Threatened trail system in WV
 

Mountwood Park Trail System Threatened!
The Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission is deliberating allowing equestrians into Mountwood Park, the site of WVMBA's season-opening race.

The input of all WVMBA members and anyone who has ever benefitted from biking or hiking on this fantastic western West Virginia trail network is needed immediately to prevent what could become a source of serious conflict and a threat to one of the most popular venues on the WVMBA circuit.

Follow the links below to make your voice heard by the Mountwood Park administration and the Wood County Commission. Remember: The loss of quality trail access anywhere in the state hurts us all, and also damages West Virginia's reputation as one of the premiere mountain biking destinations in the nation!

Points to consider in your correspondence:

1. The current 30+ miles of volunteer-constructed singletrack has a rock-solid regional and an emerging national reputation, and is one of Mountwood's top user attractions, bringing much money and visitors to this part of the state. All of this is accomplished at zero expense to taxpayers!

2. With just slightly over 2000 acres, there is not room for an additional (let alone sustainable) trail network at Mountwood.

3. Horses in Mountwood will inevitably lead to user conflict, the degradation of the current trail system and overall park environment, and a host of liabilities for Mountwood Park's land managers.

Please take the time to let Mountwood's administration and the Wood County Commission know what is at stake in this issue in a direct and non-confrontational way. The strength of mountain biking in West Virginia depends solely upon our willingness to speak and take a stand.

Mountwood Park: Joe Oppe (Executive Director), joeoppe@wvdsl.net

Wood County Commission:

David Blair Couch, dbc@woodcountywv.com
Bob Tebay, bobtebay@woodcountywv.com
Rick Modesitt, rickmodesitt@woodcountywv.com

horses destroy trails.

nuff said. Good luck in your fight

I have a horse...

But I still don't think they belong on public trails.

It's not the horses, it's the riders. If they actually participated in trail maintenance it wouldn't be as much of a problem. The horses have slowly, but surely, destroyed the short climbs on one of my favorite GA trails (I live in WV now though). I'll be writing the mountwood administration tomorrow.

Besides, the horse riders have a huge trail system - specifically for them - just up the road at Northbend State Park.