MHS Mountain Bike Team proposes formation of new Manchester trails

by Sara Swanson

Manchester High School has a new high school mountain bike team! The Rolling Dutch team is open to 6th through 12th graders this year and is coached by Christian Burrell, who has more than 10 years of experience coaching high school mountain bike teams in three different states (Utah, California, and Idaho). The team operates under the umbrella of the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association and is sponsored by Manchester’s own Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe.

Last Monday at the City Council meeting, Coach Burrell and supporters presented a proposal to expand and create new trails here in Manchester that would both be maintained by community volunteers and accessible to all community users, not just for the mountain biking team. The trails would also benefit walkers/hikers and the school cross country team, as well as hikers and bikers in the wider community.

The proposed trails incorporate and expand on existing trail structures in Carr Park and Chi-Bro Park. The trail designers worked with the mandates of avoiding interfering with the existing disc golf course and avoiding getting too close to private property, although two easements are necessary for the upper Chi-Bro Park trail zone and the property owners have tentatively approved the plans. There is a possibility for expanding farther west from Carr Park if easements from property owners could be acquired. Organizers report that the City Parks Commission has reviewed the trail plan and walked the proposed trails and have approved the plan prior to Monday’s presentation to City Council. City Council approved the trail as it goes through Chi-Bro. Other parts of the trail, like the parts on school property and private property, will have to be approved separately in the future.

Next steps in the construction of new trails include holding a trash clean-up day, finalizing necessary easements, and flagging the route. From there, the trail corridor would need to be cleared, the route would need to be tested, and rerouting would need to occur if there are problems. Then signage would be erected and drainage and sustainability measures and re-vegetation would need to be addressed. Finally, setting up and advertising an opening day plan and organizing on-going trail maintenance will be planned.

Are you part of a group interested in this project? Burrell is happy to come and discuss the project and answer any questions with any interested group. You can email him at criscobike@gmail.com. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the trails at any stage, contact the Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe.

Chi-Bro Park trails, phase one. From proposal to City Council.

Chi-Bro Park trails, middle zone. From presentation to City Council.

Chi-Bro Park trails shown near top, including proposed upper zone, and Carr Park trails shown in bottom left. From proposal to City Council.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.