Stony Creek Metropark asks for help in naming two new mountain biking trails
Stony Creek Metropark is asking for the public’s help to name two new mountain biking trails that are part of the redevelopment of the Shelden Trails system at the park.
In 2018, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks started the multi-year redevelopment with a goal to extend and develop the trail system to create a premiere multi-use natural surface trail system in southeast Michigan. The Metroparks have been working closely with an advisory group of trail users and longtime mountain biking partner organization, Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association (CRAMBA), to provide input on the wants and needs of regular users of the trails.
The outcome has been a collaborative development that has highlighted problem areas of the existing trails so that creative solutions can be found, and a premier trail experience can be developed. The public is being asked to name two of the brand-new trails that are currently being constructed through a multiple choice questionnaire.
The first trail, Loop A, which is 1.92 miles, will be developed with small rollers, slightly in-sloped trail segments on outside turns and low super-elevated turns. The trail tread will be well defined and contain avoidable obstructions that can be easily rolled over without advanced bike handling skills. The resulting trail will provide a “front country” style experience with a relatively smooth trail tread that is wide enough toinspire confidence by beginner trail users and hand cyclists.
The second trail, Loop B, which is 1.74miles, will have tread that will be well-defined by a narrower cleared corridor. The trail will be enhanced for riding and require moderate to advanced bike handling skills. The resulting trail will provide a “back country” type of experience of narrow trail and somewhat rough tread.
Through Oct .25, the Metro parks will host a naming poll on social media channels. Make sure to cast a vote for a favorite name for each new trail. Click on the link and cast your vote, surveymonkey.com/r/C3KTZFS. Winning names will be announced Oct. 26.
The Shelden Trails area is an active construction site, and visitors are asked to stay off new trails during construction. The parks ask visitors to obey signage and wait until the parks announce the trails are open before using them. To learn more about the project, go to towww.metroparks.com/ projects/.