Gray Whale Ranch will open in November rather than July as planned. This disappointing news was not welcomed by the community at large.

 Dave Vincent the new Superintendent of State Parks in Santa Cruz has announced the delay because of an oversight in the zoning change from logging use to recreational use.

 To avoid a future lawsuit, California State Parks has decided to go through the legal process of holding public hearings through the state coastal commission. This is estimated to take a few months.

 The decision came about from a comment made by someone during the interim management plan/negative declaration review and public input last month.

 There will also be a panel made up of community members to discuss the issues.

  Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz supports this decision by State Parks because out of all the options this one is the shortest time frame to open the park (a legal court battle could delay the park opening for a long time).

 So we need to start our tires in motion by writing letters in support of multi-use and letters from those who know Gray Whale intimately. And who knows this may be an opportunity to open more trails and fire roads for us to ride on. It is important send letters from individuals to the following people:

 Dave Vincent
 Superintendent,
 California State Parks 600 Ocean Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Fred Keely
  State Assemblyman
 701 Ocean Street
 Santa Cruz, Ca 95060

 Board of Supervisors
  701 Ocean Street
 Santa Cruz, Ca 95060

 Santa Cruz City Council
 809 Center Street
 Santa Cruz, CA 95060