Murrysville may restrict biking in park

Murrysville council is considering restricting biking to certain trails in Duff Park to maintain the park’s state designation as a Wild Plant Sanctuary.

Increased use of trails in the park is causing problems for hikers as well as accelerating erosion on the trails, Pia van de Venne, volunteer coordinator of parks, told council last week.

The park has been designated a Wild Plant Sanctuary by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the department has written a letter stating continued use of the park by bikers may jeopardize that, she said.

“The park features some very rare plants such as the blue-eyed Mary and wake robin,” Ms. van de Venne said. “Originally, council designated this park as one for passive activities,” she said, but bikers are starting to view the park as having the primary purpose of biking. “… I talked to some of the bikers and had one tell me that the hikers are kind of a problem.”

Ms. van de Venne suggested council consider signs restricting biking to the lower trails in the park.

“I support the idea, but it will be a difficult policy to police,” municipal manager Jim Morrison said. “We can post signs, but I cannot dedicate an officer to patrol the park.”

Mr. Morrison suggested posting signs that identify the trails in the park on which biking is permitted. He also said the borough would contact websites that have been advertising Duff Park as a good place to ride. Council is expected to discuss the matter further at its meeting on Wednesday.