First off, kudos to Grillparzer in his cooperation in moving "Trail Access in Parks after Dark for Bicycle Commuters" legislation forward.

On liability, there is always a liability, it all turns around taking *reasonable* precautions (a unbarricaded open pit in the middle of a trail would probably still have liability issues after dark if the park service knew about it and failed to take any action.) The problem at the moment seems to be we are dealing with a park service that as policy if it is going to keep a ball field open at night it needs lights and a call box. So extending that "logic" a trail would also "need" lighting and call boxes every 1/4 mile. Since they can't afford to do that they are against bicyclists using the trail at night. We are trying to say that bit is not necessary (we have other trails without lights and call boxes that are used at night with no liability issues.)

We really need to find out what exactly are MNCPPC concerns before recommending a remedy. But thanks for the research on other states laws, that may come in handy.