Each week we select a news story, editorial, column or Letter to the Editor that's generated a lot of feedback at Postbulletin.com and reprint some of those comments on this page. Today's topic is a June 2 news story about a proposal to create new mountain biking trails in Indian Heights Park, a little-known, 40-acre park in northwest Rochester. Mountain bikers already use the area, but the Rochester Active Sports Club wants to improve and expand the existing trails. Residents near the park are objecting, citing concerns about erosion, damage to wildflowers and increased noise and traffic in the area.
Below are some of the comments we received.
"Mountain biking is very different from BMX biking. There will not be racing or time trials on a trail like Indian Heights Park. Users of this trail will be mostly active 20-30 year-olds getting exercise. This is an excellent form of exercise, does not impact wildlife nearly as much as someone using the park as a toilet for their dog. Mountain bikers use parks that otherwise sit empty or become a place for teenagers to party. Keep the parks vital by providing recreation that people use."
--------------------
"The south side of the park has a steep hill with houses below it, so erosion can actually cause property damage. There’s about a mile and a half of official trails up there, but the club wants over four miles. While the park trails could have some improvement and there is already some BMX activity, turning it into a large BMX competition center marks a significant change in the park’s use and negatively impacts the neighborhood. The only entrance to the park is at the end of a long dead end in the residential neighborhood on the north side, so traffic will impact neighbors. There are no facilities, so if the club wants time trials and competitions, they will have to build those. Who maintains that? If more than a dozen people show up, the parking lot will be full and we’ll have people parking along the street in the neighborhood."
ADVERTISEMENT
--------------------
"I agree. There is very little parking back there, and definitely no facilities. The hillsides are blanketed with trout lillies in the spring. I don’t think BMX bikers are going to be very careful about those. Would rather the paintball folks and the keggers went away so people out for a quiet, peaceful walk could enjoy the sanctuary in the heart of town."
--------------------
"I moved from the Cities where there are places to mountain bike — I do not mean racing BMX bikes. I mean taking my bike out on a trail and enjoying the path, nature and the skill it takes. Since I’ve moved here, I’ve really missed it. Please take a look at the Theo With and Lebanon Hills trails. Mountain bikes, walkers, bird watchers, and dog walkers all use the areas without conflict. The trails are well-made, maintained, and ecologically sensitive. I think there is a way we can all coexist."
--------------------
"I would like to know where the biking club members received their training in building trails that are friendly to the environment and do not produce erosion. I’d also like to know how the club plans to keep other users off the trail. I continue to be amazed as to how the caretakers in this city see the word NO as a four-letter word and won’t use it."
--------------------
"It’s a fantastic idea to have those trails developed so they are better suited for mountain biking and less erosion. We need more areas for people who do this, and the city has a responsibility to reasonably accommodate them. It's not too much to ask — there are enough 'softbeer' diamonds in town for the less-active folks. These neighbors who are complaining about a local active sports group doing what they do should kick their kids of the couch, pry the video game controller from their hands and join up. It might do ‘em some good to get out and exercise with some people who contribute positively to our community."
ADVERTISEMENT
--------------------
"The steep hill on the south side of the park has eroded due to walkers going straight up the fall line. In the absence of proper trails, people walk wherever they want and the consequence can be significant trail damage (many of the old trails in Quarry Hill have the same problem). Jeff Robertson and others from Rochester Active Sports Club have spent days training with organizations such as the International Mountain Biking Association on how to construct trails that will not cause erosion. ... BMX is NOT mountain biking. There is no intention to construct BMX trails at Indian Heights. There is NO intention to hold races or any event at Indian Heights. The park is too small and there are no facilities. ... The trails are intended to be multi-use. Walking, biking — no one is being kept off any trail."
--------------------
"Do the local residents object to the beer parties and broken glass that litters the park? The only way to discourage that is to make the park more attractive for legitimate activities."
--------------------
"They already have mountain biking at the park and nobody has complained about it so far. People need to learn how to share. Rochester needs more mountain bike courses. There are plenty of awesome parks in the cities where mountain bikers and other park users peacefully co-exist."
--------------------
"I am the trail steward for the Theodore Wirth mountain bike trail in Minneapolis. The trail has brought a ton a people to the park, and mountain biking has become the top use of the park. Kids, parents, serious riders, and people new to the sport enjoy the park. One thing we do when we build trail is we put the environment as our No. 1 consideration. We make a narrow trail called singletrack that is only 18 inches wide. We don’t take out larger trees, such as oaks, elms and pines, as we actually find the trail to be more enjoyable if it weaves around these bigger trees. All our trail is sustainable and build in IMBA guidelines. It’s a great addition to any park and the trail will not effect the habitat or the natural feel of a wooded area. ... Please don’t panic thinking people are asking to destroy a beautiful wooded area. That is the last thing mountain bikers want to do."
ADVERTISEMENT
--------------------
"Let’s just keep some park land full of nature and keep out the bikes of all kinds. Not enough places for people to go in this city without someone coming up on them on a bike. Let’s just get off the bike and walk!"
--------------------
"I didn’t even know that this existed as a public park! Will definitely have to check it out. Don’t know enough facts to comment on bikes vs, no bikes, but I would say that it’s NOT the city’s responsibility to build trails for bikes. If it’s OK for the environment and the bikers want to fund it, go for it."
