MONROE COUNTY PEOPLE FOR PARKS, INC. September 25, 2008 Mr. Larry Staub Monroe County Parks Director 39 West Main Street Rochester, New York RE: Mountain Bike Use of Ellison Park Dear Mr. Staub: People for Parks issued a position on off-road mountain biking in Monroe County Parks by letter dated February 13, 1997. A copy is attached for your reference. Nothing has changed in the intervening years about mountain bikes or the environmental condition of the wooded slopes that are perennially in demand by mountain bikers. The only new element to this issue appears to be the political will to continue to do the right thing for these environmentally sensitive areas of the parks. Based upon the above, and specific to the Ellison Park Master Plan, it is our position that the only possible location to consider for upgrading, in order to make it useable by mountain bikers as well as other park users, is Tryon Park. The old paved roads that have been closed to vehicular traffic for more than thirty years will provide the proper sloping multi-use trails without compromising the existing environmental condition, and will be wide enough to accommodate more than one user group. Furthermore, any capital improvements to this area will provide the general public with a potentially picturesque open space that has been rendered valueless to the community by lack of active maintenance and the resulting incursion of undesirable user activity. Here, mountain bikers will be an asset, rather than a liability. Please review the 1997 letter, and hopefully you will agree that the wooded and sloping areas of Bay Parks East and West, the Wetlands, and Ellison Park proper, which are all comprised of glacial till, are precisely applicable to the concerns outlined therein. These areas contain many impressive old growth trees that will be directly placed in jeopardy by a switchback trail system winding down a sandy slope, incrementally grinding away the top vegetation and contributing to the eventual landslide of soil out from under their root systems, causing them to topple. We are all familiar with how a few inches cut horizontally into such a hillside can become a vertical desert due to erosion. We have every confidence that the county and Environmental Design and Research recognizes the dangers of a switchback trail system in these areas, and recognizes that the level of mitigation necessary to the prevention of such dangers is far too costly for the county to undertake. This as well as the county’s inability to control the hazards associated with multiuse by pedestrians and bikers of narrow, sloping, dirt based trails should completely rule out use of these areas by mountain bikes. At Dryer Road Park in Ontario County, trail users must sign waivers of liability to hold the county harmless. This is not realistic, enforceable or any safeguard. It is merely an indication for Monroe County that there is concern for safety and liability. With regard to the recommendation to focus on the childhood obesity issue, we feel that hiking on foot on sloping hills is both an aerobic experience and an educational one, where the child will be able to positively engage with the natural environment around them while walking. This very stimulating activity does not require expensive equipment, and can be used by all economic levels of the community. We present these concerns to the administration based on our mutual love and respect for the lands in the Monroe County park system, and for the safety of all people in the parks. Sincerely, Cassandra Petsos, Acting President On behalf of the Board of Directors of Monroe County People for Parks, Inc. C: Maggie Brooks Tom Robinson, EDR
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