Public Meeting Regarding Carrabassett Valley Mountain Bike Trail

Public Meeting Regarding Carrabassett Valley Mountain Bike Trail Development 4:30 p.m. December 30th, 2015 at the Carrabassett Valley Library
The Town of Carrabassett Valley in collaboration with the Carrabassett Region Mountain Bike Club (CRNEMBA), Maine Huts & Trails and Sugarloaf Mt. Corp. will be holding a public meeting at the above time and place to present information and seek public comments concerning future mountain bike trail development in our region. Interested trail users, property owners and citizens are encouraged to attend. Related information from the trail development partners (listed above) will be presented and the audience will be asked to participate in a “Mind Map Exercise” to provide the Mountain Bike Trail Development Committee input to help shape future trail development. Following this public meeting an online “Survey Monkey” will also be available for additional public comments. A copy of the agenda and related information for this public meeting will be made available on the Town of Carrabassett Valley website (www.carrabassettvalley.org) prior to this meeting. The “Survey Monkey” will also be available on this website following this December 30th meeting. Public Meeting Regarding Carrabassett Valley Mountain Bike Trail Development 4:30 p.m. December 30th, 2015 at the Carrabassett Valley Library
Trail Committee: Peter Smith (CRNEMBA), Charlie Woodworth (MH&T), Dave Cota (Town of C V), Deb Bowker (Rec. Dir. Town of CV), Tom Butler (Sugarloaf Representative), Josh Tauses (Town Trail Supervisor; also CRNEMBA Trail Master).
Welcome/Moderator: Dave Cota, Carrabassett Valley Town Manager
The focus of our area mountain bike trail development program in the past five years has been to create a significant and sustainable trail network consisting of both mountain bike specific and multi‐use backcountry trails for all ages and abilities in the immediate area of the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center and Maine Huts and Trail’s (MH&T) Poplar Stream and Stratton Brook Huts. Much has been accomplished through an extensive collaboration between the Carrabassett Region Mountain Bike Club (CRNEMBA), the Town of Carrabassett Valley and MH&T, other contributors (Sugarloaf Mt.) and generous land owners. As we move forward with continued trail development we wish to seek input from trail users and Carrabassett Valley residents and property taxpayers. We are hopeful that this public meeting and related survey will help provide that. In addition to hearing from the public at this meeting we encourage interested parties to complete a “Survey Monkey” that will be accessible on the Town’s Website (www.carrabassettvalley.org) following this meeting.
Presentations: (35 minutes)
o History of Trail Development (including collaborative effort, 5‐ yr. financial investments, accomplishments to date): Dave Cota
o Current Mt. Bike Trail Inventory (mileage, classifications): Peter Smith
o CRNEMBA History and Trail Development Involvement: Peter Smith
o MH&T History and Trail Development Involvement: Charlie Woodworth
o Sugarloaf Mt. Bike Trail Involvement: Tom Butler
o Outline of Projected and Proposed Mt. Bike Trail Development: Dave Cota
• Funding: (estimated $156,592 for 2016)
• List of Committed Projects for 2016: ($100,000)
 Newton’ Revenge/Campbell Field (Estimated $50,000)
 Finish ‘Toad’, ‘Buckshot’ and ‘Hurricane’ Trails ($50,000)
Audience Participation in “Mind Map Exercise”: (45 minutes): Break‐out into groups to discuss and prioritize the following: (Instructions will be provided). o
What do you like about our mountain bike trail system?
o
What existing trail concerns do you have??
o
What is lacking in our trail system??
o
What kinds of trail and trail improvements do you consider to be of higher priority??
o
Other Suggestions??
Question and Answer Session:
CARRABASSETT REGION
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2010 to 2015
Collaboration between the Town, CRNEMBA, Maine Huts & Trails and Other Partners including Sugarloaf and Generous Landowners
Vision: Create a Significant and Sustainable Mt. Bike Trail System To:

Increase Recreational Opportunities and Economic Development through Mountain Bike Trail Development
o Generate New Visitation to the Area in the Off‐season.
o Encourage more of our Second Home Owners to come up in the off‐season.
o Create another reason for people to purchase second homes here.
o Increase in area meals and lodging, retail and real estate sales.
Focus: Create a Trail System Consisting of Mountain Bike Specific and Back Country Trails for all Ages and Abilities
•
The primary focus over the past five years has been to create a critical mass of trails between the Outdoor Center, and MH&T’s Poplar Stream and Stratton Brook Huts.
Implementation:
o
o
o
o
Hired Hardy Avery/Sustainable Trails in 2010 and Continued the Relationship.
Approximately 80 miles of Trails are mapped, 32 of which, have been built or rebuilt in the past five‐
years.
Hired a Passionate and Energetic Trail Crew. Expended over $500,000 in the past five years between the partners in Creating the Trail System.
Increased Summer Activity=Economic Development
Carrabassett Region Mountain Bike Program
5 Year Totals
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 5-Year Totals
FUNDING:
Town Funding
$20,109 $24,918 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
Town Rec. End. Fund
$5,661 $41,637 $45,000 $100,000
State Grant Funding (thru Town)
$39,339
$35,000
Club Funding (inc. Club Grants)
$9,313
$8,016 $20,000 $20,689
Maine Huts and Trails
$22,500
Sugarloaf
$2,500
Totals:
$20,109 $39,892 $113,991 $115,000 $185,000
NOTE: Balance Forward in Accounts for
2016>
$120,027 $25,000
$192,298 $15,000
$74,339
$0
$58,018 $59,300*
$22,500
$2,500
$473,992 $99,300
$57,292
Potential Funding Available in 2016:
TRAIL EXPENDITURES:
Totals (expended from Town
Accounts)
Additional MH&T expenditures
Total Mt. Bike Trail Expenditures:
2016??
$156,592
$20,109 $40,730
$99,586 $104,933
149,660
$415,018
$72,238
$487,256
CRNEMBA
If you have a bike, you are one of us
MH&T
Poplar Stream Falls
Campbell Field
Pod Two
Outdoor Center Pod One
Trail Summary
Total Mountain Bike Trail Network
Total
Total Rebuilt or New
Green
15.35 mi
8.3 mi
Blue
53.85mi
21.35 mi
Black
11.15 mi
2.05 mi
Total
80.35 mi
31.7 mi
Green
4.95 mi
Blue
21.95 mi
4.95 mi
4.95 mi
21.95 mi
6.45 mi
Black
8.1 mi
0.75 mi
8.85 mi
1.75 mi
Total
35.0 mi
0.75 mi
35.75 mi
13.15 mi
Green
9.9 mi
0.5 mi
10.4 mi
3.35 mi
Blue
23.4 mi
1.0 mi
24.4 mi
9.9 mi
Black
0.55 mi
Total
33.85 mi
1.5 mi
35.35 mi
13.55 mi
Green
Blue
7.5 mi
7.5 mi
5.0 mi
Black
1.75 mi
1.75 mi
Pod One: Sugarloaf Outdoor Center
Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Service
Sugarloaf Outdoor Center Proposed 2016
Total
Rebuilt or New Trail
Pod Two: Campbell Field Trail Head
Campbell Field in Service
Campbell Field Proposed 2016
Total
Rebuilt or New Trail
0.55 mi
0.3 mi
MH & T Poplar Stream Falls
In Service
Total
Rebuilt or New Trail
Total
9.25 mi
9.25 mi
5.0 mi
Tread Within a Tread Jabba the Hut Under Construction
Completed Trail section
Rider Enjoying the Trail!
Mechanized Trail Construction
Riding On Oak Knoll
History Highlights/Timeline:








In 2009, study by Peter Webber, Jr. of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) identified the formation of a mountain bike club as a key ingredient for creating a mountain bike trail network and attracting mountain bike cyclists to the Carrabassett Region.
In July 2010, the local chapter, CRNEMBA is formed.
In May 2011 a trail building school sponsored by NEMBA and IMBA is held at the Outdoor Center.
In 2012, the first NEMBA Trailfest is held in the Carrabassett Region hosted by CRNEMBA and Maine Huts & Trails. These have been repeated annually in 2013, 2014, and 2015, attracting volunteers from throughout Maine and New England.
Since 2012, CRNEMBA, Maine Huts & Trails, and the Town of Carrabassett Valley have cooperated and worked together to share resources and build new high quality mountain bike trails and upgrade many existing trails to much higher riding quality.
Received Maine Bike Coalition Muddy Wheel Award (2013) and Yankee Magazine Best Mountain bike trail system (2014) .
2014‐2015 Events: Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge, Kingfield POPS Introductory Ride, Baxter Duathlon; Kona Adventure Series Ride, plus membership rides.
Over 5000 hours of volunteer work devoted exclusively to trail construction.
Members
160
140
120
100
80
Members
60
40
20
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Category
Membership
Donations
Corp./org.
Grants
Individuals
TOTAL
Event Rev
Other
TOTAL REV
2010
$1,332
2011
$933
2012
$1,108
2013
$1,173
2014
$1,283
2015 Est.
$983
$1,125
$5,000
$51,000
$5,000
$5,000
$40
$5,040
$160
$1,284
$735
$5,735
$6,500
$500
$2,215
$9,215
$500
$6,832
$871
$493
$7,339
$4,806
10,190
$17,389
$4,893
$500
$12,301
$5,000
$7,970
$18,467
$5,124
56,124
$9,970
$5,164
$72,241
Proudly committed to building a strong
and sustainable mountain biking
community with our partners.
Maine Huts & Trails Bike Trails Outside the Carrabassett Region
MH&T
Poplar Stream Falls
Campbell Field
Pod Two
Outdoor Center Pod One
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort Mountain Bike Trail Plan
Planned Trail Work in 2016
Outdoor Center:
Hurricane Trail:
o 2‐4 weeks finishing trail sections completed in 2015: o Complete 3,500’ of new single track loop trail and connector Ski Trail 50 @ $7.50/ft.
‘Toad’ and ‘Buckshsot’ Trails:
Complete to standards
Other: Development and Design of new comprehensive plan for Additional Outdoor Center Trails:
Total: $10,000 to $20,000
26,250
5,000
5,000
$46,250 to $56,250
Campbell Field Pod Area:
Newton’s Revenge Trail:
o Build 6,000’ of Single Track @$7.5/ft.
o Minimal Drainage to Lower Section of Trail
Other: Construct Water Crossing from Narrow Gauge
To Grassy Loop
Total:
$45,000
2,500
5,000
$47,500
Also: Maine Huts and Trails to provide drainage improvements, if needed on the Newton’s Revenge Bike/Ski Trail ($5,000)
Mind Map Objective:
The objective is to gather perspective on the most important needs of the Carrabassett Region Mountain Bike Trail System from as many people as possible in the shortest period of time and learning what ideas are most important.
1. Small Group Discussion (15 min)
1. What do you like most about the current trail system? What would you like to see more of?
2. What do you like the least? What would you like to see added or changed to the existing trail system?
You do NOT need to reach agreement in your small group on what issues you believe are most important.
2. Large Group Report Out (20 min)
3. Voting (5 min)
Each person will have 3 colored dots to use to ‘vote’ on the issues/needs/wants they
believe are most important.