I would be more than happy to help in any way but have an agenda/ vision/ plan just like the rest of you.
I do not want groomed MTB trails anywhere along the Yarra and would not support Dirt Art or Glen Jacobs build. I do not want to have a designated area with everything else lost. Its been mentioned in the past- the beauty of the Yarra trails is that they can be accessed from home or the CBD and it is a journey rather than a destination.
I do not agree with the theory that trails should be natural and ridden in the extreme wet. I believe that trails should be closed or diverted to limit impact. I believe trails can be fortified to handle traffic and water without loosing the natural element. I would like to build some new trails out there- like a flowing trail down the powerlines. I am not a fan of big berms but some small ones would be great. I would also like to see a few technical features built as well.
Okay, so we're getting stuff on the table.
Regarding wet trails and closing them. The way this has worked over the past several years is that a *proper* landscape architect is brought in to report when we are concerned about the state of the trails. We then ride the trails with one of the rangers to photograph and confirm the action required. During the last big wet we were asked to block the diversion at the pesky leaking dam that people had cut. Everything else was open.
What I'm seeing here is that the one thing that anyone involved must be open to is the advice and decisions of people who have the qualifications and authority to decide. That's the only way to deal with individuals who prefer decisions that are different.
The way new trails have been cut in recent years is that we plan the proposed route with one of the rangers, it's mapped and then the slasher goes through. We ride it often and then when ready open either end and that section suddenly appears. There's not much romance in it.
The powerline section is begging for flowing trail but that soil is difficult to work with to deliver sustainable trail. It's been looked at in the past.
Berms would be fun as would opportunities for safe air.
I have other plans for developing new trail but perhaps better discussed with a core group of enthusiasts who are prepared to work. Digging is the easy bit. With just yours and James' requirements there's already conflict. Add my histroy and it becomes more clouded and polarised. Charlie wants another Buxton. Some want a fast race trail, others technical.
If we continue to work towards a long corridor along the Yarra then there's every chance that we can achieve it all - and already have in many respects. Conversely, if we are going to make any noise about developing Candlebark into an MTB park then the danger is that we get what we wish for. So we really really do need to have our shit together.