gcouyant
Farkin Advertiser
Hi Guys,
A few here will already be aware of recent initiatives by Parks Vic to embrace community involvement in managing and maintain Parks assets. Over the years a good deal of unauthorised and illegal trail had been created along the yarra corridor with MTB being the primary activity. Historically, depending upon the rangers of the day, riders were either tolerated or chased off illegal trail - but never embraced.
In recent times, through the actions of good MTB enthusiasts and organisations, the profile of MTB is now seen as a valid activity on Parks land. Once valid, it opened the door for guerrilla trail to become authorised and for trail classification to go from illegal trail to authorised trail and to then be classed as an asset.
For a bunch of crusty trail fairies along this corridor, an opportunity to come out (so to speak) presented itself early in the year with the P4P 6 Hour Enduro at Candlebark Park (includes Hans Loop). Whilst there was a good deal of resistance from some in the MTB community, others welcomed the event. Parks who were caught in the middle with pressure from both opposing MTB camps went looking for expert advice in order to make informed decisions. When we cast our mind back to early in the year, the trails at Candlebark were markedly tired and with so much ad-hoc maintenance over the years and in particular the past year or two, the trails were reduced to a hotchpotch of drainage trenches, tree trunks and rocks.
To cut a long story short, a small group of individuals worked with Parks in order to investigate and assess the trails, to then take responsibility for the trail after the event and into the future. Moreover, to seize the opportunity of favourable Parks focus on the use and enjoyment of the parks and to work with Parks Vic to manage these exciting and challenging trails for a productive, sustainable and trusting relationship with the relevant land owners.
Since then, through the work of some fantastic volunteers and Parks staff and work sessions every three weeks or so, the trails are MTB worthy, honour and respect the character of the trail and natural features for a compelling and rewarding riding experience on trail that looks like it belongs and comfortable in its surroundings.
Parks management and staff have also been pitching in regularly. Who would have thought that we'd ever see the day when Parks rangers join in with enthusiast volunteers to dig trail that had been kicking around illegal for years and years.
Regular reports on volunteer activity as well so we're all on the same page with copies of recent sessions here:
http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-09-12/work-day.html
http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-10-03/work-day.html
And every now and then ride to inspect and analyse trail. http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-10-25/work-day.html
Whilst reporting of trail management activity has been going on for a several months on other cycling forums and groups, the purpose of this thread is to bring reporting to the RB forum and to provide opportunity for members here to participate in authorised trail maintenance and management.
A few here will already be aware of recent initiatives by Parks Vic to embrace community involvement in managing and maintain Parks assets. Over the years a good deal of unauthorised and illegal trail had been created along the yarra corridor with MTB being the primary activity. Historically, depending upon the rangers of the day, riders were either tolerated or chased off illegal trail - but never embraced.
In recent times, through the actions of good MTB enthusiasts and organisations, the profile of MTB is now seen as a valid activity on Parks land. Once valid, it opened the door for guerrilla trail to become authorised and for trail classification to go from illegal trail to authorised trail and to then be classed as an asset.
For a bunch of crusty trail fairies along this corridor, an opportunity to come out (so to speak) presented itself early in the year with the P4P 6 Hour Enduro at Candlebark Park (includes Hans Loop). Whilst there was a good deal of resistance from some in the MTB community, others welcomed the event. Parks who were caught in the middle with pressure from both opposing MTB camps went looking for expert advice in order to make informed decisions. When we cast our mind back to early in the year, the trails at Candlebark were markedly tired and with so much ad-hoc maintenance over the years and in particular the past year or two, the trails were reduced to a hotchpotch of drainage trenches, tree trunks and rocks.
To cut a long story short, a small group of individuals worked with Parks in order to investigate and assess the trails, to then take responsibility for the trail after the event and into the future. Moreover, to seize the opportunity of favourable Parks focus on the use and enjoyment of the parks and to work with Parks Vic to manage these exciting and challenging trails for a productive, sustainable and trusting relationship with the relevant land owners.
Since then, through the work of some fantastic volunteers and Parks staff and work sessions every three weeks or so, the trails are MTB worthy, honour and respect the character of the trail and natural features for a compelling and rewarding riding experience on trail that looks like it belongs and comfortable in its surroundings.
Parks management and staff have also been pitching in regularly. Who would have thought that we'd ever see the day when Parks rangers join in with enthusiast volunteers to dig trail that had been kicking around illegal for years and years.
Regular reports on volunteer activity as well so we're all on the same page with copies of recent sessions here:
http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-09-12/work-day.html
http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-10-03/work-day.html
And every now and then ride to inspect and analyse trail. http://www.yarratrails.com.au/trailwork/2015-10-25/work-day.html
Whilst reporting of trail management activity has been going on for a several months on other cycling forums and groups, the purpose of this thread is to bring reporting to the RB forum and to provide opportunity for members here to participate in authorised trail maintenance and management.