Zipping Into Controversy

Imagine zipping through an array of lush, green trees, harnessed to a rope, suspended over a forest known as Jacks Peak. For some, this may be a little too intense, while thrill-seekers find the idea as another outlet to get their adrenaline pumping.

Ziptrek Ecotours, a British Colombian Company and the County Parks Director John Pinio have been negotiating the idea of the zip line since early 2009. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors allowed for negotiations with Ziptrek to begin. Since then, little has been noted about the attraction’s progress.

On November 17, Jacks Peak held a board meeting to discuss a zip line to be added as a feature attraction. Many community members attended and spoke their minds on the issue at hand, and their minds were definitely made up. A majority of community members are opposed to the zip-line, stating the attraction will only place more traffic and more problems for surrounding Jacks Peaks inhabitants including plant life, animal life, as well as human life.

One group who have dubbed their cause “Zap the Zip Line” believe that thrill seekers will only disrupt the peace that nature has tried so hard to create and salvage through the creation of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. This group of people is made up of senior members, who are living and recooperating in the senior home called Pacific Meadow Group, located within just a few thousand feet of the proposed zip line area.

Others fear the zip-line will not only disrupt peace and quiet, but natural ecosystems could be in even more danger.

Bri Cagle, senior and Global Studies major, believes that the zip line would take away from the natural beauty of Jacks Peak. “It is a place you can escape to, and with the zip-line there would be a constant flow of people. There would be no escaping, and it would for sure take away from its natural state. I do not believe that everything should be about fun when the environment is involved,” she said.

County officials state that if the zip-line is approved, the attraction would not only bring the park revenue and jobs, but a chance for more touristic fun. One student, Colton Bollinger, Junior and a Business Major, believes that the idea of a zip line is “fucking awesome.” He continued, “Ziplining is something I’ve unfortunately never had the pleasure of experiencing before, and with the integration of such an attraction in Jacks Peak, I believe myself, as well as many others, wouldn’t hesitate to grasp this opportunity with both hands and enjoy the ride!”

While thrill-seekers like Bollinger seem to overlook the environmental effects of the zip-line, many members of the community have placed this issue in the forefront. Cagle continues saying that, “The zip-line we will create a larger flow of people meaning more cars, which creates more pollution around the wildlife, trash from tourists, the trails will be trampled more...It is not part of the natural ecosystem so that fact alone means it will disrupt the environment.”

Another issue being considered is the Monterey Pines located within the parks forest canopy. These trees are infamous for being unsupporte. This raises another issue of how they can support these trees from falling before sending people down a zip line.

The proposed attraction is still under consideration by park officials and community members alike. If approved, the zip line would include a tour where participants would pay around $100 to be shuttled roundtrip from Cannary Row to Jacks Peak.