Looking for Input, Trail Work at Harmon Park

[KleinCrazy]

Hey all,

James Ford here, Vice President of MORC and Trail Steward for Harmon Park in Inver Grove Heights.

I am looking for input on our new Trail being built in the south east metro.

With the IMBA crew here last week, we got a good start on the Core loop, and general layout for the 2nd extended loop in the park. What I am looking for is member input on what comes next.

Here is what I am looking for.

1. Are you interested helping out with the building of this new trail?

2. If so, which day of the week would you most like to have trail work? Use the Above Poll.

3. If you have attended an IMBA Trail School, would you be intersted in being a Trail Boss? You would be responsible for helping to organize trail days, lead work crews, help with layout and design, and be my backup.

I would like to start work in the park in July, but would like to set a plan by the June 25 so that I can get everything cleared with the Park Staff.

The first couple of sessions will not require any mechanized help from Trail Source as we have about 4/10's of a mile of finish work and stump pulling to do on the trail we cut last week.

Please let me know if your interested and any ideas that you have.

Thanks
James

[KleinCrazy]

My answers,

1. Yes

2. Wednesday is my first choice for Trail Work.


I can not work on Thursdays due to the Buck Hill Races and Tuesdays are very hard due to Lebanon trail work and Buck Hill Races.


I am also going to ask around at places in the area for sponsorship type of things for the workers. The Local Bike Shops, Food Establishments, Gertens, etc for any help that might be able to provide for building an attraction that will bring people into thier establishments.

i.e. Bars/Goo/ Bottles from shop for trail workers, Food coupons at food establishments, etc. As well as Posting flyers about the work days at sponsors etc. Gertens might be very useful as I have to believe they have lots on unsellable landscaping materials lying around that we might be able to make use of.

If anyone knows/owns/whatever a local business that you think would benefit from us building this trail please let me know.

L8er
James

[gopherhockey]

I agree that Tuesdays and Thursdays are probably the worst days. If it was any other, I'd definitely answer YES and will make myself available to help out. (this is going to be one very nice trail!)

Wed. would be my first choice as well. I don't know that Tim/Dale could do mechanized work those days, but that doesn't mean the trail crew can't do finishing work behind them, whatever day they select.

I think Tim has some extra energy bars and so forth that could be used to help lure in trail workers.

I hope eventually IGH gets a good crew like the one we have been getting at Lebanon. As we continue to make more trails available for mountain bikes, we'll definitely have to start developing core trail groups and dirt bosses at each location.

I have no doubt with James in charge over at Harmon that this will be yet another successful example of MORC's trail building efforts in the area.

[debermart]

Yes. Definitely interested in more biking trails in the east metro. Wednesday nights do work best as I like to hit the Afton races on Tuesday nights and (occasionally) the buck hill ones on Thursdays (and the wife likes me available on Friday nights).

Cheers

Steve

[grizzly adam]

It seems that Wednesdays is kind of the shoe-in day, any ideas about times? I would like to see something around 6.30 just because of traffic. What's silly is I work in Shoreview, but have to pick up the wife in MPLS to get her home.

maybe she'll have to take one for the team and take the bus once a week! ;)

[Lil' Punk]

i chose mondya becuase with trail work on Tues. and buckhill Thur. along with Youth Group wed. monday just fitted into my plans better and easier. . .but fri would alos work out. . .but whatever is good . . .Peace Out. . .:banana:

[Trevize1138]

I'd love to help out. The way my life is now, though, I'd be trading up helping at Lebannon to help at Harmon.

But, Lebannon already now has a loop system totalling nearly 8 miles, so I'm all for adding miles to a whole new trail. =)

Wet my appetite here, though. How much trail (miles?) do you have cut? What's the grand vision? What's the earliest this trail will open for riding and how long will it be at that time?

I just want more miles, more miles, MORE MILES! :D

[gopherhockey]

Traitor... ;)

[Trevize1138]

I didn't wanna ride your stupid XX loop anyway!

:mad:

[ryno lite]

I like Wednesdays also, with Tuesday being Lebanon and Thursday being volleyball, it would work great! Having another day to work on trails would be great so that I could redeem myself when I can't get to Tuesday nights! Although I don't want to face the wrath of John if I start skipping Tues for Wed!

[gopherhockey]

I find myself sleeping better at night now that nobody can poach the XX loop anymore.... the best way to stop poachers is to open the dang thing up!

;)

[manitouman84]

What is the current situation at Harmon, what has been built so far? How can I help. Also....

More miles is better. Id like to come out and help the crew, and if this is the general interest, I think more miles should be flagged off the main proposed trail.

[KleinCrazy]

Thanks for the interest,

Trail work is planned for every wednesday Night at 6:00pm.

We are currently doing more flagging and layout work and will be deep into construction for the next couple of months.

We would love to have any and all come out and help.

James