Shorty
05-27-2007, 11:42 AM
Is this trail going to stay free to ride? I know we need a trail tag for our horse($30 a year) to ride the horse trails. I wouldn't mind paying for a trail tag if 3RPD added MTB trails at more of thier locations.
There is a possibility of user fees in the future... just to warn everyone. Three Rivers is moving toward user fees - which is why you saw the parking fees go away in the last couple years.
There are some within the park district that want user fees for the singletrack trail, but most of the Three Rivers personnel that I've talked to feel the trail should be free. While it is true that equestrians pay and mountain bikers don't, the horse clubs (as far as I'm aware) do not volunteer to maintain the trails and did not contribute money to the construction of the horse trails. This is a major reason I don't see Three Rivers charging user fees for mountain bikers.
There are a few reasons I feel they won't go to fees for the mtb trail:
1. I was told fees are based on how much the amenity (trail, beach, playground, etc.) costs to maintain... not construction costs. On this basis, I would guess Three Rivers would opt for no fees since MORC is donating thousands of dollars worth of labor to help maintain the trail - greatly reducing their costs.
2. Fees would greatly influence usage since there are so many other trails in the area that are free.
3. The trail is multi-use. Mountain bikers would be paying to ride their bikes on the trail, but hikers and trail runners would use the trail free. I'd guess focusing on one user group for using a multi-use trail wouldn't be a very popular move.
MORC membership money will not go to maintenance of the trail... MORC helped financially during the construction of the trail. MORC's contribution from here on out will be with it's back... volunteer labor to build features and help maintain the trail.
MORC will continue to work very hard toward keeping this opportunity free.
A lot of this will get re-evaluated if Three Rivers develops more mountain bike trails within other parks...
It will be more likely that fees will be charged if there are multiple trails to ride within Three Rivers' parks... I could see a mtb pass created (similar to a ski pass - you buy it and you can ride at any of their mtb trails).
Thanks!
There is a possibility of user fees in the future... just to warn everyone. Three Rivers is moving toward user fees - which is why you saw the parking fees go away in the last couple years.
There are some within the park district that want user fees for the singletrack trail, but most of the Three Rivers personnel that I've talked to feel the trail should be free. While it is true that equestrians pay and mountain bikers don't, the horse clubs (as far as I'm aware) do not volunteer to maintain the trails and did not contribute money to the construction of the horse trails. This is a major reason I don't see Three Rivers charging user fees for mountain bikers.
There are a few reasons I feel they won't go to fees for the mtb trail:
1. I was told fees are based on how much the amenity (trail, beach, playground, etc.) costs to maintain... not construction costs. On this basis, I would guess Three Rivers would opt for no fees since MORC is donating thousands of dollars worth of labor to help maintain the trail - greatly reducing their costs.
2. Fees would greatly influence usage since there are so many other trails in the area that are free.
3. The trail is multi-use. Mountain bikers would be paying to ride their bikes on the trail, but hikers and trail runners would use the trail free. I'd guess focusing on one user group for using a multi-use trail wouldn't be a very popular move.
MORC membership money will not go to maintenance of the trail... MORC helped financially during the construction of the trail. MORC's contribution from here on out will be with it's back... volunteer labor to build features and help maintain the trail.
MORC will continue to work very hard toward keeping this opportunity free.
A lot of this will get re-evaluated if Three Rivers develops more mountain bike trails within other parks...
It will be more likely that fees will be charged if there are multiple trails to ride within Three Rivers' parks... I could see a mtb pass created (similar to a ski pass - you buy it and you can ride at any of their mtb trails).
Thanks!