For Immediate Release: June 4, 2018
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Community Based Trail Networks Will Attract
New Recreational User Group to Adirondack Park Hamlets And
Establish the Adirondack Park as a World Class Mountain Bike Destination
RAY BROOK, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently approved Management Guidance: Siting, Construction and Maintenance of Singletrack Bicycle Trails on Forest Preserve Lands in the Adirondack Park. The guidance will assist land managers plan bicycle trail networks on Forest Preserve lands classified as Wild Forest.
"Community based bike trail networks will link Adirondack Hamlets to the Forest Preserve in a manner that protects natural resources and retains the wild forest character of the Park," said APA Chairman Sherman Craig. "The implementation of this guidance through unit management plans such as the Wilmington, Moose River Plains, Saranac Lake and Vanderwhacker Wild Forests will establish new bike specific recreational destinations and elevate the Adirondack Park to a coveted place for bike vacationers. This will broaden and diversify economic impacts to Park communities wholly in a manner consistent with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan."
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "The Adirondack Park offers tremendous opportunities for biking, and this important guidance capitalizes on its growing popularity by providing clear direction to develop trails while protecting the parks critical natural resources. I commend the DEC and APA staff for developing this thorough and detailed guidance and look forward to working with our partners to establish the Adirondacks as a world class mountain bike destination."
The bike trail guidance will assist land managers in developing high quality biking experiences that incorporate different trail styles appealing to a broad range of bikers. This includes stacked loop networks, long distance routes and winter riding. Factors such as ecological characteristics, strong presence of local support, proximity to communities and trail density will play a role in determining the style and layout of trail networks. A detailed trail rating system was also devised to ensure the general public will be fully informed of the challenge level required to ride different trails and networks. The rating system incorporates characteristics such as tread width, trail grade and obstacles.
Specific trail construction and maintenance elements such as alignment, grading, drainage, insloped corners, bridges and side slope management are addressed in detail. Trails will follow the natural contours of the terrain as much as possible and will be laid out to minimize necessary tree cutting, rock removal and terrain alteration. Grading may be undertaken to facilitate natural drainage without the use of water bars. Grade reversals, dip drains, and trail alignments that facilitate drainage and tread stability are encouraged. Stone or log staircases, log ladders, or other trail structures suitable solely for hiking are inappropriate for bicycle trails.
Bicycle trails may include parallel feature trails (PFTs) that provide a technical element. These trails and associated technical features offer mountain bikers the opportunity to ride challenging natural terrain features. PFTs will be carefully sited to limit resource impacts. Flat or out-sloped corners can be prone to ruts, widening, and tread creep from riders travelling to the outside of the corner and skidding to control speed and change direction. Modest in-sloping (berming) will be allowed in certain corners highly prone skidding. This keeps riders within the trail corridor, reduces skidding, and generally creates a more enjoyable and safer riding experience.
Bicycle trails in the Adirondack Forest Preserve will continue to be built and maintained primarily with hand tools. However, the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan allows for minimal use of motor vehicles (i.e landscaping equipment such as mini-excavators and material haulers) to construct and maintain bicycle trails in Wild Forest and Intensive Use areas. Guidance is provided regarding what is considered to be minimal use of motor vehicles on bicycle trail projects.
Destination mountain bike locations have revitalized struggling rural areas of the northeast over the last decade. Communities that build trail systems for bikers have realized substantial economic gains. Presently, the Northeast Kingdom in East Burke, Vermont annually attracts 90,000 riders with a combined economic spending impact to the region of 12-15 million dollars.
The Adirondack Park is well positioned to become a destination location. Many Adirondack communities have tourism accommodations that offer direct access to the Forest Preserve. The approval of this guidance will enhance a land managers ability to further develop bike trail networks that are consistent with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and appeal to a wide range of mountain bikers.
Bike trail networks in close proximity to hamlets and campgrounds that integrate seamlessly with publically accessible trails on state, municipal and privately owned lands are encouraged. Due consideration is given to how bike trails will integrate with other types of trails in a way that protects the experience of all trail users. This will result in an increase of a recreational user group which historically has not identified the Adirondack Park as a destination. The guidance strives to enhance public health and incorporate the economic benefits of singletrack bike trails while simultaneously protecting the wild character of New York State's Forest Preserve lands.
The following Unit Management Plans have approved mountain bike trail networks:
Wilmington Wild Forest - http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/88875.html
Moose River Plains Wild Forest - http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/53596.html
To read the full guidance click https://www.apa.ny.gov/State_Land/assets/MTB_Guidance_20180313.pdf
The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law.
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