History

For three decades, the Danville Townwide Trial Master Plan (adopted 1989) envisioned building a multi-purpose trail to close the gap between the existing Barbara Haile Trail and access to Mount Diablo State Park. This public trail segment is one of the most difficult to construct because it needed to traverse a creek and hilly terrain across the privately-owned Magee property.

The opportunity came with the approval of the 69-home Magee Preserve project, which dedicated 93% of the 410-acre ranch to public open space and trail development. A condition of the project’s approval required the developer to construct the eastern segment of the trail (located within the subdivision) and a dedicated public easement to the Town to construct the western segment.

Trail Alignment

While the eastern portion of the trail (to be constructed by the developer) would be relatively flat, the western portion – constructed by the Town – would encounter the most challenging conditions, which include creek crossings, steep slopes, and the most appropriate location to cross Diablo Road to connect to the existing Barbara Haile Trail.

Trail Funding

At the time of the Magee Preserve project approval, the Town had roughly 50% of the necessary funds to construct the project. By summer 2021, given its importance as a regional trail link, the Town was able to secure the remaining half of the funds and the project is now considered 100% funded.