The Friends of Montclair RR Trail is a volunteer, non-profit organization. We strive to maintain, preserve and enhance the wild and natural character of the "Montclair RR Trail", a City of Oakland Linear Park. We provide an extra pair of eyes and additional hands when needed, augmenting Oakland's Parks and Recreation resources to keep the Montclair Railroad Trail clean, safe and natural for all who use it.
Photos - clockwise, upper left to lower left:
Coyote, Poison Oak, Overflowing Waste Container, Pet Waste Station.
Coyote - Dog Encounters: Coyote sightings are frequent in the Bay Area, in urban as well as rural settings, including parks. They've been seen along the Montclair RR Trail. So, we're passing along this link we saw recently on Nextdoor, a neighborhood social networking site. Good advice for dog owners. http://urbancoyoteinitiative.com/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-coyote-while-walking-your-dog/
Poison Oak: Poison Oak (Toxicodendrum diversilobum) is common along parts of the Montclair RR Trail. If you, your clothes or your dog come in contact with it, you will likely be exposed to urushiol (pronounced oo-roo-shee-ohl), the chemical in Poison Oak sap that causes the rash, blisters and infamous itch. So avoidance is your best defense.
But, if you're ever exposed to poison oak, you'll want to keep the technique for removing poison ivy, oak or sumac oak oil in this video in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oyoDRHpQK0
Dog Waste and Overflowing Waste Containers: THANK YOU to all of you who help preserve the health and aesthetics of the trail environment by picking up after your pets! You've probably noticed that the waste containers along the trail sometimes reach overflowing, even though they are scheduled to be emptied by the City twice a week. You can help by depositing waste bags in the less used containers, or by carrying your dog's bag out with you to put in your home garbage container.
PG&E’s Statement About Upcoming Work along the Montclair RR Trail
As part of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) continued commitment to safety and reliability, we are relocating two electric towers that were affected by last year’s storms and will be replaced to avoid potential long-term problems near Shepherd Canyon Road, along the Montclair Railroad Trail. PG&E estimates work to begin in the fall of 2017.
PG&E will partner with the Friends of Montclair Railroad Trail board members and committees to restore the trail and vegetation that could be impacted by this important safety work.
Communication with the community, the Friends of Montclair Railroad Trail, and its board members and committees, will continue as the construction date approaches.
Information from the FOMRRT Board of Directors: A committee to plan the restoration of the trail and vegetation impacted by the PG&E's project began its work in mid-June. The aim is to have a restoration plan agreed upon before the work gets underway.
Towers to be replaced by poles at a different site and then removed.
PG&E made temporary structural reinforcements here in June 2016.
Approximate area that will be affected by
PG&E's tower relocation project.
You can find more information about the Montclair Railroad Trail and the FOMRRT organization at this link: http://www.monclairrrtrail.org. Please consider becoming a member or making a donation.
