County Park Board looks to Mill Pond for bike trails

President of the Marshall County Park Board Greg Hildebrand and Park

Board Secretary Deb Vandemark came before the County Commissioners to seek permission to establish mountain

bike trails on the Mill Pond property.

“There’s a local group of cyclists that would like to take that project on for us,” Hildebrand said.

Hildebrand went on to say that the Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association (NIMBA) has taken on projects similar to what the Park Board would like to accomplish. NIMBA is a not for profit that maintains existing trails and assists local parks departments in developing new trails. One such trail is located in Potato Creek State Park.

“They (NIMBA) have some reservations about coming in, establishing mountain bike trails without a memorandum of understating from the commissioners,” Hildebrand said.

Park Board Vice President Adam Thada informed the commissioners that there was a meeting at Mill Pond where interested parties met to discuss the project. Thada stated that an issue that has been brought up in prior Park Board meetings is that the Parks and Recreation Department does not own any property nor does the county have property that’s designated as a county park.

“So as we try to move forward and build the five-year plan, apply for grants one of the issues is that if the granting agency wants to give it to a board, but the property belongs to another entity. So, there should be some, I’m guessing they’re going to ask for some sort of MOU and clarity as to roles and responsibilities,” Thada said adding that the volunteer group would need some certainty as to which agency would be the right agency to partner with.

Thada then stated doubt as to whether NIMBA would, at this time, partner with the county. “In those conversations, I don’t know if they will, they’re able to at this moment, take on this additional project. But there’s a couple local Marshall County residents that would be willing to essentially do a similar project.”

Commissioner Mike Burroughs asked County Attorney James Clevenger what’s the county’s standpoint as far as liability. Clevenger listed two issues.

“First, I guess the Park Board wants to know if they’re able to be in a position to reach an agreement with NIMBA or another outfit for the use of your property at Mill Pond,” Clevenger said. If the commissioners did allow NIMBA or another organization to use the property, Clevenger advised that language be put into the MOU stating that the county wasn’t liable for accidents that might occur while using the trail. Clevenger also advised that whoever maintains the trails also obtain and keep liability insurance.

Thada reiterated that NIMBA most likely won’t be involved in the project and that some individuals from the county might want to organize the project.

Vandemark asked the commissioners if this was a project that the Park Board should pursue.

“I would,” Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said. “We were awarded Stellar and this is part of our quality of life plan that is outdoor activity for our residents in the county.”

The commissioners were in favor of Clevenger creating a memorandum of understanding.