13 replies to this topic

[95vtr250]

*******Press Release*******

 

The Gateway Off-Road Cyclists have made a proposal to the City of Wildwood and St. Louis County to build a downhill directional flow trail in the currently undeveloped Belleview Farms Park.  This park is along the Meramec River corridor that includes the Al Foster Trail, Bluff View Trail System, Castlewood and West Tyson Trail Systems.  The Belleview Farms Trail System would be an extension of the already great trails along this corridor, but would provide the type of trails not available in our area and desired by many mountain bikers.

 

This proposal has been brought to the Wildwood City Council, so now is the time to make this public and rally the mountain bike community.  I'm attaching the basic proposal that GORC made to the City of Wildwood and St. Louis County Parks.  The map is a concept of what we propose.  The mileages are approximate until we design the trail(s) in detail.  The open, grassy area may be off limits to trails.  The pink trail and dual slalom trail may not happen due to open space requirements and other recreational uses.  However, it is hoped we can build an intermediate level flow trail from top to bottom with some advanced features built in.

 

This is preliminary and with any government project, a lengthy process that must be handled professionally and with respect to the land managers rules and regulations.  Please respect the fact that this park is currently closed.  But, feel free to contact your local Wildwood City Council person and express your support for this proposal.  Even if you don't live in Wildwood, contact the parks department and let them know how much you would like to see this type of trail in our area.  We, mountain bikers, have a huge presence in the St. Louis area and GORC needs your voice to make projects like this happen.  The poll we took a couple years ago on what type of trail you would like to see had over 1,500 votes.  That number was influential in this government decision to move forward.  Let's keep up the momentum.

 

If the project moves forward, there will be a lot of ways to get involved.  We, of course, will need help with the building of the trails, but in order to put in a first-class pump track and skills area, we will need donations of materials, time and money.  Our portion of this project will be all done by volunteers and funded by donations.  I'm sure we will be looking into fundraising opportunities in the future.

 

I'm also attaching the City of Wildwood document that introduces our proposal.  The complete proposal can be found on the City of Wildwood City Council agenda web page.

 

Sincerely,

Bryan Adams

Attached Files

•  2018 Belleview Farms Press Release.pdf   1.19MB   1169 downloads
•  Belleview Farms City Council Document.pdf   1.43MB   710 downloads

[zzzbullseye]

This is outstanding! My tail nub is wagging and I just piddled a little...  Let's make this happen STL!

[ZenkiS14]

Subscribing. 

 

Thank you.

[seamonkey]

This has been in the works for about 2 years and we are just to this stage. So when things don't seem to be happening... And if we get to the design phase we'll need input from the riding community. The proposed trail is a conceptual rendering of the directional downhill-orientd flow trail.

[Glen_PxC]

So stoked! I am definitely down to help build and in whatever other ways I can!

[Luke.Moore]

Thumbs up to this!

[dookeh]

ALL THE EMOJIS

[KevinG]

Thanks Bryan for taking the lead with this and all the time and effort you've invested!!

Hope this comes to fruition, what a fantastic addition it could make  to our growing network of awesome trails! 

[Jacksprawl]

Great news thanks for sharing.  I'll be sure to let the folks at City Hall know we support this and what a great use it would be.

 

[seamonkey]

The proposal to Wildwood has made the Wildwood paper. Many for, some against....

 

https://westnewsmaga...starts-up-again

[95vtr250]

A reminder, the Belleview Farms property is closed to the public.  That means you are trespassing if you go check it out.  There have been reports by locals that bikes have been crossing their property and going on to the Belleview Farms property.  You will be ticketed by police or park rangers if you are caught on neighboring private property or the Belleview Farms property.

 

Please consider we are trying to build support within the Sherman community.  Be respectful of the law and not trespass.

 

Thanks,

Bryan

[borders]

Haven't heard anything in a while, is this no-go or still a possibility?  

[seamonkey]

Bryan will have the most up to date info on this but i think he's out of town right now. I don't think anything is going to happen for "awhile" - at least a year or so, I believe.

--matt

[autobon7]

High on my Christmas list is some positive news moving forward about this project.