Article and photo by Friends of Jenny Creek
Friends of Jenny Creek (FJC) has been very busy in the past few months in our effort to stop the City of Redding with its plans to build a paved 12’ wide trail/road, lighted, with some 8’ wide sections, along the creek, and through the greenbelt. The creek is in a very steep little canyon, north of Eureka Way, with slopes of 50% or more, bordered on both sides by the Upper and Lower Sunset Terrace neighborhoods. The trail would run from the T.R. Woods Park in Upper Sunset Terrace, and travel sideways along a steep slope, then drop down to the creek’s level, cross an 80’ bridge, and end at the bottom of Overhill Drive. Jenny Creek flows into the Sacramento River and thus is critical habitat for species using wildlife corridors. This creek and greenbelt, as an ecosystem, is a hidden gem on the west side of Redding.
FJC is very concerned that the construction and long-term use of a trail along the creek would be destructive to the environment, including the removal of 68 or more trees, possible erosion into the creek and river, and loss of biodiversity when many native species are already experiencing drastic drops in numbers, fragmentation of habitats, and are part of the crisis of extinction that is happening worldwide.
Our latest efforts center around writing an alternate routes proposal to the City of Redding’s Parks and Trails Department and the Planning Department. In this document, we describe the uniqueness of Jenny Creek and its greenbelt. The creek includes ponds in which “listed” (protected, species of special concern, threatened, or endangered) species such as pond turtles might be found. These ponds are adequate in size for salmon to spawn in when they have been able to enter the creek in the Fall during heavy rainstorms.
One of our members has created a list of all the bird species she has found in 30 years, that were seen in her backyard which is adjacent to Jenny Creek. We also have a document that includes all the listed species that could be found in Jenny Creek, including those that are listed with the state, and/or the federal government, with a few being watched by other agencies.
The habitats found there are unique and are included in the Terrestrial Significant Habitats data set with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) suite of terrestrial conservation. CDFW describes this dataset: “Terrestrial Significant Habitats may include habitat or vegetation types that are the focus of state, national, or locally legislated conservation laws, as well as key habitat areas that are essential to the survival and reproduction of focal wildlife species. The Terrestrial Significant Habitat dataset includes Oak Woodland Habitat and Riparian Habitat” these are both found in the Jenny Creek greenbelt on both sides of the creek.
We have alternate routes to propose to the City of Redding staff and Planning Commission. These alternate routes would then be used by bikers, hikers, and walkers instead of the city building the proposed Jenny Creek Trail. They include upgrades to the Overhill Drive Trail and the Palatine Trail, both of which are already established trails. The entrance to the Overhill Drive Trail is found at the bottom of that street, past the barricades, and it ends at the Sacramento River Trail. We propose that the city upgrades this trail by removing the stairs and cutting a passage through the decommissioned railway berm. The Palatine trail stairs at Palatine Court in Upper Sunset Terrace wind down towards the river, cross the berm, and end at the Sacramento River Trail. We propose that the city upgrades this trail by upgrading the stairs and creating “swingouts” around them for bike riders and walkers.
Friends of Jenny Creek need your support. We need volunteers to help in our efforts!
Please visit our website: FriendsofJennyCreek.org to learn more about the organization. We are non-profit and have ongoing expenses such as attorney fees and operating costs, so if you share our concerns over the proposed Jenny Creek Trail, please consider donating as well.