The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and the organization Green Foothills announced this weekend the designation of the future Lennie Roberts Trail in the Miramontes Ridge Open Space Reserve, adjacent to the Johnston House property in Half Moon Bay.
The ceremony brought together community members, public officials, and environmental advocates to recognize the career of Lennie Roberts, considered one of the most influential voices in environmental protection in the region.
“Lennie Roberts defined what environmental stewardship means in our region,” said Julie Hutcheson, executive director of Green Foothills. “This trail is a tribute to her vision, passion, and tireless commitment to protecting the natural world.”
The trail—still under planning and construction—honors Roberts' decades of activism, whose work has saved tens of thousands of acres of open space in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Roberts has been part of the Green Foothills team for years and is considered one of the founders of Midpen, the public agency created after the passage of Measure R in Santa Clara County in 1972.
Her work was instrumental in Midpen's expansion into southern San Mateo County in 1976 and later into the coastal area in 2004. Her leadership has preserved iconic landscapes such as Russian Ridge, Purisima Creek Redwoods, and Bear Creek Redwoods.
She also promoted historic policies such as the California Coastal Act of 1976 and the San Mateo Measure A of 1986, which contained urban sprawl and protected the coastal area's rural character.
With 47 years of experience at Green Foothills, Roberts remains active in the organization and a staunch advocate for Midpen's work.
Participating in the tribute ceremony were Ana María Ruiz, general manager of Midpen, who emphasized that “Lennie's extraordinary leadership and passionate commitment have left an indelible mark on the lands and communities of our region. The Lennie Roberts Trail will ensure that her legacy inspires generations of future environmental advocates.”
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