BY SARA TABIN
Daily Post Staff Writer
Windy Hill Nature Preserve has been shut down because too many people went hiking and didn’t stay at least six feet from each other.
Entrances to the preserve have been taped off with “closed” signs.
Portola Valley Mayor Jeff Aalfs posted a note on the town page on Friday explaining that the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District had decided to close the preserve.
The decision was made the same day San Mateo County decided to close county parks after receiving a 300% increase in visitors.
“Many of you have voiced concerns over the heavy traffic in and around Windy Hill, and I share those concerns,” wrote Aalfs. “Like you, I cherish Windy Hill, both as a resource for Portola Valley residents, and as a popular destination which we share with the rest of San Mateo County and the Peninsula. However, I am pleased that they have made this decision, and I will ask you to respect the closure by not visiting.”
Palo Alto parks, including Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, remain open but park parking lots are closed to discourage excessive traffic.
We’re not allowed to go to work and have been out hiking and getting some exercise. The risk of infection by just walking in a park seems very minimal.
Clearly, the seriousness of the situation is not understood by the people who decided it would be acceptable to go hiking without respecting the physical distancing requirement. Or the shelter in place order for that matter. Stop complaining. Stay Home. The more people who respect the shelter in place order and stay home, means we all have to stay at home to flatten the curve for a shorter time. That’s why. Get it yet? No? How about Natural Selection?
…and the solution is to punish everyone? We pay MPROSD many millions of dollars to patrol and maintain, not to shut down.
Subject: Windy Hill Closure
Note: This was sent to the MPOSD. They just acknowledged the email.The MPOSD site indicates that Windy Hill was closed on the request of Portola Valley. Portola Valley makes it sound like it was due to the MPOSD.
What was the rational provided by Portola Valley for asking the Mid-peninsula Open Space District to close Windy Hill? There is ample parking and the fire road is over six feet wide. This is our favorite place to walk.
I notice that the Horse Park at Woodside is open to all members, except for events. I guess that you need to pay over $1,000 per year if you want to enjoy some open space in that area. Has Portola Valley suggested they shut down?
Patrick Butler
Palo Alto
Subject: Windy Hill Closure
What was the rational provided by Portola Valley for asking the Mid-peninsula Open Space District to close Windy Hill? There is ample parking and the fire road is over six feet wide. This is our favorite place to walk.
I notice that the Horse Park at Woodside is open to all members, except for events. I guess that you need to pay over $1,000 per year if you want to enjoy some open space in that area. Has Portola Valley suggested they shut down?
Patrick Butler
Palo Alto
Next step is closing the roads, because someone has ran a red light.