RESUME OF TRAILS ACTIVITY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Jeannie Gillen
909-506-5833

I was one of those children who wished for a pony every time I blew out my birthday candles or tossed a penny in a wishing well. After acquiring my first horse and ranch to keep her on - I became active in the dedication and protection of parks, trails and open-spaces. I also became aware of my love for nature. My advocacy, willingness to learn about "the other side" of issues and my leadership skills have assisted in:

• Successful vote for the formation of the Riverside County Regional Park & Open-Space District
• Acquisition, public access and cooperative management at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
• The re-location of a County Regional Trail in a critical watershed, at the Water District's expense
• Trails planning effort for the 20,000 acre Domenigoni Valley Reservoir project
• National Park Service Grant for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
• Alternative plans for flood control, eliminating the need for concrete & incorporating parks & trails
• Cooperative agreements with Riverside County Flood Control for trail use in their channels
• Developer cooperation for County Regional Trails and Community Trails in their specific plan process
• Updated County Trail Policies, that provide additional and more flexible, trail opportunities
• Cooperation from incorporating cities, to include trails in the General Plan, and to have connectivity
• Successful Campaign Manager for my Riverside County Supervisor's re-election campaign
• Successful vote for trails and annual operating dollars to maintain trails in my 6,000 acre community

I am currently an active member in the following organizations:

• Riverside County Regional Park & Open-Space District Advisory Commission - Chair
• Riverside County Fish & Game Commission - Chair
• Riverside County Regional Trails Committee - Chair
• National Park Service & So. Calif. Executive Committee of Amigos de Anza - Chair
• Heritage Trails Fund - Board of Directors
• California Trails & Greenways Foundation - Board of Directors
• Metropolitan Water District's Recreation Working Group - Trails representative
• Domenigoni Valley Reservoir's Trails Planning Group - Equestrian representative
• Murrieta Creek Advisory Committee - Chair
• Santa Margarita River Watershed Management Program - trails representative
• Rancho California Horsemen's Association - Member
• Santa Rosa Plateau Riding Club - Member
• Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve - Equestrian Docent
• Riverside Recreation Trails - Member
• Greater Lake Mathews Rural Trail Association - Member
• Backcountry Horsemen's Association - Member

I am guided by my desire to be in natural places - I am not extreme, I listen to reason and I am willing to make compromises for a positive solution that benefits the greater majority. I am available to speak, support, plan, maintain and use parks, trails and open-spaces anywhere, anytime. This is my passion.

When National Park Service called me in the summer of 1993 to ask if I would be interested in Chairing a Task Force for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail---I had no idea what I was getting into. Being the Trails person that I am, flattered that NPS found me and then learning that this trail took the colonizing expedition to Fort Point San Francisco - the very place I was born how could I say no?

I accepted the volunteer position, and worked for over two years with 20 other County Coordinators on a Comprehensive Management Plan for the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. We identified the historic route, we identified the current recreational route and we planned an alternative auto route. We created a management plan for implementing and maintaining the trail through volunteer organizations and government agencies, with assistance and administration from Heritage Trails Fund/Amigos de Anza and National Park Service.

Since the trail is in 2 Countries, 2 States and 20 Counties, we planned our meetings in Mexico, Arizona and California. We always included a trail event or activity in the area we were meeting, to expose us to the trail and to engender local support. We also had great fun......I remember in Coyote Canyon when it hailed unexpectedly on us during our event/meeting. The winds were blowing 90 mph in the Canyon and the State Park Staff at Anza Borrego, said "Jeannie, don't bring anyone down here, it's impassable!" Well, Juan Bautista de Anza did not shrink from a little bad weather, so neither did we!

About a dozen brave souls accompanied me into the Canyon, where we met up with Don Garate, as Anza, and enjoyed a truly historic experience on the same land, under the same conditions with similar pioneer spirits among us.

This Trail has taken me to many places to experience many people of different cultures, most notably the Mexican. While riding the Relay of 1996 from Mexico to San Francisco, I cried when the 15th century church bells pealed as we rode into the same villages Anza visited 200 years ago. I feared for my life, as I rode my horse down railroad tracks and freeways, Anza never encountered. I marveled at the land and open spaces still available through public parks and government land "connecting" our places and our people. I was so proud to enter Fort Point, carrying the Spanish Flag on my trusty steed accompanied by nearly 100 equally proud and beautifully costumed trail supporters. Through this trail, I have made many friends, I have learned many things about people and places and how we all "connect". I have a passion for sharing this trail with individuals, organizations, school children, government agencies and historical societies.....I will make myself available to share this trail with you...

Jeannie Gillen, So.California Chair HTF/Amigos de Anza
30195 Del Rey Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
Phone 909-506-5833
Fax 909-506-3963
jgillen@pe.net