New Trail in Inver Grove Heights

[TrailDale]

It's looking good so far. Plans are for 4 to 6 miles of new singletrack in a park that has never been developed.

MORC met with the Parks Dept at Inver Grove Heights last Fall. We toured this park (and another park close by) and presented a preliminary plan for a mountain bike trail system. In January, we gave a presentation to the City Parks Commission and got unanimous approval to move on to the City Council. Prior to that, a public meeting had to occur, and MORC presented the trail plans to over 40 City residents who were motivated enough to venture out for an evening meeting. Everyone left the meeting with a very positive view of MTB trail development and there were no objectors left by the end of the meeting. We're now on the agenda for a February 10th City Council presentation - and final approval.

We are working with the City in the application for a DNR Recreational Trails Program matching grant to help with the trail construction and the addition of trailhead facilities and signage. We're applying for a grant in excess of $20,000.

Thanks for your membership support. Your membership dollars DO make a big difference.

TrailDale

[jjrsds]

Just wondering when the trail building would be started if the trails are approved for Inver Grove Heights? Where would the trails be located also?

Thanks

JJ

[TrailDale]

Answers to your questions:

Where is Harmon Park?

Harmon Park is a section of land, about 70 acres, that was donated to the city years ago, and had remained undeveloped.
The park has no "park facilities" and is just open grassland and forest. Mountain biking will be the FIRST officially designated activity in the park.
It's located in Inver Grove Heights, north of 70th street and west of Babcock Trail. The only access to the park is on the far north end by the IGH water tower.

When will trail work start?

MORC has worked to gain the following approvals over the last 5 months:
1) Inver Grove Heights Director of Parks & Recreation
2) IGH Parks Commission
3) Community Public Hearing for near-by residents
4) IGH City Council

So far, two MORC directors and the MN IMBA rep have volunteered just over 100 hours of time to get the above approvals and to develop the initial DNR grant application.

We are nearing the end of the DNR grant application process (March 31st), and the grant conditions stipulate when work can start.
We can flag the corridor (which will happen this Spring and get finalized during the IMBA trail school the 1st week in June) but can't turn any dirt until the DNR grant is approved this summer.

In April and May, we'll be planning the route on BIG topographic maps, and then transfering our mapped routes onto the ground with colored ribbon and pin flags. BTW - Dakota Countly likes MORC's trail work so much, they give us free topgraphic maps - I just picked up over $100 worth of customized maps from the Government Center yesterday - no charge to MORC - way cool.

Given that we will be busy finishing construcion on the XX loop at Lebanon Hills in Eagan during April and May, and since we will be rebuilding the Rock Lake Trail in Wisconsin thru mid-June, and working on the River Trail until the end of June - I'd anticipate the trail work at Harmon Park to begin around July 1st. I've estimated we'll need another 900 volunteer hours to complete the trail.

Watch this site for updates.

TrailDale

[Trevize1138]

So, this trail is being made and maintained by the same folks who brought us the new singletrack at Lebannon? Sorry if it's a dumb question, kinda new to the forums and don't know much about the MORB yet =).

If this is true, I for one am pretty excited to ride it! Lebannon's become perhaps my favorite place to ride in the cities. I certainly could handle several other places like that! Hell, I might even volunteer to work on the trail this year! (probably an empty promise ... my only excuse is I'm lazy ...).

:crazy:

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by Trevize1138
So, this trail is being made and maintained by the same folks who brought us the new singletrack at Lebannon? Sorry if it's a dumb question, kinda new to the forums and don't know much about the MORB yet =).

If this is true, I for one am pretty excited to ride it! Lebannon's become perhaps my favorite place to ride in the cities. I certainly could handle several other places like that! Hell, I might even volunteer to work on the trail this year! (probably an empty promise ... my only excuse is I'm lazy ...).

:crazy:

Yup, MORC will be involved in the designing, building and maintaining of this trail, as well as a few other exciting new places in the cities this year. Most will be similar to Lebanon's new trails, which follow IMBA standards.

You should definitely get in on trail building this year... you will discover that even just one trail building session gives you an entirely new outlook on the trails you ride on. It only *sounds* like work to be out there digging around, but really it is not like anyone would think. YOu are always with fellow mountain bikers, you always get in on the latest and greatest news on the trails, and... well.. we just need good people to help build more trails. The more that help out, the sooner we all have more cool trail to ride.

I'd start by joining MORC if you haven't already - get a cool pair of free socks, get the newsletters, keep reading the forums.. then come join us at Lebanon one of these Tuesday evenings if you can. We'd be happy to have you!