A Conversation and Q&A with Michele Rudovsky and Laurent Gharda

 

As part of BHCIA's ongoing effort to address member questions or concerns about the Crystal Springs Cross Country (CSXC) course, BHCIA Vice President Laurent Gharda recently spoke with Michele Rudovsky, Chief Facilities and Operations Officer at San Mateo County Community College District. Here are highlights from their discussion:

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Laurent: Michele, some neighbors have noticed race events sometimes scheduled up to 7 consecutive days. Can you help us understand why?

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Michele: The stretch of consecutive events at the end of the season is due to league finals and championships. This scheduling pattern aligns with how the academic cross-country season operates. As a result, the current scheduling is likely to continue, with the course primarily serving as an academic athletic facility and secondarily as a community running course.

Please know that the San Mateo County Community College District has committed to BHCIA to limiting competitive events at this course to 25 per year. We recognize that these events can temporarily inconvenience your neighborhood, and we are committed to addressing neighborhood concerns and have done so by collaborating with the Belmont community to reduce traffic impact, improve communication, and manage maintenance operations effectively.

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Laurent: Why do I sometimes see buses parked on upper Hallmark Drive? Aren't they supposed to park on Saint James Rd? How does the distinction between a track meet and an invitational affect parking and bus drop-off procedures on Hallmark Drive?

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Michele: I understand that increased traffic and bus parking on upper Hallmark Drive during events can be very disruptive for residents. The Crystal Springs Cross Country Course hosts up to 25 meets annually, each requiring adherence to a specific bus parking (on Saint James Rd) and traffic management plan. For larger events, typically 14 to 17 of these meets, schools are mandated to contract directly with the Belmont Police Department, which oversees and enforces the bus parking and traffic plan. For all meets, we direct buses to park on Saint James Road to minimize congestion on Hallmark Drive.

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On non-event days, the course is open to the public for recreational use, athletic training, and independent invitationals not associated with the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD). During these times, parking is regulated by the California Vehicle Code, which permits bus parking within standard regulations.

 

We appreciate the neighborhood's patience and understanding, as traffic can be intense during large meet days, even with buses parking on Saint James Road. These protocols aim to balance the needs of organized athletic events with community access, striving to minimize inconvenience to residents while accommodating various uses of the course.

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Laurent: Some residents on Hallmark Drive have expressed concerns about races starting as early as 7 a.m. on weekends, citing disruptive traffic noise that disturbs their sleep. Why do races have to start so early?

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Michele: I understand that early morning events can be disruptive, and I apologize for any inconvenience caused. The early start times for certain larger meets are implemented to help mitigate traffic congestion within the neighborhood, given the high number of participants in these events. To minimize disruption, we limit race events to 25 per year, with only a very small number, typically 3 or 4, designated as early start events. You can see in the schedule which races have early starts. Some Race Directors want more early starts, and I have to hold the line out of consideration for your members.

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Laurent: Can you please explain why the gate at the St. James Road cross-country course entrance is sometimes closed on a race day?

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Michele: The gate at the St. James Road entrance is occasionally closed during Red Flag days, which are extremely rare. These closures are made out of an abundance of caution, as it is standard practice for the San Mateo County Parks Department to close parks during Red Flag warnings due to heightened fire risk.

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On these days, we collaborate with the San Mateo County Parks Department, Belmont Police, and other stakeholders to assess conditions and determine the best action for scheduled events. If it is deemed safe to proceed with the races, we implement additional measures, such as manning the gate, to mitigate bus traffic through the neighborhood and ensure smooth access for participants. This allows us to maintain safety while minimizing disruption to the community.

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