City seeks volunteers to help restore Jesusita Trail in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Jesusita Trail is considered one of the busiest trails in Santa Barbara.

“And we have probably in 100s per day and on on a weekend well up 300,' said parks supervisor Steve Biddle of the City of Santa Barbara.

“I use the trails almost every day and I’m really passionate about that being able to hike in nature and I just love this trail," said hiker Carla Kuklinsky of Jesusita Trail.

But after an exceptionally wet winter, heavy vegetation growth is getting in the way. 

"And then, of course, everyone wants to be careful of our friend here Mr. Boys oak, so it’s a hazard will remove that carefully and safely there’s ways we can do it," said Biddle.

In order to keep the trail safe, the city is putting on its first large scale Restoration Trail Day of the year. 

"As you can see by all the lush green around us, we have lots of what we call brushing, which will be annual grasses and weeds as well as the shrubs and trees that are on the borders of the trail within what we call the trail corridor," said Biddle.

The city is hoping to recruit at least 75 volunteers to help improve overall trail conditions.

"We have natural hazard, which are rocks and erosion and things like that happened throughout the winter or our wonderful rains that we’ve gotten to make everything green also, we’re really hard on the trail," said Biddle.

During the trail restoration day, the city will provide tools and lunch for volunteers.

“If you can carry a rake or a pair of loppers or a handsaw, you can be part of the team there’s there’s something for everybody to do," said Biddle.

Work will include repairing and regrading trails and clearing overgrown brush, annual grasses, and tree branches to ensure trails are safe for all users.

"It’s important because it’s important to be able to get out in nature and have a really well-maintained trail to be able to exercise and just enjoy nature," said Kuklinksy.

The volunteer day is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Jesusita Trail.

Volunteers will gather at the Cater Water Treatment Plant trailhead (1150 San Roque Rd.) for a safety orientation and instruction before taking to the trail.

The event will wrap up with a group lunch for volunteers from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

No special experience is required to volunteer. 

“Assembling a dedicated and skilled volunteer pool is instrumental in offsetting the wear, tear, and love our trails receive,” said Biddle. “Jesusita Trail is a great trail for first-time volunteers because it’s well-defined and less rocky and steep than some of our previous worksites. I’d encourage anyone who uses our trails and is interested in learning what it takes to keep them in good condition to join us.” 

RSVPs are required for this volunteer event. 

To sign up, contact Steve Biddle at SBiddle@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or (805) 564-5439. 

The Department coordinates multiple large-scale volunteer events each year across City, County, and Forest Service properties to help maintain the community’s network of trails.

The upcoming event is held in partnership with Santa Barbara County Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, Montecito Trails Foundation, Los Padres Forest Association, and SAGE Trail Alliance.

Future large-scale trail volunteer days are scheduled for Saturday, June 8, and Saturday, September 28.

For more information, visit: SantaBarbaraCA.gov/TrailWork.