Eagle Creek Public Meeting June 6th

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

 

Do you want mountain bike trails at Eagle Creek Park?

Please join the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association on Wed, June 6 at the Pike Performing Art Center to show your support for mountain bike trails at Eagle Creek Park (see official press release below).
 
 It is important for mountain bikers to have a strong showing at this meeting. Folks will be given a 1-2 minute opportunity to express their support and/or concerns for these trails.  There is opposition to mountain biking trails at Eagle Creek and we need a strong turn out from the cycling community.  Please attend and provide positive comments why you want to see more mountain bike access in Indianapolis.
Stay up to date on this issue on the HMBA forums or the following Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MountainBikeTrailsInEagleCreekPark

This is also a great opportunity to show your support for the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (hmba.org) and all they have done for outdoor recreation in Indiana. The HMBA builds the best shared-use trails in the Midwest... hands down. We know that lives are busy, but if you love mountain biking and want to see more trails in the Indianapolis metro area, then this is the time to step up and say so. Anyone can be an advocate...
 
 -- OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE --
 
 Indy Parks Will Hold Listening Session Regarding Mountain Biking in Eagle Creek Park
 
 INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a public listening session to gather input on the topic of mountain biking in Eagle Creek Park. The public meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on June 6, 2012, at the Pike Performing Arts Center.
 
 At this time, there are no formal plans in place to add mountain bike trails to Eagle Creek Park. However, due to an increased level of public interest in the topic, Indy Parks would like for Parks staff to gain a fuller understanding of the views of community members.
 
 WHO: Indy Parks staff and members of the Indianapolis community
 WHAT: Public listening session regarding mountain biking in Eagle Creek Park
 WHEN: June 6, 2012
 Sign-in and seating will begin at 5:30 p.m.
 Meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
 WHERE: Pike Performing Arts Center
 6701 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268

[tjuillerat]

An online petition has been started to show support for mountain bike/mutli-use trails at Eagle Creek Park. Please take a moment to sign this petition.. then pass it on to your friends!
 
https://www.change.org/petitions/indy-parks-and-recreation-allow-multi-use-hiking-biking-trail-running-trails-at-eagle-creek-park

[fender__bender]

There was a notice on WIBC this morning about the public meeting

[tjuillerat]

Channel 6 came out and did a news story today as well.
 
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/31126554/detail.html
 
 

[fender__bender]

Wow, looks like I started quite a spat with "Whatever"

[tjuillerat]

Wow, looks like I started quite a spat with "Whatever"

What's funny is the number of times he refers to mountain bikers as "cry babies"... yet he is the only one who appears to be crying at this point.  I also wonder if he knows that those 300 signatures (now 370+) were gathered in less then 36 hours.
 
You can't please everyone - and we're most certainly not going to please this guy.  Keep spreading the word, showing your support and making plans to attend the public meeting next Wednesday!

[bballr4567]

I wonder if someone could bring up the Decorah Eagles and how they live within a stones throw of a house and horse barn.

[Dave G.]

Wow, looks like I started quite a spat with "Whatever"

The guy is a troll and a bomb-thrower.  He understands nothing about mountain bikers.  I suspect he knows nothing about birders either.

IIRC, there is a section of park property near the 71st st entrance referred to as the Bird Sanctuary. I remember back in my running days, the birders hated it when we would run through there on Sunday mornings doing our long runs, while they were out with cameras and binoculars.  In a way, I see their side of the issue, but I know it's hard for them to come up with a justification for keeping out cyclists without sounding like elitist snobs who want to keep everyone out of "their" area. 

I suppose it will all come down to which group will have the most political power and sway with IndyParks.  The birders have a big presence on the Eagle Creek Park Foundation.  Considering that HMBA got permission to build at Fort Harrison, the birders may feel a sense of urgency to really fight hard to keep us out of ECP  I really don't logically see how HMBA can be denied at ECP, based on it's track record with the Indiana DNR and the state parks. 

Dave

[Dave G.]

Looks like HMBA has hit the big time--We've drawn Mike Vandeman's attention.  It's pretty bad to have such a sour outlook on life and devote so much time and effort to deny others any enjoyment.

Dave

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

For those unfamiliar with Mike V.

http://evergreenmtb.org/php/show_page.php?page_id=32

[RDF73Charger]

I think we have to be as nice as we can.
Reach out to any opposition groups and tell or even show them the
good trail work HMBA has done.
 

[Jeff Blum]

I look at Mr. Vandeman's comments differently:

"Bicycles should not be allowed in any natural area. They are inanimate objects and have no rights."

Clothing is a collection of inanimate objects and therefore should not be allowed in any natural area.  Hooray for naked hiking!

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

Where will you be 6-6-12 ? 

This Wednesday's meeting is the most important meeting in the history of HMBA's advocacy efforts.  It will set the ground work for the future of Indianapolis mountain biking and have a state wide impact on City Parks.

Our opposition is lining up to keep us out.  They want to keep us out.

It is very important for those wanting more mountain bike access in Indianapolis to make every effort to attend the meeting.  Anyone who wishes to speak will get two (2) minutes.  Please speak about the positive reasons you have for adding mountain bike trails.  Talk about volunteer trail work you do, how mountain biking has made you healthier, how your family likes to mountain bike, how trails at eagle creek would help the local economy, etc....  Please do not respond directly to the opposition.  This is not a debate and we do not need to argue with them.  Please take the high road. 

Meeting details:
WHEN: June 6, 2012
     Sign-in and seating will begin at 5:30 p.m.
     Meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
WHERE:  Pike Performing Arts Center

Other ways to help

Free way to help: sign the online petition https://www.change.org/petitions/indy-parks-and-recreation-allow-multi-use-hiking-biking-trail-running-trails-at-eagle-creek-park

Join HMBA-IMBA:  http://www.imba.com/membership
     -  Not sure if you are current member?  Log on to the IMBA site using your email address and check on you               
        membership status.

[dtonak]

Very unfortunate timing for me because I will be out of town. I am a few miles from Eagle Creek and will pitch where I can, but just can't make the meeting. I hope there is a good turn out and productive discussion.

[mastertim]

I'll be there to listen and support.