What to do with nearly 10,000 acres.

[minkhiller]

Yes nearly 10,000 acres. I have made contact with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Hopkinton-Everett Lake management area in Hopkinton NH. The local Manager is very receptive to the idea of non-motorized trails on their land.

In the near future a group from SCNH chapter will have the tough task of trying to determine where on the management area would be a good place to start. Some of you may have ridden in the area at Clough State Park which is a favorite ATV spot but not the best of trails for mountain bikes. The state of NH is in a lease agreement with the USACE for the area of the state park.

We hope to put a proposal together which will then be submitted to the New England District office in Concord MA.
With the USACE having management areas in 4 New England states this is a great chance to get our foot in the door.

If any of you have had or do have a working relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers please post your suggestions and ideas that may help us out.

Thanks to all, i'll keep you posted.

[johnbryanpeters]

I'm interested in what you find out. We're talking with the environmental officer of a nearby Army base about taking ovever maintenance of some mixed use trails on the base. He's concerned about liability, among other things, and I'm ignorant about that - I would expect that the military wouldn't be liable for anything by law, but if it ain't writ, it ain't sh1t, as my lawyer friend says.

J

Maybe some of you would not like to realize this but, this would be a good time to connstruct some type of alliance with the local ohrv management/maintenence group in that area. They have many resources available which would/could work in harmony with such a project not to mention this has been their "backyard" for quite some time. They know the area and the politics. and could be of great value in the layout, contruction and very crucial partners in their/our policing of a non-motorized trail system.


could be "User groups work together for a better trail system"

[minkhiller]

Just a couple of notes about the OHRV trails in that area. The only legal OHRV trails in the management area at this time are in the state park. The Army Corp of Engineers is concerned about illegal OHRV trails that have been found on their property. There is a group in Henniker currently working with the USACE to create some more legal trails in the area.

My feeling comming out of my recent meeting with the Manager of the area is that he would like to see our trails isolated from the OHRV users but I will follow up on this issue.

[minkhiller]

In my search for area's to put in trails in the Army Corp's land one of my considerations is parking. The Army Corp has a park in Hopkinton that has plenty of parking. I have one question for the Army Corp is if we chose to focus on building trails in that area would we be charge to enter the park? I will get that answer from them. My question to NEMBA members is would you pay to enter the park and ride the trails? I will get the 2004 fee to enter this week.

[mtbtom]

My question to NEMBA members is would you pay to enter the park and ride the trails? I will get the 2004 fee to enter this week.


I would defintley pay to enter the park provided the riding is good enough for me to make the trip up there.

I gladly pay the $5 to ride at Bear Brook on a regular basis.

T

I'm with MtbTom on this one. I would pay

[minkhiller]

The fee is $1 per person and a max of $4 per vehicle, not bad. That would solve the parking issue now I just have to figure out how the flooding in the area would affect the trails. Anyone have knowledge of how much maintenace is involved with trails exposed to heavy flooding?

[Sci Teach]

If you would like a hand looking at and laying out...as well as dealing with the land managers during the summer, please let me know. This would be time WELL spent for the possibility in return!

John S

[minkhiller]

John I will look you up when we can set a date. I think we may be able to set a date at the next SCNH chapter meeting.

[minkhiller]

On June 5th at 9am SCNH chapter will be going to look at the Army Corps land in Hopkinton NH. Anyone interested in checking it out and doing a ride around the area e-mail me and i'll forward you the directions.

[minkhiller]

Trail layout/flagging has started. This will be followed with mapping the trails and then design. I am looking for a list of resources for these projects. I have the mapping taken care of, Peter DeSantis has stepped up to the plate to GPS and make the maps.

I am unsure at this time if we will have any design work for wet area's but I would like to know if anyone would be willing to do that if the need arises.

You may have received an e-mail from me looking for 2 crews to help with layout and flagging. Each crew would have to bring their own clinometer to make sure we stay within the proper grades and slopes.

It is my hope to get the above steps complete and then make up a proposal for the Army Corps. I will also want to do an RTP grant to be presented to the state.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Glenn

[Big Game]

Wow...way to go Glenn!

[minkhiller]

Sorry folks riding on top is ok, riding the bottom is ok, but no in between. I am hoping to find a pile of this rock somewhere that they don't need.