johndahl
06-07-2004, 02:58 PM
Saturday we had 50 hard working, enthusiastic, outdoor-loving volunteers out for the REI National Trail Days project at Terrace Oaks to help in the abandoned trail reclamation. Talk about a bunch of hard-working fun-loving people! With all that expert help we got the whole project done in about three hours after which we were all treated to a well-deserved and appreciated box lunch as well as drinks and a T-shirt all compliments of REI.
The excellent work that was done was an important part of the total Terrace Oaks mtn-bike trail restoration because the city of Burnsville officials want to judge this effort of ours before letting us cut more new trail. I'm confident they will view our efforts as proof-positive that MORC is trustworthy and dedicated in the work we do.
I want to thank everybody that showed up and helped out. It was inspiring to see so much work done by so many happy campers! A special thanks goes to Don Begalle from REI whose organizational hard work got us all together (and fed us) on that beautiful Morning. And as I told him as we were leaving; "REI Rocks!"
Also I want to recognize Dale Gundberg, James Ford, John Lundell and Don Youngdahl. Dale spent half a day with me the day before with his Toro Dingo clearing off the old trail and spreading dirt on the steepest slopes. John Lundell and James Ford lent their time and expertise (and hard labor) that day even though they both have their hands full doing most of the trail building at Lebanon Hills and Salem Hills respectively. And then there is Big Don Youngdahl. Don is always helping everywhere. Where would MORC be without his engineering and design skills? Even when nobody else is around Don can be found repairing bridges, building stairs!, doing what ever needs to be done even when it is way on the other side of the metro! Thank you all!
And James thanks to you and your crew for going through the rest of the trail cutting and clearing overgrown brush and doing additional trail repair.
Let me also address some comments made earlier this year in this forum about the Terrace Oaks mtn bike trail. The Terrace Oaks trail will never be a 'destination' trail like Lebanon Hills has become. For one thing the politics are different. Lebanon is a huge county park. T.O. is a city owned and closely monitored 250 acre park. There are vocal residents whose homes back up to the parts of the park where the trail runs some of whom are on the Terrace Oaks Trail Committee with me that meets twice a year to monitor all that goes on in the park. They are not mtn bikers but over the years I think we have made progress convincing them we are good for the park. But they remain skeptical.
We had to fight to keep the mtn bike trail in TO. One concession we had to make was that there wouldn't any additional trail added. Now when we get permission from the city to cut new trail we have to agree to reforest the same amount of abandoned trail. Hey it beats the alternative!
As I see it, Terrace Oaks is a relaxed alternative to the Lebanon Hills trail system meca that has been built over the last three years. Terrace is a place to take your date or a family member that is learning the ropes. Or a place to have a single track ride in the woods by yourself while contmeplating the wildlife. I think it still is a challenge for most and fun for all. You want to risk it all? Let it all hang out? Go for broke? Experience the 'fear factor?' Then Lebanon hills is the place to go! But if you on some occasion seek an uncrowded peaceful somewhat challenging ride in the woods, then give it a shot at Terrace Oaks mtn bike trail. With that mindset I'm confident you'll enjoy enjoy the alternative.
Finally, remember so far we have only rerouted about a quarter of what we eventually intend to do working with the city of Burnsville. There is a lot of work yet to be done and I hope you will consider lending a hand even when REI is not involved. Watch this space for upcoming trail work notices.
Again thank you all for your help. I solicit your comments as well.
John Dahl
The excellent work that was done was an important part of the total Terrace Oaks mtn-bike trail restoration because the city of Burnsville officials want to judge this effort of ours before letting us cut more new trail. I'm confident they will view our efforts as proof-positive that MORC is trustworthy and dedicated in the work we do.
I want to thank everybody that showed up and helped out. It was inspiring to see so much work done by so many happy campers! A special thanks goes to Don Begalle from REI whose organizational hard work got us all together (and fed us) on that beautiful Morning. And as I told him as we were leaving; "REI Rocks!"
Also I want to recognize Dale Gundberg, James Ford, John Lundell and Don Youngdahl. Dale spent half a day with me the day before with his Toro Dingo clearing off the old trail and spreading dirt on the steepest slopes. John Lundell and James Ford lent their time and expertise (and hard labor) that day even though they both have their hands full doing most of the trail building at Lebanon Hills and Salem Hills respectively. And then there is Big Don Youngdahl. Don is always helping everywhere. Where would MORC be without his engineering and design skills? Even when nobody else is around Don can be found repairing bridges, building stairs!, doing what ever needs to be done even when it is way on the other side of the metro! Thank you all!
And James thanks to you and your crew for going through the rest of the trail cutting and clearing overgrown brush and doing additional trail repair.
Let me also address some comments made earlier this year in this forum about the Terrace Oaks mtn bike trail. The Terrace Oaks trail will never be a 'destination' trail like Lebanon Hills has become. For one thing the politics are different. Lebanon is a huge county park. T.O. is a city owned and closely monitored 250 acre park. There are vocal residents whose homes back up to the parts of the park where the trail runs some of whom are on the Terrace Oaks Trail Committee with me that meets twice a year to monitor all that goes on in the park. They are not mtn bikers but over the years I think we have made progress convincing them we are good for the park. But they remain skeptical.
We had to fight to keep the mtn bike trail in TO. One concession we had to make was that there wouldn't any additional trail added. Now when we get permission from the city to cut new trail we have to agree to reforest the same amount of abandoned trail. Hey it beats the alternative!
As I see it, Terrace Oaks is a relaxed alternative to the Lebanon Hills trail system meca that has been built over the last three years. Terrace is a place to take your date or a family member that is learning the ropes. Or a place to have a single track ride in the woods by yourself while contmeplating the wildlife. I think it still is a challenge for most and fun for all. You want to risk it all? Let it all hang out? Go for broke? Experience the 'fear factor?' Then Lebanon hills is the place to go! But if you on some occasion seek an uncrowded peaceful somewhat challenging ride in the woods, then give it a shot at Terrace Oaks mtn bike trail. With that mindset I'm confident you'll enjoy enjoy the alternative.
Finally, remember so far we have only rerouted about a quarter of what we eventually intend to do working with the city of Burnsville. There is a lot of work yet to be done and I hope you will consider lending a hand even when REI is not involved. Watch this space for upcoming trail work notices.
Again thank you all for your help. I solicit your comments as well.
John Dahl