Forgotten, neglected, hidden gem???

[matt_laker]

What category (or blend of the three) does Avon/Washington Park fit into?  Planning to ride it today to make my own assessment and see the light is yellow but no trail conditions have been posted in four months.  I'll post up after I've been, along with my "vote."

[Dave G.]

What category (or blend of the three) does Avon/Washington Park fit into?  Planning to ride it today to make my own assessment and see the light is yellow but no trail conditions have been posted in four months.  I'll post up after I've been, along with my "vote."

Washington Twp Park has two personalities...one section is quite technical, while the rest is very easy and beginner level.  It gets used alot by local runners, so watch out for the peds!

[matt_laker]

Sounds good, thanks for the heads-up!  Didn't end up making it out today but plan to in the near future.  That is kind of what I gathered in reading old posts/info., and was also told that one trail completely washed away.  I plan to take it slow, at least on the first lap/more technical sections until I get a feel for it.

[Wingspan]

I rode this park quite a bit last summer and last week for the first time this year. It's sad. The park is a shadow of what it was. The spring flooding has done a ton of damage. Some of the trails are just gone, all the bridges are damaged and the big bridge on Brian's Free Ridin' trail is gone.  Much of the trail surface is now soft sand and little if any weed whacking has been done this year. Several of the trails are covered in chest high weeds and there are many trees down. 

[Steve King]

I rode this park nearly quite a bit last summer and last week for the first time this year. It's sad. The park is a shadow of what it was. The spring flooding has done a ton of damage. Some of the trails are just gone, all the bridges are damaged and the big bridge on Brian's Free Ridin' trail is gone.  Much of the trail surface is now soft sand and little if any weed whacking has been done this year. Several of the trails are covered in chest high weeds and there are many trees down. 

Perhaps organizing a work day would be in order.

[Wingspan]

Perhaps organizing a work day would be in order.

I'd be more than happy to participate in a work day at WTP and have offered such whenever there has been mention of one.  However, I have neither the trail building knowledge/experience or tools to organize a work day. 

[Steve King]

Perhaps organizing a work day would be in order.

I'd be more than happy to participate in a work day at WTP and have offered such whenever there has been mention of one.  However, I have neither the trail building knowledge/experience or tools to organize a work day. 

There is a work day this Tuesday (6/18/13) at Town Run at 5:30 p.m.
 
A work day this Wednesday (6/19/13) at Fort Harrison at 6:00 p.m. Lawrence Creek Parking lot.
http://www.hmba.org/smf/index.php?topic=11384.0
 
A work day this Thursday (6/20/13) at Southwestway at 6:00 p.m.
http://www.hmba.org/smf/index.php?topic=11620.0;topicseen
 
Work days this Saturday and Sunday (6/22/13 - 6/23/13) at Brown County.
http://www.hmba.org/smf/index.php?topic=11630.0;topicseen
 
Come to any one of these or all of them, and you'll learn everything you need to know about trail maintenance and repair.
 

[Endial]

There is a work day this Tuesday (6/18/13) at Town Run at 5:30 p.m.
A work day this Wednesday (6/19/13) at Fort Harrison at 6:00 p.m. Lawrence Creek Parking lot.
http://www.hmba.org/smf/index.php?topic=11384.0

Wish I wasn't Busy Wednesday now

[matt_laker]

I'll be happy to work at any trail when able as well.  I also do not have the tools nor the experience, but at least plan to change the "no experience" part this summer.  My question is, if Wash. Park is truly a HMBA trail, why doesn't it have regular and routine work days like the ones Steve mentioned?  I think I know the answer (not enough volunteers willing to do it on a regular basis), but if there are other factors, please advise.  I would think that opponents of mtb trails would only need to point to one that hasn't been adequately maintained and say "Exhibit A" is this trail.

I live and work on the southeast side so wouldn't bo a good candidate to organize consistent work days but would participate in them as often as possible.

[bboehman]

Hi all,
  Here is where Avon is.  For a long time Brian, Todd, and I did a lot of the trailwork with very little help anytime it was announced.  After many years of Brian leading it he finally had to step down as his kids were getting older and he wanted to spend time with them.  He posted on here to pass the mantle and nobody took it, so after a couple of weeks I agreed even though I knew I didn't have the time with working four jobs at the time.  I did run a few when needed and on a few of those occassions I was the only one to show up.  Since that time I have taken a Principal job which leaves me hardly any free time and we are about to add kid number 4 with three of them being 5 and under.  Also, my house and projects went down as I lead trailwork at the park.  I am at a point right now where I rode Avon one time last year even though it is a half a mile away and this year still haven't.  I can't justify the time to a place I am not even going to when I need to spend the time with my kids and finally work on my own house projects.  Basically the only time I am riding the mtn bike is the DINO series or SWW park when we take kids from school there.  Not trying to be negative just explain that at this point the old leadership doesn't even ride out there anymore as we are at stages in life where it isn't in the schedule and as a result the trailwork has dwindled.  Avon needs someone who actually  rides there on a frequent basis to take over and continue the things we had done in the past.  I can call a weedeating day but that is temporary it is not a solution as I won't be able to get out there enough.  Heck I am hoping to just ride it once again this year just to day I did it.  If someone is willing I can help to get you started we just need some fresh bodies as it became very frustrating for three of us to be the main ones for many years with a few others showing up sporadically, especially now that none of us are riding there. 
Bob

[Steve King]

I'll be happy to work at any trail when able as well.  I also do not have the tools nor the experience, but at least plan to change the "no experience" part this summer.  My question is, if Wash. Park is truly a HMBA trail, why doesn't it have regular and routine work days like the ones Steve mentioned?  I think I know the answer (not enough volunteers willing to do it on a regular basis), but if there are other factors, please advise.  I would think that opponents of mtb trails would only need to point to one that hasn't been adequately maintained and say "Exhibit A" is this trail.

I live and work on the southeast side so wouldn't bo a good candidate to organize consistent work days but would participate in them as often as possible.

You don't have to be an expert (we are all just volunteers) before you organize a work day.  All it takes is someone to step forward and do it.  Anything you do is better than the current situation.  Work days don't have to be weekly, they can be anything that works. 
 
For trail work, sometimes it's just trial and error.  Example, we are still struggling with a section of Lawrence Creek at Ft. Harrison!

[JCRevel1]

I live close to this park and rode it a LOT last year. Went to ride it about a month ago with my son and I was  very sad when I saw the conditions of the trails. To me the only  rideable section is the top trail, everything else at the bottom of the park is a mess. I will hate to see this MTB trail dissapear for lack of maintenance. I am willing to help out with work whenever I can and take my sons to help out. Saturdays or Sundays  early mornings works best for me and my teen boys.  The earlier the better or in the evenings after 6:00 p.m.  Whenever I am not able to help I will send my boys to help out if possible.