Since it was announced in 2013, the closure of the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail adjacent to Levi’s Stadium during stadium events drawing 20,000-plus people has been a sore point – especially because accessibility via the Creek Trail was one of the stadium project’s selling points. During events, trail users currently have to make a quarter mile detour of through a parking lot between Tasman and Agnew Road.
The reason given for the closing that part of the trail was that it falls within the stadium’s security perimeter.
Now an ad-hoc group including the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, Levi’s Stadium management, the 49ers, and the Santa Clara Police Dept. is working on reopening the trail between Agnew and the south side of the Great America lot near Gate C during stadium events.
At the Oct 28 Santa Clara City Council meeting, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Board Member Scott Lane provided an update on these efforts, as well as information about a pilot project that was conducted on Oct. 24 during the Cal-Oregon game.
That pilot was so successful, Lane told the Council, that the Creek Trail will be open during stadium events, but only to bicyclists with event tickets. The next step is keeping the trail open to everyone during stadium events.
I look forward to working with you to re-open the creek trail [during events] for the hundreds of thousands of people it was promised for, Lane said. We have tried to present options Ö and we’re looking for creative ways with the City Council and the Stadium management.
The City Council referred the issue to staff for review. Noting that many had been surprised at the decision to close the trail during stadium events, Council Member Lisa Gillmor said, I’m hoping that we’ll be able to move toward full access.
For information about the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, visit bikesiliconvalley.org or call (408) 287-7259.