A 483-acre portion of the Franklin Canyon Area contains two parcels of public open space/agricultural land which forms the northeastern most parcel of land within the City of Hercules. Owned and maintained by the John Muir Land Trust (JMLT), this portion of Franklin Canyon is publicly accessible from the 702-acre ‘Fernandez Ranch’ due east of Franklin Canyon. These two permanent open space areas provide multi-use trails open for public use and enjoyment. The properties also permit grazing that improves rangeland health and overall site habitat quality. 

In 2010, JMLT successfully completed the Fernandez Ranch Public Access and Creek Restoration Project, which opened the Fernandez Ranch site to the public. JMLT’s work at the 702-acre Fernandez Ranch site included a major restoration of a reach of Rodeo Creek and adjacent tributaries, and a public access staging area. Within the ranch, 3.5-miles of new multi-use trails were created, supported by the new trailhead, seating and picnic facilities, interpretive exhibit, and a historical corral and homestead foundation. Fernandez Ranch is actively grazed by cattle by an independent grazing lessee under contract with the JMLT. Livestock grazing is a primary land management tool used by JMLT on its open space lands, a key goal being to promote biodiversity and to reduce wildfire fuel loads. Grazing also supports JMLT’s interest in site interpretation by maintaining the ranching heritage of the region’s open space lands. The Fernandez Ranch site provides the foundation and a critical link for Franklin Canyon’s development into public open space.

Subsequent phases may be proposed in the future. These subsequent phases could include grazing facilities improvements, additional trails, and/or other open space recreation elements such as picnic shelters and overlooks. However, no planning has been conducted to conceptualize these additional facilities/phases, nor is funding available to construct any future facilities.

Prior Environmental Studies

As required under the California Environmental Quality Act, the City in  2013, released an Initial Study of the Franklin Canyon/Fernandez Ranch project and announced its intention to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).

• Franklin Canyon & Fernandez Ranch Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration
  (4.7 MB PDF)

• Franklin Canyon Biological Resources Report - 2013
  (18 MB PDF)

• Fernandez Ranch Biological Resources Report - 2006
  (2.7 MB PDF)