MAMMOTH TRAILS COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT - JOHN CONNOLLY
Dreaming of Spring and outdoor recreation, we are highlighting John Connolly of the Mammoth Trails Committee (MTC) this month. As a kid, John always knew he'd live in Mammoth, envisioning life in a cabin in the Old Mammoth part of town. The devastating Northridge Earthquake occurred while John was a senior at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). The campus was in shambles, and it was about time to head north. John made the move to Mammoth Lakes in 1995 after earning a Liberal Arts degree from CSUN. A common saying in Mammoth is “I came for the winters and stayed for the summers”. John is one of the few residents who “came for the summers and stayed for the winters”. He later moved down to Hilton Creek and is now part of the Crowley Lake neighborhood.
Professionally, John was with the Town of Mammoth Lakes Parks and Recreation Department for almost 25 years, mostly working with children. He recalls that at one point, it was the best job in Mammoth! Learning from his professional experience, John realizes that outdoor recreation is the strength of the Eastern Sierra. He has also learned life is too short for decades of office work and meetings and retired from the Parks and Recreation Department in 2019 – cheers to you John!!
John joined the MTC in 2021 and has been a voice to expand soft surface trails in and around Mammoth Lakes. As a member of the MTC, he hopes to gain some experience and further advocate for trail connectivity throughout the county. “I am pro-motorized and pro-non-motorized. I find it easy to be both in a climate where everyone is supposed to take sides”, said John. As a member of the MTC, his holistic and inclusive approach to outdoor recreation is appreciated. When asked what the hardest part of his “job” on the MTC was, John mused on the difficult process to build new trails. “It takes years upon years to plan, extravagant amounts of money is spent on environmental work, projects are vetted through public outreach, and still, they get shut down by agencies and groups who do not support new multi-use sustainable trails,” John said, “all the while a bootleg trail system is flourishing outside of Bishop and enjoyed by all, but managed by none.”
Finding ways to focus his energy and continue to promote outdoor recreation, John is also part of the CSA-1 Board (County Service Area - 1), encompassing parts of southern Mono County, that is tasked with projects to make the community a better place to live. One such project was the design and implementation of the Crowley Lake Skate Park which was completed a little over five (5) years ago. John and the CSA-1 are now trying to create 30 miles of multi-use (bike/hike/walk) trails that will connect all the towns in Mono County together. Every year, CSA1 supports the Crowley Lake Trail Run as a community event based on health and fitness. There are 10K and 5K routes, and a 1K option for the kids. The event is scheduled for September 24th, 2023.
Visit https://crowleylaketrailrun.com/ to learn more and register for this fun, family event.
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.