Local

5 challenges to completing the Bob Jones Trail in SLO County

Stories by The Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

The Bob Jones Trail extension project has faced multiple interconnected challenges, primarily centered around disputes with property owners and funding pressures. Key landowners, such as Ray Bunnell, have refused offers for easements due to concerns over compensation, liability, and property impacts. Alternative trail alignments have been proposed, including a new route along Highway 101, but these designs struggle with safety and feasibility concerns. Additionally, the county risks losing an $18 million grant if construction doesn't begin by early 2025.

As efforts switch to a "bookend approach" bypassing holdout properties, community fundraising has emerged to address a $6 million funding gap for the expensive redesign, highlighting significant public and financial stakes in completing the popular trail.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

A cyclist glides by fossil-filled Monterey shale on the Bob Jones Trail on Sept. 22, 2023. The rocks were on the ocean floor about 14 million years ago, then uplifted to the surface by plate tectonics, according to a trail interpretive marker. The county wants to complete the trail from Avila Beach to San Luis Obispo but now will likely need to alter the route around at least one property whose owner has refused to sell a sliver of his land. By David Middlecamp

NO. 1: SLO COUNTY WON’T REDESIGN BOB JONES TRAIL AS IT RACES TO CONVINCE LANDOWNERS TO COOPERATE

The county risks losing millions of dollars if it can’t reach agreement on plans for the missing link. | Published May 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Stephanie Zappelli

A cyclist glides by fossil-filled Monterey shale on the Bob Jones Trail on Sept. 22, 2023. The rocks were on the ocean floor about 14 million years ago, then uplifted to the surface by plate tectonics, according to a trail interpretive marker. The county wants to complete the trail from Avila Beach to San Luis Obispo but now will likely need to alter the route around at least one property whose owner has refused to sell a sliver of his land. By David Middlecamp

NO. 2: 5 PROPERTY OWNERS WON’T SELL ACCESS TO LAND FOR BOB JONES TRAIL. WHAT DID SLO COUNTY OFFER?

The Tribune filed a Public Records Act request to find out who is fighting the project and who is cooperating. | Published October 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Stephanie Zappelli Chloe Shrager

Mary and Bruce Williams of San Luis Obispo walked the Bob Jones Trail five times a week between Avila Beach and the parking area at Highway 101. They would like to see the trail expanded, they told The Tribune on Sept. 22, 2023. By David Middlecamp

NO. 3: SLO COUNTY OFFERED LANDOWNER $200,000 FOR BOB JONES TRAIL PARCEL HE WON’T SELL. WHAT’S NEXT?

The county already paid Ray Bunnell $20,000, but that was for one-time, limited access to his property for environmental surveys. | Published October 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli

Becca Balsille walks her dog, Kaia, and Allison Mickel walks her dog, Gunner, along San Luis Creek near Ontario Road on Dec. 3, 2024. The Bob Jones Trail is proposed to run from San Luis Obispo to Avila Beach but has not yet been completed. By David Middlecamp

NO. 4: SLO COUNTY PICKED $36 MILLION NEW ROUTE TO SAVE BOB JONES TRAIL. HOW WILL THEY PAY FOR IT?

Meanwhile, some property owners still refuse to sell to the county. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli

The parking lot on Ontario Road is a starting point for many hikers and bikers. The Bob Jones Trail is proposed to run from San Luis Obispo to Avila Beach but has not yet been completed, seen here on Dec. 3, 2024. . By David Middlecamp

NO. 5: BOB JONES TRAIL WINS FINAL, CRITICAL APPROVAL FROM STATE

Now, with all approvals and funding in place, construction on the missing section can begin in 2026, the county said. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager Stephanie Zappelli

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.