Horseshoe Road residents urge Stanislaus County leaders to save their community trail

Residents of the Horseshoe Road community east of Oakdale came out Tuesday to urge Stanislaus County supervisors to keep “the trail” open near their homes.

The homeowners oppose efforts by Joe Monterosso to close Old Colony Road, a much-disputed 1,740-foot dirt pathway that runs along a drain channel in the picturesque community of ranchette homes off Orange Blossom Road.

“We have a neighbor who is desperately trying to take ownership of the road and gate it off,” Michelle Burke said.

Burke said people use the trail for walking, running, horseback riding and taking a shortcut between upper Horseshoe Road and lower Horseshoe Road.

Residents said closing the old road would force people to walk and jog on Horseshoe Road, which is dangerous and has no protections for pedestrians or small vehicles.

Old Colony Road also is used for an annual hayride held by the tight-knit community. Burke said there has never been an incident of someone getting hurt while using Old Colony Road.

Monterosso, called by one resident Tuesday the “Bully of Old Colony Road,” maintains that it’s a private road on his and some neighbors’ property. For months, he has spoken during the public comment period at Board of Supervisors meetings, warning that someone will get hurt by slipping off the unpaved road into the adjacent channel.

He insists that property owners will be held liable if accidents occur.

Monterosso said Tuesday he was stepping up his road closure effort by serving the county with a lawsuit.

County officials have researched archives, finding that a 1917 petition to make it a county road was rejected. In November, county Public Works notified Monterosso that it’s a private road and the issue should be settled by seven adjoining property owners.

By late January, the county position changed, after a record was discovered showing the county did grading work on the road 83 years ago, making it public.

County Public Works surveyed 67 homeowners in the rural community and the vast majority told the county to keep the road open as a community asset.

The county government has shown no sign that it will close the road, or “trail” as residents call it, but the County Counsel’s office has expected the matter could end up in court.

One speaker said Tuesday she put up a sign asking people to limit their speed to 3 to 5 mph if they ride a bike or drive a vehicle on the dirt road.

Sherri Murphy, another homeowner, said Monterosso has sought restraining orders in his conflicts with neighbors. “What is his issue?” Murphy asked. “My grandkids love the trail. It’s an asset, not a liability.”

Monterosso has estimated it will cost him $100,000 in legal costs to get a decision in court. A copy of his lawsuit was not immediately available.

County supervisors heard the remarks during the public comment period Tuesday. They could not legally take any action because it was not an item on the agenda.