In attendance at the opening will be participating C.R.E.W. youth, supervisors and C.R.E.W. Board members, as well as representatives from the County Board of Supervisors, Probation, General Services, and Parks and Recreation agencies. Hikers interested in walking the trail are also invited to attend. It is hoped that County signage, railings and parking will be completed by spring.The C.R.E.W. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing both youth employment and community service opportunities and environmental preservation and enhancement. During its nine years of operation The C.R.E.W. has provided employment for more than 1,000 youth. In 1999 it provided nearly 5,000 hours of paid employment to youth aged 14 through 21. Work has been primarily on environmentally oriented projects although The C.R.E.W. also provides staffing for many community events. During 1999 The C.R.E.W. expanded to include Santa Barbara County. It will also be implementing its Santa Paula operation this March with a fire prevention brush clearance program.
C.R.E.W. announces opening
of a new trail at Foster Park
February 23, 2000
Santa Paula News
Opening ceremonies for a new trail to be called “The C.R.E.W. Trail” will be held at the Foster Park Red Mountain Overnight Campground at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1st.
According to C.R.E.W. (Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers) Executive Director Wally McCall, The C.R.E.W. Trail was completed over a three-month period. C.R.E.W. members first completed brushwork on the Red Mountain Fire Break Road during the fall. The Fire Break Road serves as the lower leg in a three-mile trail. This winter The C.R.E.W. restored one of the 1930’s trails by removing 70 years worth of undergrowth, poison oak and deadwood, as well as completely rebuilding the path tread work. Since there has been no fire in the area for at least 50 years the task was at times overwhelming.The Trail starts 25 yards from the overnight campground at Foster Park and goes uphill by way of a series of switchbacks for approximately one mile. This leg includes a vista point with panoramic views of the river and valley towards the coast, as well as a picnic area and fern gully. Parts of the original 1930’s rock trail wall may be viewed. The Trail then loops northward for another mile to join the Fire Break Road near the upper campground.Using funds provided by the Ventura County Probation Agency as well as by an anonymous foundation, more than 18 Ojai area youth and four supervisors led by U.S. Forest Service seasonal firefighter Roy Leckbee worked on weekends, after school, and during school breaks to complete the three mile trail which, weather permitting, will be completed by March 1st.
