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PRNS - Trails

Show All Answers

1. Who do I call in an emergency on the trails?

Call 911 from a telephone or 277-8911 from a cell phone. Emergency call boxes are located through the trail network. Refer the the system maps for precise locations.

2. Who do I call for a non-emergency concern on the trails?

If no immediate danger or hazard, you may call 311 to reach the Police Department.

3. How do I volunteer to help maintain the trails?

There are a number of ways for a person to volunteer. The City and its partner agencies participate in several programs and welcome your support at events throughout the year.

The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council provides additional opportunities to maintain trails on a regional basis and posts a current schedule of events.

The Friends of the Guadalupe River Trail & Gardens work with local corporations to conduct Corporate Work Days to clean up the park and trail.

4. Who do I call about graffiti or vandalism on the trails or in parks?

To report graffiti on the trails or in parks, call 1-866-249-0543, or email photos and location to antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov. Be prepared to describe the location and the extent of the graffiti in question. Or, download the San Jose Clean smart phone app at the iTunes Store.

For vandalism, call the Park Concern Hot Line at 793-5510 or via email at park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.

5. Who do I contact regarding maintenance of the trails?

Call the Park & Trail Concern Hotline at 793-5510 or via email; park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.

6. Does trail mileage reported include sidewalks and streets?

No San Jose's reported trail mileage is based entirely on off-street trails. Gaps in the system that require travel on a sidewalk or street do not contribute to mileage. San Jose's Greenprint describes development of the 100-mile trail network as an entirely off-street facility. Minor walking paths through parks or plaza spaces are also not counted.

7. Who do if I contact to report suspicious behavior or have a concern about public safety?

Although not an emergency, it is appropriate to call 911 so that operators and the Police can assess what action to take.

8. Who do I call to report a homeless encampment?

The City’s Housing Department provides services and support for the homeless. To learn more, visit the Housing Department’s website and click on Homeless Services.

9. Where can I find information about trails outside of San José?

Click on Links for information about neighboring agency and regional trail organizations.

10. How do I volunteer to support development of the Guadalupe River Park and Trail?

Go to the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens volunteer website at http://www.grpg.org/Volunteer.html. Other opportunities for volunteering are available throughout the year along other trail systems.

11. Who do I contact for debris or maintenance issues on public streets (not on the trail system)?

Please contact the City's Department of Transportation dispatch office at 277-4373 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri except holidays. Dispatchers can either take care of an issue or direct the call appropriately.

12. Who do I contact when I see debris in a creek or river next to the trail?

Contact the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s via their Access Valley Water web site. Once there, follow the instructions below:

Point your mouse over "Adopt-A-Creek Program"
Select "Request a pickup or sign installation - Lower Peninsula/West Valley Watershed"
Scroll down a bit to "BOX 2" and next to "Request type" select "Service Request"
Enter details in the "your request" window (permit number, name of group, creek name, cleanup time, trash location, your contact info etc.,).
If it's a specific trash location, enter the address in the next area OR if no address provide details about the location
Last step: "BOX 3" - Login, Register to create an account or send a message.

13. What do I do if I see a mountain lion?

Call 911 immediately for the following conditions: immediate threat to humans, acting aggressively, sick or injured. If you see a mountain lion near a park or trail, call (408) 793-5510 or send an email to the Park Concern Hotline. Park Operations staff can post warning signage as appropriate and take any other necessary actions. For more information on Mountain Lions, go to the California Department of Fish and Game web site.

14. How can I support development of more trails and open space?

The City of San José secures a large share of trail funding from local, state and federal grant sources. Taking steps to increase the number of grants or express support for grant funded projects can help further develop the network. Consider the following:

Contact your local, state and federal governing officials to express support for programs that fund trails. As a reference, the Annual Trail Report provides the grant programs that the City pursued over the past fiscal year.

The State of California Coastal Conservancy is offering a unique license plate as a great way to show your support for protecting and restoring natural habitats and providing open space and recreation (trails).

Tell us about how your employer supports bicycle commuting. We can always use Letters of Support when submitting grants – getting them from companies that see the trails as an important commute option makes the grant application far more compelling.

Send us your trail story or allow us to interview you. We want to share your story if you are commuting regularly on San Jose’s trails. These stories reinforce that real people are using trails as part of of their regular work day, and the area's economy benefits as a result.

15. Who do we contact to host a marathon or other special event along a trail?

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is happy to offer assistance in planning your special event. To learn more about special conditions and to secure a permit, please contact Athena Ramirez of the Special Park Use Unit at 408 794-6511or athena.ramirez@sanjoseca.gov.

16. How do I find the quickest through route through the Guadalupe River Park?

The Guadalupe River Park's meandering trails are fun to explore but either lead to points of interest or dead ends. A center line yellow stripe has been added to the trail to designated the "through" route. Follow the line to find the quickest route through the park (between Highways 280 and 880).

17. Can I use the trail during storm events?

You should proceed with extreme caution during rainy weather and not travel through any standing water. Many trail under-crossings may be beneath water during and after a storm event and may also be impacted by submerged debris. Maintenance staff monitors these facilities and seek to have them cleared as quickly as possible after a storm. Images are from the October 13, 2009 storm. Video from winter 2008.