DOCSLIB.ORG

Roadside Equestrian & Mountain Bike Trails Strategy 2014-2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Roadside Equestrian & Mountain Bike Trails Strategy 2014-2019 Roadside Equestrian & Mountain Bike Trails Strategy 2014-2019 July 2014 Acknowledgements Many people have been contributed to the development of the draft and final versions of this report including individual horse riders, bike riders, members of clubs, conservation groups and other stakeholders. Their local knowledge, advice and input has been invaluable and essential to ensuring that the revised roadside trail network reflects current needs and is further developed in a sustainable way and appropriate way. Thank you to the Red Hill Riders for photographs. Roadside Equestrian and Mountain Bike Trails Strategy 2014-2019 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.0 Strategic Context ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Physical and Social Context ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Mountain Biking (MTB)............................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.2 Horse Riding ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.3 Walking and Cross-Country Trail Running ................................................................................................ 13 2.1.4 Tourism Operators .............................................................................................................................................. 14 2.2 A Sustainable Trail Network – Managing Natural and Cultural Heritage Values and Risk ........ 15 2.2.1 Roadside Reserves ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Relevant Policies and Strategies ........................................................................................................................ 19 3 Consultation to develop strategy ......................................................................................................................... 22 3.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Stakeholder Issues – Summary .......................................................................................................................... 22 3.3 Online Survey Results ............................................................................................................................................ 23 3.4 Trail User Workshops – Exploring Current Users’ Needs and Issues ................................................. 24 3.4.2 Sharing trails ......................................................................................................................................................... 24 3.4.3 Trail users’ priorities for works ..................................................................................................................... 24 3.4.4 Road safety and road crossings .................................................................................................................... 25 3.4.5 Increasing urban development and possible solutions ...................................................................... 25 3.5 Feedback on the Draft Strategy ........................................................................................................................ 25 4 Trail Assessment ......................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Trail Principles ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Trail Assessment Criteria ...................................................................................................................................... 26 4.3 Types of Trails ............................................................................................................................................................ 27 4.3.2 Rail Trail ................................................................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.3 Roadside Trail ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.3.4 A sustainable trail maintenance program ................................................................................................ 29 4.3.5 The long distance rides .................................................................................................................................... 30 Roadside Equestrian and Mountain Bike Trails Strategy 2014-2019 3 4.4 Trail Head Facilities ................................................................................................................................................. 30 5 Trail Context................................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.1 Minimising Environmental Risks and Impacts............................................................................................ 32 5.1.2 Looking after the Environment – Minimal Impact Trail Users’ Code ........................................... 33 5.2 Trail Users Code ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 5.3 Reserves where equestrian activities take place ....................................................................................... 34 5.4 Mountain Biking Activity Areas ......................................................................................................................... 35 5.5 Horse Trail Riding Tourism Operators ............................................................................................................ 36 5.6 Trail Entry Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................................... 37 5.6.2 Bollard and cavaletti trail entry barriers .................................................................................................. 37 5.6.3 Horse hitching/ tie up rail ............................................................................................................................... 37 5.7 Road Crossing Trails and Signs ........................................................................................................................... 38 5.7.2 Minor Trail Crossings – less than 80km/h Speed Limit Roads ......................................................... 39 5.7.3 Minor Trail Crossings – 80 to 100 km/h Speed Limit Roads ............................................................. 39 5.7.4 Trail Crossing on Side Road ............................................................................................................................ 39 5.7.5 On-Road Trail ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 5.7.6 Roadside Trail Signs ........................................................................................................................................... 40 5.8 Trail Signs .................................................................................................................................................................... 40 6 Trail Maps ...................................................................................................................................................................... 41 6.1 Map 1. Existing Maintenance Contract Trails Map = trails highlighted blue ................................. 42 6.2 Map 2. Designated Trail Network ..................................................................................................................... 43 6.3 Map 3. Long Distance Rides – the Peninsula Traverse, Great Sandy Ride, Red Hill Rail Trail and Devilbend equestrian trail ...........................................................................................................................................44 6.4 Map 4. Horse Tour Operator Use of Trails .................................................................................................... 45 7 ACTION PLAN ............................................................................................................................................................... 46 Appendix 1 – Revised Designated Trail Network List Appendix 2 – Indicators of Demand for Equestrian and Roadside Trails Appendix 3 –Red Hill Rail Trail Extension Appendix 4 – Trial Users Survey and Issues Arising from Consultation
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Devils Gulch and Mission Ridge Trail
    Mission Ridge National Forest For more information... Wenatchee River Ranger District Recreation Trails 600 Sherbourne Wenatchee River Ranger District Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509) 548-2550 Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest Mission Ridge Headquarters 215 Melody Lane Devils Gulch Wenatchee, WA 98801 Tronsen Ridge (509) 664-9200 www.fs.usda.gov/okawen Tronsen Ridge Chelan County Sheriff 410 Washington St. Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 667-6851 EMERGENCY — CALL 911 Devils Gulch United States Forest Service Okanogan – Department Pacific Northwest Wenatchee of Agriculture Region National Forest Funding for this brochure provided by NW Forest Pass funds and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family TREAD LIGHTLY status. To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LAND Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Red Hill Trail Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Welcome to the Okanogan–Wenatchee Trail Etiquette Motorcycle Requirements National Forest and some of the best w Operate motorcycles and bicycles at a safe trail riding in the country STREET LEGAL MOTORCYCLES speed, maintaining a stopping distance of are allowed on all Forest roads and designated 1/3 your sight distance at all times. Forest trails that are open to motorized use. This is a multiple use trail system, w Stay on the trails.
    [Show full text]
  • Horse Riding Schools, Trail Riding Establishments and Horse Riding Establishments
    Horse riding schools, trail riding establishments and horse riding establishments Code of Practice 2002 This Queensland code of practice was preserved as a code of practice under section 284 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This code was varied by the Minister for Education and Industrial Relations on 27 November 2011 and published in the Queensland Government Gazette on 2 December 2011. This preserved code commenced on 1 January 2012. This code was varied by the Minister for Education and Industrial Relations on 1 July 2018. PN11178 © The State of Queensland 2018 Copyright protects this document. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced, but asserts its right to be recognised as author of the original material and the right to have the material unaltered. The material presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government as an information source only. The State of Queensland makes no statements, representations, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and the reader should not rely on it. The Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including, without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason. Horse riding schools, trail riding and horse riding establishments – Code of Practice 2002(PN11178) Page ii of 38 Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 What is the aim of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011? .............................................................. 5 1.3 Duties of persons conducting a business or undertaking .................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Agricultural Info Sheet the Equine Industry in Chester County Chester County Is Home to a Vibrant, Diverse Equine Community
    Agricultural Info Sheet The Equine Industry in Chester County Chester County is home to a vibrant, diverse equine community. Our relationship with horses is ingrained in our history and heritage and continues through time-honored traditions, as well as companionship and leisure. The term “equine” includes animals other than horses and ponies, such as mules, burros and donkeys but for the purpose of this info sheet, we are primarily talking about horses and ponies. Equine activities in Chester County What kinds of equine activities are there in the county? People of all ages engage with equine through a wide range of activities. While there are opportunities specific to youth such as pony clubs and 4-H clubs, there is something for everyone, including but not limited to: n carriage n historic reenactment n steeplechase n competitive driving n hunter/jumper n therapeutic offerings n dressage n polo n Thoroughbred racing n eventing n rodeo n trail riding n fox hunting n sidesaddle showing n western n harness racing n Standardbred racing Most riders are involved in several of these pursuits. The full survey covering 10 counties in Southeast Pennsylvania can be accessed at www.sepaequine.org Chester County Agricultural Development Council • www.chesco.org/agdev I don’t ride horses, how can I get involved? Non-riders can still participate in the industry as spectators at a variety of equine events. There are multiple events in each discipline, but some of the bigger public events include: These occur at different times throughout the year, so be on the look-out for them.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidelines for a Quality Trail Experience
    Guidelines for a Quality Trail Experience mountain bike trail guidelines January 2017 About BLM The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) may best be described as a small agency with a big mission: to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. It administers more public land – over 245 million surface acres – than any other federal agency in the United States. Most of this land is located in the 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also manages 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission, set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, mandates that we manage public land resources for a variety of uses, such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting, while protecting a wide array of natural, cultural, and historical resources, many of which are found in the BLM’s 27 million-acre National Landscape Conservation System. The conservation system includes 221 wilderness areas totaling 8.7 million acres, as well as 16 national monuments comprising 4.8 million acres. IMBA IMBA was founded in 1988 by a group of California mountain bike clubs concerned about the closure of trails to cyclists. These clubs believed that mountain biker education programs and innovative trail management solutions UJQWNF DG FGXGNQRGF CPF RTQOQVGF 9JKNG VJKU ƒTUV YCXG QH VJTGCVGPGF VTCKN access was concentrated in California, IMBA’s pioneers saw that crowded trails and trail user conflict were fast becoming worldwide recreation issues. This is why they chose “International Mountain Bicycling Association” as the organization’s name.
    [Show full text]
  • The Indiana State Trails · Greenways & Bikeways Plan
    THE INDIANA STATE TRAILS · GREENWAYS & BIKEWAYS PLAN STATE OF INDIANA Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Governor State House, Second Floor Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Dear Trail Enthusiasts: With great excitement, I welcome you to travel the path down our state’s latest comprehensive trails plan. Not since our state park system was created has the state undertaken an outdoor initiative of this potential scope. This initiative will soon begin uniting our state’s disconnected routes and place every Hoosier within 15 minutes of a trail. The whole will be much greater than the sum of its parts and will benefit Hoosiers from all walks of life. We doubled state funding from $10 million to $20 million annually to take advan- tage of this unique network of opportunities, and at first glance this is a recreation initiative, but we intend it to be much more. Our trails plan will encourage healthy habits in Hoosiers, boost tourism and enhance Indiana’s ability to attract new investment and jobs. Our trail investments can deliver. As Hoosiers enjoy our new trails, they will be hiking, walking, and rid- ing over miles of new high-speed telecommunications and utility conduits. Access to outdoor recreation also ranks among the features potential companies seek for their employees when locating a business. Real success will require the help of local communities, businesses, and private philanthropies. Let’s join together as we create something that will be the envy of the nation! Sincerely, Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. HOOSIERS ON THE MOVE THE
    [Show full text]
  • Trail Distance —Lauren Wood, ” Youth Saddle Log Member & Photo by Kristen Reiter
    I like the Saddle Log Program Appaloosa “ because I get rewarded just for riding my horse. Trail Distance —Lauren Wood, ” Youth Saddle Log Member & Photo by Kristen Reiter I have nothing but good things to “ say about the support from the Photo by Kristen Reiter ApHC for the distance programs. I am very happy with the promotion of Appaloosas in endurance riding. The ApHC recognizes and rewards horses and their riders for the mileage they put in rather than winning— Photo by Kristen Reiter and the awards are lovely. Photo by Kevin Pullen —Lisa Delp, owner of Fourmile’s Kuna, ” AppAloosA...THE BREED oF CHoICE enrolled in the Distance Program and the For more information contact Contribute to the scenery 2008 High-mileage Endurance Horse of the Year. the ApHC Trail & Distance Department: 2720 W. Pullman Road • Moscow, Idaho 83843 “ —ride an Appaloosa. (208) 882-5578 ext. 221 • (208) 882-8150 Fax [email protected] ” www.appaloosa.com On this ride, if you show up you “ are going to have fun. —Barb Croy, ” Chief Joseph Trail Ride Participant Photo by Kristen Reiter Photo by Kristen Reiter Photo by Kristen Reiter Appaloosa Trail & Distance Program Distance Program ApHC Trail Rides ApHC distance programs are available for those who enjoy From endurance to trail riding, the ApHC Distance For more than 40 years the ApHC has provided trail rides spending time with their Appaloosa. These programs are designed Program has something for everyone. that have taken participants into some of the most histori- cal and beautiful areas of America. to reward all levels of participation and interest.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Riley Trail Riding Brochure
    TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE TRAIL RIDING Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail. The Fort Riley Military Reservation (or Fort Riley Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts portions of it), may be closed at any time, and Outdoor Recreation even if they are wider than your without prior notice, due to military activi- Regulations 210-15: vehicle. ties, security restrictions, or impassable Requires that all vehicles used by recreationists Cross streams only at designated roads. The military mission and security will be restricted to improved roads and points, where the trail crosses the have precedence over all recreational pur- established trails marked on the Fort Riley stream. suits. Outdoor Recreation Map. When possible, avoid mud. In soft terrain, go easy on the acceleration to All drivers of motor vehicles, while used Off-road travel by an unauthorized vehicle is avoid wheel spin, which can cause for approved outdoor recreational activities prohibited. All terrain vehicles (ATV’s) are rutting. on Fort Riley, shall have prominently dis- only authorized for recreational purposes in Don’t turn around on narrow trails, played in the front windshield a current designated areas on Fort Riley. Vehicles shall steep terrain or unstable ground. Back FORT RILEY Fort Riley iSportsman permit. The Fort be parked so as not to disrupt military training up until you find a safe place to turn Riley iSportsman Permit is available elec- or impede the passage of vehicles on any road around. tronically on the Fort Riley iSportsman or trail. For your safety, travel straight up or TRAIL website.
    [Show full text]
  • VIRGINIA TRAIL RIDERS Looking Back and Moving Forward
    Shelly Thompson (L) and Anne Riley begin the 30-mile ride on the trail at The Homestead. (Photo courtesy of Cristie & Co.) VIRGINIA TRAIL RIDERS Looking back and moving forward By Elizabeth H. Sutton Equestrian sports have been a part of Virginia’s history and lifestyle since the 1600s when Englishmen first landed in Jamestown. George Washington brought the sport of mounted foxhunting to northern Virginia. In earlier times, people traveled miles on horseback to fight wars and to move households across the country. Today, long-distance riding lives on as a sport despite changing times and the fast pace of life. There is a group of hardy equestri- ans who hold annual competitions to promote the enjoyment of the sport of trail riding — the Virginia Trail Riders (VTR). 22 VAS Summer 2016 “ orses provided the first transportation that brought H people to the resort when it was founded in 1766,” notes Lynn Swann of The Omni Homestead Resort Hotel in Hot Springs, Virginia. “We are pleased to have the Virginia Trail Riders as part of our past and our present.” The Virginia Trail Riders, Inc. is a private organization of equestrians that hosts two long-distance trail rides each fall and spring at The Homestead. The A 50-mile rider trots along Hobby Horse Farm near the Cascades Inn. (Photo courtesy of VTR) popular 30-mile competitive and pleasure ride is in early October on Columbus Day A map showing the second day of the 100-mile route for the inaugural April 15-17, 1958, ride (Courtesy of VTR) weekend and the more rigorous 100- and 50-mile competition is in April.
    [Show full text]
  • 02-Evergreen Mt Bike Alliance Trail Proposal
    Assessment of Freeride Mountain Biking Opportunity at Moran State Park By Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Ver 1.0 4/5/11 Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Tax ID: 91-1553023. 418 NE 72nd Street, Seattle, WA 98115 Introduction to Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance: Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is Washington State’s largest mountain bike organization. Created in 1989 as a grassroots response to local trail networks closing to riders, Evergreen (formerly BBTC) is now a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose proactive mission is to create and protect sustainable mountain biking opportunities in Washington. We focus on education, advocacy, maintenance and recreation and believe in building common ground with other user groups and fostering a culture of volunteerism. Evergreen has built two large, public, mountain biking parks incorporating both trail riding and freeriding: I-5 Colonnade Park and Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. With a paid staff of five employees providing professional leadership Evergreen now directs volunteer trail building and maintenance work totaling almost 10,000 hours annually on public lands across the state. Learn more at www.evergreenMTB.org Introduction to Freeriding: Freeride mountain biking refers to a riding style incorporating both man-made and natural trail features such as steep rock faces, drops, jumps, and sometimes wooden structures. Freeriding is a fast growing element of the sport of mountain biking and although far smaller in number of participants than the more familiar cross-country or trail riding it is also a user group which has extremely limited access to authorized trails.
    [Show full text]
  • Let the People Ride Singletrack: Understanding Mountain Bike Trail Usage
    Let the people ride singletrack: Understanding mountain bike trail usage University of Bath: Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering MEng Civil and Architectural Engineering with year long work placement AR30315 Dissertation 3rd May 2020 Student: Octavia Lewis Academic Supervisor: Chris Blenkinsopp Abstract Mountain biking is a global sport with millions of participants. The sport has grown from a high-risk activity, undertaken by a handful of individuals in extreme environments, to one that can be enjoyed by many. Technological developments have made mountain biking increasingly accessible, in particular the advent of e-bikes. The most fundamental element to mountain biking is the location in which it is carried out. Although terrain can vary significantly, trails are integral to participation. The objective of this study was to understand mountain bike trail usage within the UK through investigation of when trails are used, the demographic of mountain bikers, their motivations for riding, and the impact of refurbishment on trail use. Usage was considered for a popular singletrack trail in Bristol, UK, quantified through analysis of data from rider counters installed in the trail. Demographic, motivations and refurbishment impact were evaluated through an online survey made available to anyone who had ridden the trail in the previous 12 months. The survey was advertised to users by installing a sign on site, distributing leaflets and sharing on online platforms. The format and design of the survey ensures that it is transferrable for future application to allow comparison and for use at trails elsewhere. Results from the analysis of rider counter data have identified temporal variations in trail usage dependent on time of year, day of the week, time of day, school holidays and events.
    [Show full text]
  • OF the HORSE INDUSTRY in New York
    Economic Impact OF THE HORSE INDUSTRY in New York Copyright © 2018 by the American Horse Council Foundation All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this report or portions thereof in any form. U.S. $50 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 TOTAL HORSE POPULATION ESTIMATE 2 ECONOMIC IMPACT MODELING 3 ECONOMIC IMPACT RESULTS THE RACING SECTOR 4 Background 4 Economic Impact 5 THE COMPETITION SECTOR 6 Background 6 Major Sanctioning Bodies 6 Economic Impact 7 THE RECREATION SECTOR 8 Background 8 Economic Impact 9 HORSE INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS 10 LAND PRESERVATION 11 VOLUNTEERISM 11 THERAPY OPERATIONS 12 RESCUES AND SANCTUARIES 12 EQUINE ASSOCIATIONS 12 EQUINE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS 12 THE METHODOLOGY 14 Household Surveys 16 Institutional Surveys and Data Collection 16 OPERATING DATA 19 Racing Industry 19 Equine Associations 19 Public Horse Sales 19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The economic activity involved in caring for New York’s estimated 154,000 horses, along with the spending by horse enthusiasts in their pursuit of horse events and recreation, has a nearly $5.3 billion impact on New York’s economy and supports a total of 42,400 jobs. Total Output to the New York Economy: $5.3 billion. Total Employment Impact: 42,400 Jobs. The direct impact on New York is nearly $3.3 billion in Output and more than 30,000 jobs. Direct Output: $3.3 billion. Direct Employment Impact: 30,218 Jobs. Total Economic Impact Summary ($MMs) Direct Indirect and Induced Total Employment 30,218 12,182 42,400 Labor Income $1,310 $763 $2,073 Value Added $1,846 $1,279 $3,125 Output $3,287 $1,989 $5,276 The Horse industry also plays a significant role in preserving agricultural land.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountain Biking: Issues and Actions for USDA Forest Service Managers
    United States Department of Mountain Biking: Issues and Actions Agriculture for USDA Forest Service Managers Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Research Paper PSW-RP-226-Web Deborah J. Chavez Publisher: Abstract Pacific Southwest Research Chavez, Deborah J. 1996. Mountain biking: issues and actions for USDA Forest Service Station Albany, California managers. Res. Paper PSW-RP-226-Web. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 33 p. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 245, Berkeley, CA 94701-0245) Telephone: 510-559-6300 Managers of National Forests are faced with many challenges related to the growing use http://www.pswfs.gov of mountain bikes. To determine the issues and management actions associated with this growth, USDA Forest Service managers from across the United States were surveyed. July 1996 Managers from at least two National Forests from every Region (except Alaska) reported annual use of trails by 10,000 or more mountain bike riders. On the basis of this use, managers reported concerns and impacts related to the natural resources (degradation of trails, wilderness), social institutions (safety, education), and social policy (planning, legal claims); and offered management actions for resolving these problems. Retrieval Terms: conflict, management, mountain biking, planning, safety The Author Deborah J. Chavez is a research social scientist with the Station’s Wildland Recreation and the Urban Culture Research Unit, at the Forest Fire Laboratory, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, California 92507-6099. Acknowledgments I thank Lyle Laverty and Steve Deitemeyer, Forest Service Washington Office, for their assistance in getting the survey out to the Forest Service managers.
    [Show full text]