Snail Lake Park

[Brick]

I've noticed a large number of folks mountain biking on the ski trails at Snail Lake Regional Park this summer, many more so than in years past, particularly in the evenings. Please note that all off trail riding is illegal in Ramsey County Parks, with the exception of the Battle Creek/Winthrop site. Before people start complaining to the Parks and Rec, is there anything that we can do as an organization to raise awareness with these riders, (additional signage out on the trail etc) to prevent us from loosing the few off-road privledges that we enjoy with Ramsey County?

I've talked to a few of these folks, and the universal excuse seems to be "I didn't know". (that's fine....now you know) I don't know how effective my grumpy old guy in sweaty running clothes awareness campaign has been, it would be nice to be able to maybe do something maybe a little more polished.

Here's a thought.....open the park back up to Mountain biking.....????

ok, that might be pushing it.

[homebrewbiker]

I've noticed a large number of folks mountain biking on the ski trails at Snail Lake Regional Park this summer, many more so than in years past, particularly in the evenings. Please note that all off trail riding is illegal in Ramsey County Parks, with the exception of the Battle Creek/Winthrop site. Before people start complaining to the Parks and Rec, is there anything that we can do as an organization to raise awareness with these riders, (additional signage out on the trail etc) to prevent us from loosing the few off-road privledges that we enjoy with Ramsey County?

I've talked to a few of these folks, and the universal excuse seems to be "I didn't know". (that's fine....now you know) I don't know how effective my grumpy old guy in sweaty running clothes awareness campaign has been, it would be nice to be able to maybe do something maybe a little more polished.

Here's a thought.....open the park back up to Mountain biking.....????

ok, that might be pushing it.
I used to ride there with a friend a few years ago, before I knew about MORC. I think the attitude of these riders is "if it doesn't say I can't do it it must be OK". If it is to be stopped, signage would be a good first step (but I suppose you'd need permission from the parks people). I still ride through on the paved trails on my hybrid from time to time.

[Shickdawg]

I used to ride there with a friend a few years ago, before I knew about MORC. I think the attitude of these riders is "if it doesn't say I can't do it it must be OK". If it is to be stopped, signage would be a good first step (but I suppose you'd need permission from the parks people). I still ride through on the paved trails on my hybrid from time to time.

It's a straight shot down my driveway onto one of the entrances into Snail Lake Park (it's the gold house at the corner of County F and Demar -- my big dog Kody will greet you with a big slurp if you stop by :D ). There actually is signage. Bikes are only allowed on the paved trails. I've only recently decided I really needed to make a difference, after finding MORC and joining treadlightly. However, the young face probably doesn't carry any more weight than the grumpy old guy in sweats. Let me know how I can help, especially since I'm down in the park just about every day running, biking (on the pavement) or walking my dog.

[nigel]

If you stop by County Cycles you can ask Jake D about Snail Lake too, it was his backyard trail for years, just make sure ya tell him i say whats up!

D

[Brick]

There actually is signage. Bikes are only allowed on the paved trails.
And it's apparent that no-one reads them. I'm thinking signage out on the trails themselves, it would be sufficiently out of context that it might actually get noticed. Something reasonably weatherproof nailed to a piece of lath, right on or in the line of the trail. Might be a chance to distribute some flyers and other info as well.

[Shickdawg]

If you get any clearance from Ramsey Parks to do this, I'd certainly help. It disappoints me every time I go running along those trails to see bike tracks in the sand.

[homebrewbiker]

And it's apparent that no-one reads them. I'm thinking signage out on the trails themselves, it would be sufficiently out of context that it might actually get noticed. Something reasonably weatherproof nailed to a piece of lath, right on or in the line of the trail. Might be a chance to distribute some flyers and other info as well.
I live in North Minneapolis and ride my bike on the paved path along the Missisippi regional trail which winds into Snail Lake Park. There are several dirt track offshoots from that section. I don't recall seeing any signs prohibiting biking on those dirt path offshoots. You probably would want signs on the dirt paths that intersetct the paved path.

[Brick]

I live in North Minneapolis and ride my bike on the paved path along the Missisippi regional trail which winds into Snail Lake Park. There are several dirt track offshoots from that section. I don't recall seeing any signs prohibiting biking on those dirt path offshoots. You probably would want signs on the dirt paths that intersetct the paved path.
That's a long ride from home....dang! Anyways, at the entrance to each of the paved trail segments (which you need to traverse to get to the singletrack spurs) is a large grey signboard with the posted trail regs on it. There are approxamately 10 things listed on the board ONE of which (buried somewhere in the middle) states that bikes need to stay on the paved paths.

Yeah....signs wouldn't be along the paved path, but back on the singletrack where they would get noticed. I think they would look sufficiently out-of-place that they might get noticed.

The Grass lake segment (south of Gramsie road) I believe is classified as a "preserve" by the county as well and should also get some signs.

[Shickdawg]

Okay, so we definitely need some very clear signage. That much is clear from this discussion. So what's the next step? Calling Ramsey County as MORC? As a "group of concerned individuals"? Volunteering to put the signs up?

[Brick]

Okay, so we definitely need some very clear signage. That much is clear from this discussion. So what's the next step? Calling Ramsey County as MORC? As a "group of concerned individuals"? Volunteering to put the signs up?
I sent a note off to Steve Garnjobst ( Morc BC Trail Steward and Ramsey county liason) via Don Youngdahl (MORC Trail development guy). We should probably do it as MORC, and work that channels we have. Guess now all we do is wait and see.

[TML]

Hey, good discussion here guys. I too frequent Snail and vadnais, as I live right between them. Wish we could ride the singletrack in the parks but the first step in advancing our cause is to adhere to the existing rules. Boy there sure is a lot of potential in our area if we could just get into some of these places.

We ought to hook up some evening for a ride around our area. There is some dirt to ride within about 5 miles of us. I'm just down the street from you Kit, (Hawes Ave.). Where you at Eric?

BTW - Any of you guys notice the Marijuana growing in random places in the park?

[Brick]

Where you at Eric?
On Brigadoon, up on the top of the hill off off Snail Lake Blvd.


There is some dirt to ride within about 5 miles of us.
I think I know the area in question. :cool:

I WAS going to ride at Battle Creek tonite, but something 5 miles from the house sounds interesting.....busy?


Wish we could ride the singletrack in the parks but the first step in advancing our cause is to adhere to the existing rules. Yeah, it seems kind of odd being a bike advocacy group working to keep people OFF of trails. But I think that working with the county will help us get trails open in our area sooner rather than later.

[TML]

I WAS going to ride at Battle Creek tonite, but something 5 miles from the house sounds interesting.....busy?

Can't ride tonight. If I could, I probably would have joined you at battle creek (saw your other post). I'm kind of shot for the weekend as well so maybe an evening next week. I'll PM ya.

[Brick]

Can't ride tonight. If I could, I probably would have joined you at battle creek (saw your other post). I'm kind of shot for the weekend as well so maybe an evening next week. I'll PM ya.
Sounds good!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread already in progress.......:crazy:

[Shickdawg]

I can't ride tonight either... my wife has me painting the house. Oh well. Send me a PM when you are going to ride though!

[Brick]

I can't ride tonight either... my wife has me painting the house. Oh well. Send me a PM when you are going to ride though!
so that would make it the "no longer gold house on County Rd F and Demar?":crazy2:

I'll let you know.

[TML]

Send me a PM when you are going to ride though!
You bet. Probably some evening next week.

[MNbiker]

Don & I have talked about this, and we're not sure how productive it would be for MORC to get in the business of posting no trespassing signs in Snail Lake or other Ramsey County Parks that don't allow bikes off the paved trails. I'm going to talk with the County about this issue, and see what they want to do.

Note: in some cases, the County hasn't been interested in actively enforcing off-limits areas, as the impact hasn't been significant enough to warrant the time & expense. Snail Lake may be the exception, as John Moriarty of Ramsey County Parks & Rec has expressed some concern about a couple trails created/used there by the bmx crowd.

-Steve Garnjobst

[Brick]

Don & I have talked about this, and we're not sure how productive it would be for MORC to get in the business of posting no trespassing signs in Snail Lake or other Ramsey County Parks that don't allow bikes off the paved trails. I'm going to talk with the County about this issue, and see what they want to do.

Note: in some cases, the County hasn't been interested in actively enforcing off-limits areas, as the impact hasn't been significant enough to warrant the time & expense. Snail Lake may be the exception, as John Moriarty of Ramsey County Parks & Rec has expressed some concern about a couple trails created/used there by the bmx crowd.

-Steve Garnjobst Let me know, I'm willing to help....as are several others. Thanks for the follow-up!

Dare I bring up trailbuilding at Lake Vadnais??

e.

[Don Youngdahl]

Dare I bring up trailbuilding at Lake Vadnais??

e.
I've had that area in mind for some time as a potential "neighborhood" riding area. It's owned by St. Paul Water Deptartment, but I heard a few years ago that they had entered into an agreement with Ramsey County to open it more to recreational use. My contact with Ramsey County a two years ago drew a lukewarm response, but I think it has possibilities in the future as MORC credibility grows, and as MORC runs out of major trail projects to pursue in the metro area.

Don Youngdahl

[Brick]

My contact with Ramsey County a two years ago drew a lukewarm response, but I think it has possibilities in the future as MORC credibility grows, and as MORC runs out of major trail projects to pursue in the metro area.

I think that with the logging activity that has been going on back there for the last couple of years, now might be a good time to bring the subject back up. Since parts of the park have been logged out, it may be a good time to get trail crews back in there.

Just a thought.....

e.

[TML]

I think that with the logging activity that has been going on back there for the last couple of years, now might be a good time to bring the subject back up. Since parts of the park have been logged out, it may be a good time to get trail crews back in there.

Just a thought.....

e.
I agree. Maybe at least check in with them again and let them know there's people willing to work to bring recreation into what would be a great area. I know timing is a big part though, so if it's better to wait a little bit I understand. It all depends though. Maybe they need someone yanking on their pantleg to get things going.

[Brick]

Any new information or updates? Just curious.

e.