-efficient LED lights from 6-8 p.m. at the Dec. 12 Friday Night Family Festival. http://goo.gl/h1AL3A

AeroVironment Has Second Quarter Loss | Holden Named Majority Floor Leader

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment announced a $2.9 million loss for its second quarter, compared with a $1.7 million profit for the second quarter of last year. http://goo.gl/2SX0S2

~ California Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins announced that Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, has been appointed Majority Floor Leader. The Majority Floor Leader represents the Speaker on the Assembly Floor and expedites Floor proceedings. Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Stop Hunger Now Event in Monrovia

Video: KGEM host Ralph Walker visits the Stop Hunger Now event hosted by Monrovia Rotary Club and Monrovia High School Interact Club. http://goo.gl/iC7L0G

- Brad Haugaard

Video of Monrovia Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

Video of the Monrovia Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is now online. Here is a link to the whole thing ( http://goo.gl/IWQl60 ) and here is a link to the main speaker, Pastor Albert Tate of Fellowship Monrovia: http://goo.gl/OoWmEd

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sawing Into a House; Fight Over Female; Woman Beaten; Forgery; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 20-23. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Fraud/Forgery – Suspect Arrested
On November 20 at 3:41 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 400 block of West Foothill regarding a fraud in progress. The female suspect was contacted by officers and detained for attempting to pass an altered/fictitious check. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. She was later released on citation to appear in court on the forgery charges.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
On November 20 at 3:46 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of North Myrtle on the report of a suspicious vehicle parked on private property. The two occupants were contacted and detained. One suspect was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. The reporting party also desired prosecution against both suspects for trespassing. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
On November 21 at 8:30 p.m., a hit and run traffic accident was reported on the 210 Freeway. The suspect vehicle had already been located, as it had been pulled over by an officer in the area of Huntington and Encinitas before the hit and run was reported. The driver of the vehicle was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Residential Burglary
On November 21 at 5:39 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 500 block of North Alta Vista. The suspects gained entry through the garage. They cut a hole in the wall from the garage to the house, then through a wall under the staircase. Money and jewelry was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs – Suspect Arrested
On November 22 at 1:00 a.m., an officer was following a suspected drunk driver. When the officer activated his overhead lights, the suspect vehicle crashed into a parked car. The suspect was determined to be intoxicated on prescription medication. The suspect was arrested.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
On November 22 at 4:30 p.m., officers were sent to a park in the 700 block of East Lemon on the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers determined a fight had occurred between two male subjects who were angry with each other over a female. One of the male subjects sustained a minor injury to his eye, and he placed the other male subject under a private person's arrest for battery. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto
On November 23 at 7:04 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of West Cypress. The vehicle is a white, two-door, 1996 Honda Accord. The vehicle was taken Between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
On November 23 at 2:14 p.m., a female victim of domestic violence ran into the police lobby, stating her husband had beaten her up. The victim had visible injuries and complained of pain. Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded to the lobby and treated the victim. The suspect was found sitting in his vehicle in front of his residence. The suspect was arrested without incident.

Vehicle Burglary
On November 23 at 7:52 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of West Colorado. The victim parked her vehicle on the second floor of the parking structure. She locked her vehicle and left for about fifteen minutes. When she returned, she saw her vehicle was open and her wallet and identification were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Monrovia Holiday Home Decorating Contest

If you want to enter Monrovia's Holiday Home Decorating contest, the entry form is here: http://goo.gl/eKFz52

Judging will be on Monday, Dec. 15. Winners will be recognized during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Categories are:

• Best Still Display
• Best Outdoor Display
• Best Decorated Outdoor Tree
• Best Window Display
• Holiday Spirit Award
• Most Effective Use of Outdoor Holiday Lighting
• Toyland Award
• Children’s Choice Award
• Best Neighborhood Effort
• Snowman Award
• Judges’ Award
• Tim McKeehan “Best of Season” Award

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Out of Playoffs :-(

Los Altos bumps Monrovia (45-35) out of the playoffs. http://goo.gl/FYvs39

- Brad Haugaard

Holiday Concert at Monrovia's First Presbyterian | Rotary Helps Package 14,000 Meals

~ The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company presents its "Holiday Concert" on Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia. A festive musical collection of seasonal favorites with music by Holst, Britten, Tallis, Robles, and more. Complete with bells, drums, and several sing-along selections. It will include the voices of the new SGVCC-sponsored "Kids in Concert!" program for kindergartners through fifth graders at Monrovia's Monroe Elementary School.

~ Monrovia Rotary Club joined Interact students from Monrovia High School to package more than 14,000 meals for the Stop Hunger Now project. http://goo.gl/sK4Zxd

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at ABC Hawaiian BBQ

Lunch at ABC Hawaiian BBQ, in the Pavilions parking lot at Foothill and Myrtle. Got the Hawaiian BBQ Mix ($8.95) and a drink ($1.69). It's a mix of beef, chicken and short ribs, with rice and macaroni salad on the side. Light on veggies. I particularly liked the chicken. Good if you are in the mood for meat and carbs. 

- Brad Haugaard