The free walk, due to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, is meant for all ages and “especially good for families,” said CLT Outreach Coordinator Shari Deghi.
In the first decades of the 20th century, the Ocean Shore Railroad brought visitors to the then-sparsely populated, rural San Mateo County coast, which led to the birth of today’s Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada and Half Moon Bay. The railroad is gone now, but the land where it once ran is still a vital part of Half Moon Bay, and that is the path the walk will trace.
 Coastside Land Trust Executive Director Jo Chamberlain stands on the old railroad easement through Half Moon Bay. Her organization plans a tour of the right-of-way on Saturday. |
With three stops along the way for informative chats by speakers, the walk will wind from Kelly Avenue south to Seymour Street between the western edge of the Arleta Park and Alsace Lorraine neighborhoods, and takes in an open blufftop overlooking the sea.
The purpose of the event, said Deghi, is to familiarize participants with the right-of-way and the history of the railroad, as well as the native plant and animal life now flourishing there.
The walk begins at the beach at the end of Kelly Avenue, where speakers will discuss the area’s past and present.
Coastside Land Trust Executive Director Jo Chamberlain will welcome walkers. Half Moon Bay botanist Toni Corelli will discuss the plants along the right-of-way, describe their struggles to flourish despite disturbances like changes in the right-of-way and dumping of garden trash there, and list restoration efforts.
Wildlife biologist, wetlands scientist and Sequoia Audubon board member Gary Deghi will describe the area’s animal and bird life and the importance of the blufftops as a habitat for rare species or wintering raptors.
He will refer to field and birding guides available to participants, and to serendipitous sightings. “There are many animals seen at the site, but large birds of prey, I can guarantee we’ll see some as we walk along,” he said.
Chris Hunter, former editor of the Pacifica Tribune and author of “The Ocean Shore Railroad,” will discuss the railroad’s history. Deborah Ruddock, former Half Moon Bay mayor now with the California Coastal Conservancy, will discuss the environmental significance of the railroad right-of-way easement for the coast.
The walk will proceed to a second stop at 10:45 a.m. at the corner of Central and Railroad avenues and finally to a last stop at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Poplar Street and Railroad Avenue. At each one, the speakers will offer more from their standpoints and take questions.
The event is designed to give participants an intimate view of this corner of the coast. “The idea is for people to fall in love with this area of the coast and appreciate it for its value,” said Corelli.
Participants are advised to dress in layers with sturdy shoes, and to bring binoculars.
Information at Coastside Land Trust, (650) 284-5056.
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