Sunfish Lake, Lake Elmo

[trogolodyte16]

Has MORC looked at this gem of a park, Sunfish Lake in Lake Elmo? Last time I trapsed through this pedestrian only park, many trees were down, lots of overgrown areas and general disrepair.

It is an awesome park that is not used for anything but animals - with some care and (feeding) it would make an incredible mountain bike park - sold to Lake Elmo as a multi-use area maybe?

Replies requested please.:D

[danger!]

Sunfish used to be open to MTBs, but complaints from mainly the equestrian population shut that down. I talked to someone here a year or so ago about it, and it seemed to be on MORCs radar, but not sure how high a priority it has.

It was really a great place to ride, nice flowing loops, not too much of one thing-up or down, and within riding distance from Stillwater and many other towns.

I would love to see Sunfish open to bikes again, and if there is anything I can do to help, I'd lend as much of a hand as I am able to.

-Dan

[GearDaddy]

There is a history here. Mountain biking once existed at this park some 10+ years ago. It was indeed a fun place to ride. There were some erosion issues, and some trail repair was done. But eventually the mountain biking was banned here.

[trogolodyte16]

Questions -

Is the same anti-MTB staff still in place?

Has anyone approached the town council lately?

Would anyone like to work on it with yours truly?

Thanks,

Bill:banana:

[SuperV]

I would help out on the Sunfish Lake Park. It would be great to see it open for MTBs again. It's not used very much right now. We need an official MORC rep in place.

[danger!]

I would try to free up some time to help out. I would love to see it open to MTBs again, especially since it's so close to home for me. And I could be all sentimental about "how I used to ride there all the time". :D

[trogolodyte16]

I would help out on the Sunfish Lake Park. It would be great to see it open for MTBs again. It's not used very much right now. We need an official MORC rep in place.

How is this achieved? :confused:

[flea]

Yeah Sunfish Lake is , oops was, a really fun layout for mtb. I recall that the horse people basically laid claim with a "We were here first, and we live here" arguement to kick out the bikes. And gotta admit horses and bikes don't make the greatest trail sharing partners on a hilly curving trail system. Funny though, hikers don't mind stomping all over the groomed ski trails at Sunfish in the winter although the trails are closed to hiking at that time.

[Magic]

I think it would be hard pressed to get MTB's back into this park. The horse lovers still ride their often. About 15 years ago some kid on a bike slammed into a horse and rider. The city said enough is enough and gave the park a horse and walker only designation. I've lived out in this area for a good chunk of my life and agree that this is a good place to ride. But when I contacted the City of Lake Elmo in the 80's about opening up to bikes, they had no interest. The main thing I heard back then was "it's just something else the city has to take care of". So since that time I have written it off. Except for the midnight bonzi runs. If someone can turn the city around on there thinking, that would be great. But for now my family and I will walk the park. One thing to remember, Lake Elmo is an old fashion city. They don't like to much development. It would be nice to have another trail in the east metro, so someone has to step up to the plate and swing for the fences.:etard:

[berrywise]

I love Sunfish, used to have ski practise out there in high school and almost got arrested one time for playing a huge game of capture the flag out there at night. The look on the officer's face when all these kids in full camo come walking out of the woods :)

To bad they couldn't open it for night riding only as a compromise. There are some great loops out there and sprinkle in a little bit singletrack it would be fantastic.

I think there are better fights to be had though as the horse sentiment is strong in that area.

[trogolodyte16]

I used to run out there, Sunfish, and it was awesome - I think back to a year ago and it would be so AWESOME for MTBing - I'll take the lead, follow MOCA's example, use their guidelines and begin - can anyone think of a stumbling block?:confused: :crazy:

[Don Youngdahl]

The principle human obstacle to mountain biking at Sunfish Lake is a neighbor lady who hates mountain bikes and shall remain nemeless, who regards the park as sort of her private preserve.

Unfortunately, most of the trails there are X-C ski trails (I helped build some of them) or old farm roads that go directly down the fall line, with considerable erosion problems if there is any significant MTB or equestrian use.

I suspect that if we could wave the proverbial magic wand and get Lake Elmo to allow mountain biking at Sunfish Lake tomorrow, MORC trail development leadership would say "no thanks, unless we can build all new sustainable single track".

That said, are there any Lake Elmo residents willing to step up to the plate to at least give it a try, and get our oar in the water. Things do change, and people do change or move along.

Don Youngdahl