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| Trails Care |
Trails CareEveryday UseUse and enjoy the trails. That's why they exist. It is important for us all to do our part to ensure their integrity. Take your trash with you when you leave. Show respect for the trails and for plant life and any animals you encounter. The trails are designated as multi-use. While on the trails, you may encounter others walking, running, hiking or mountain biking. Exercise proper trail ettiquette at all times. We use the trails year-round. We monitor them and continually maintain them. However, if you see problems that need to be addressed, please contact the Club. For information on Trail Modifications, see the Trail Modifications section below.
Use these simple guidelines and the trails experience will be excellent for all of us. Spring & Fall CleanupIn both the Spring and Fall there is a group clean-up. Other dates may be scheuduled during the riding season. Check our calendar for dates and times. Notification will also be posted on trail landmarks prior to Spring and Fall Cleanups. During Cleanup times, a small mass of people attacks the trails with leaf blowers, rakes and whatever tools are necessary to complete the job. The more people that assist in the cleanup, the faster the work gets done. We'd love to see you there. Trail ModificationsSince the Ella Sharp Park trail system was officially recognized in 1999, responsibility for trail maintenance was granted to the Cascades Cycling Club by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Jackson. We take seriously our responsibility to maintain the trails and are glad to have the opportunity to maintain a system of trails that provides fun and enjoyment to so many people. We've invested much thought and consideration and time into designing great trails. The trails, taken as a whole, offer a variety of experiences. In designing the trails, we must operate within certain limitations and contstraints. We have an agreement in place with the Park and there are legal issues to consider. Our agreement with the Park stipulates that there be no bike races/time trials and that the trails not become MMBA sponsored trails. The higher trail traffic that designation would generate and the increased likelihood of someone being hurt on the trails are results the Park does not want. In addition, the negative publicity from an accident would be undesirable. Any of those things by itself or in combination would probably result in the trails being closed. That is a result none of us want.
Because of these considerations, any modifications to existing trails and the creation of any new trails
must be performed with the approval of the Cascades Cycling Club.
| If you want to suggest modifications to trails within Ella Sharp, please contact us. We will consider suggestions and will evalutate them. We realize that the Ella Sharp Trails can not be everything to everybody. If you are searching for more significant mountain bike challenges, in terms of distance or difficulty, allow us to direct you to other terrific trails offered in other areas of Michigan. We ride other trails too--maybe we'll see you on some of those trails. To view a letter from the City of Jackson, Parks and Recreation Department, illustrating the agreement
with the Cascades Cycling Club in reference to the Ella Sharp trails (in MS Word format), click
here
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