Do’-um’-bel’-le Vista Trail and Art Bonwell Trail Showcase Cooperative Efforts to Add Trail Access
Danville, CA—The Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve trail network has expanded with two trails in adjacent Magee Preserve, thanks to a remarkable long-term collaboration between Save Mount Diablo and local partners.
“We are pleased to announce the opening of our two new trails at Magee Preserve: the Art Bonwell Trail, named in honor of our co-founder; and the Do’-yum’-bel’-le Vista Trail, named in honor of the Miwok People and Mount Diablo,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director.
Save Mount Diablo is grateful for the cooperative spirit of all involved. “On behalf of Save Mount Diablo,” said Ted Clement, “I want to thank Davidon Homes for the good partnership and for donating the trails easement to us at Magee Preserve.
“I also want to thank Dave Hammond and the Trail Dogs, our staff, our other volunteers, and important partners like East Bay Regional Park District and the Town of Danville for all their good and significant work on this project.”
Trails wind through scenic Magee Preserve. Photo by Scott Hein
Sean Burke, Save Mount Diablo’s Land Programs Director, said the name “Do’-Yum’-Bel’-Le Vista Trail was decided upon after conversing with many local tribes in the area to commemorate the Bay Miwok name for Mount Diablo, as this particular trail has great views of the mountain that is the center of creation for the Bay Miwok and exists on Bay Miwok territory.”
Map of the new Do’-Yum’-Bel’-Le Vista Trail. Map by Save Mount Diablo
Save Mount Diablo “has been involved in the design of this project from the beginning, helping to balance the beautiful rolling hills protection with a good development project in the town of Danville,” he explained.
Trails at Magee Preserve. Photo: Haley Sutton
Save Mount Diablo, the town of Danville, Davidon Homes, the East Bay Regional Park District, and volunteers have been working hard to provide more trail access to this growing neighborhood.
The land trust has “led public awareness hikes and meetings with stakeholders, and guided development to create an exemplary development project that holds recreation and conservation at the core of its existence,” said Burke.
This project, over a decade in the making, was the result of thoughtful negotiations between Save Mount Diablo and partners.
Save Mount Diablo worked closely first with the Magee family, and later Davidon Homes, to plan a beneficial conservation project in partnership with the town of Danville.
The goal was to allow smart growth where it was needed, without damaging sensitive habitat or creating unneeded sprawl in the local landscape.
In 2019, the project was unanimously approved and adopted by the Danville Town Council. Despite a wide spread of endorsements including from the East Bay Regional Park District, the project was still challenged in a referendum and went before voters.
Danville voters approved Measure Y in the 2020 election, which officially protected 93 percent of the 410-acre property.
The preserve now includes 381 acres of publicly accessible open space, and 69 homes on just 29 acres south of Blackhawk Road were planned, complete with bike paths and trails.
Local Athenian High School students in Magee Preserve have helped create trails. Photo: Haley Sutton
This open space project was a major accomplishment in the fast-paced Bay Area housing scene. Save Mount Diablo sought to maximize open space protections, and they also brought a collaborative approach to get the most benefit for the community.
Now, there are miles of interconnected public trails and permanently protected open space, all at no cost to the public.
Quiet rolling hills of Magee Preserve offset the Bay Area’s cities. Photo: Scott Hein
More than 3.5 miles of the trails owned by the East Bay Regional Park District have been open to the public since June 2025. Save Mount Diablo’s new trails add over two additional miles of trails.
By connecting new trails with Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve, Magee Preserve’s trails significantly expand recreational opportunities in the neighborhood.
And because Magee Preserve has been protected from further development, the two connected preserves also maintain crucial habitat connectivity for plants and wildlife.
Deer bound through Magee Preserve. Photo: Scott Hein
Cyclists will be able to enjoy the new trails, including the Art Bonwell Trail, which connects with a new bike path.
The Art Bonwell Trail was decided to commemorate “one of our founders, Art Bonwell, who was an avid supporter of ours as well as a cyclist, making that trail where it parallels and ties into the new Diablo Road bike trail a no-brainer,” Burke said.
Map of the new Art Bonwell Trail. Map by Save Mount Diablo
“With these two new trails,” Clement pointed out, “our Save Mount Diablo team has now built and opened to the public almost 10 miles of trails just in the last few years.”
“The trails are beautiful and would not exist without the commitment and teamwork from all of the partners involved,” said Burke, “from the developer to the park district, the landowners, volunteers, community members.”
Save Mount Diablo will continue to work with the community on protecting more of our local landscapes and connecting people to nature.
Image credits and captions:
- View of Mount Diablo from Magee Preserve. Photo: Scott Hein
- A trail winds through Magee Preserve. Photo: Scott Hein
- Map of the new Do’-Yum’-Bel’-Le Vista Trail. Map by Save Mount Diablo
- Trails at Magee Preserve. Photo: Haley Sutton
- Local Athenian High School students in Magee Preserve have helped create trails. Photo: Haley Sutton
- Quiet rolling hills of Magee Preserve offset the Bay Area’s cities. Photo: Scott Hein
- Deer bound through Magee Preserve. Photo: Scott Hein
- Map of the new Art Bonwell Trail. Map by Save Mount Diablo
High-resolution photos are available upon request. Contact lkindsvater@savemountdiablo.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager
C: 925-451-8376, lkindsvater@savemountdiablo.org
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