Columbus, Georgia

Flat Rock Mountain Bike Trail Project

Sponsored by





Columbus Cycling Club

www.columbuscyclingclub.org









b What we are proposing and why: Adopting an existing trail at Flat Rock Park

to develop for promoting bicycling fitness and safety, particularly for younger

riders. The topography and facilities in the park lend themselves to creating

top notch beginner and intermediate trail loops.



b Where and who: The basic concept is to redevelop the existing trail to make

it safer, easier to find and use, and more popular. This includes such measures

as better defining the trails with signage indicating intended use, trail

rules, and proper direction, as well as educational programs hosted by our

organization. This project will be sponsored by the Columbus Cycling Club. The

club contains a large number of community-minded cyclists who are interested in

trail development and maintenance, as well as the development of responsible

and informative programs to encourage fitness and safety.



b Benefits:

? Enhance park facilities at no cost

? Reinvigorate the park with a responsible, positive demographic group

? Increase public safety through increased park use (full utilization of land

space with a positive citizen presence)

? Provide a new venue for community youth programs designed to build confidence

and interest in the environment

? Create a new attraction to Columbus area (mountain bikers will travel far to

explore new trails)

? Build the foundation for attaining the League of American Bicyclists'

prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designation

? Offer a possible tie-in to Rails-To-Trails corridor along CSU-to-Warm Springs

line

? Create a new venue for races, bike rodeos, and other events representing

potential income sources

? Quarterly volunteer work days for ?cost free? cleanup, repair, and

enhancements



b What we bring to this: As a club we have experienced phenomenal growth over

the past two years and consequently have funding and members who are eager to

supply resources and talent to ensure the ongoing success of this and other

projects we are currently undertaking.

? Work force - 15 confirmed volunteers

? Guidance from national and regional trail advocacy groups (IMBA and SORBA)

? Funds for new signs and an information and fee collection kiosk (funds to the

park)

? Support of local bicycle shops wishing to partner for events and bicycle

clinics on safety and repair

? Ready to use international curriculum for an off-road bike and values

education series (Sprockids)

? Volunteers to lead meetings, group rides, events

? Trail design featuring safety, basic skills, and a family-oriented mini loop

for younger riders

? New life for park (average attendance at local/regional MTB events is 250-400

participants plus families)

? Enhanced look and cleanliness through quarterly trail work days (trail

cleanup and maintenance)



b Short Term Plan:

? Review proposed trail plans with designated park officials

? Build trail with volunteer workers from the CCC on consecutive weekends in

January and February (estimated work time = 8 weeks)

? Primarily use the existing trail which follows the perimeter areas of the

park to build the enhanced trail system

? Hold official inauguration event for local riders and media



b Long Term Plan:

? Provide ongoing trail maintenance by volunteers from Columbus Cycling Club

? Offer bicycle education for area youth organizations (planned partnership

with schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Scouts)

? Hold regional MTB and Cyclocross races

? Provide an ideal tie in to Rail-to-Trails corridor for easy access from the

downtown area, CSU, and communities surrounding Warm Springs Road (significant

community feature for youth bicyclists, families and commuters)



b Our Agreement and Commitments:

? To provide you with a single point of contact who will be responsible for

the entire project and coordinating with all volunteers

? To review a physical site plan with park officials before any work begins,

and attain authorization for any changes to the original plan that may be

needed to make the best possible use of the terrain

? Design and supply signage for safety and educational messages for proper

trail use

? To build a trail with two loops, one for beginner and intermediate riders,

and a second ?kiddie loop? where parents can observe kids? progress along the

entire course

? To ensure that no trail building occurs outside of the agreed upon plan

? To design and build a safe and fun trail that appeals to general MTB users,

and preserves the natural resources and setting to the maximum degree possible,

in accordance with the International Mountain Bike Association?s published

standards for trail building and the protection of natural resources

? To coordinate trail work day with you on a quarterly basis to perform ongoing

cleanup and maintenance to the trail areas

? To establish a collection box at the trail-head to allow the park to receive

donations or fees (suggest $1.00 per user)



b Next Steps:

? Department of Parks and Recreation to grant official permission no later than

Jan 01, 2005 to proceed with the project, to include a date indicating when we

can actually begin (Critical that work begin in January to ensure trail is

ready for official inauguration and use by early spring 2005)

? Department of Parks and recreation to designate a Point of Contact to review

the trail design and follow up on questions and permission to make alterations,

if needed



b Columbus Cycling Club Contact Information:



Barry Carswell, Club President

706/888-8271 cell

706/660-9730 home



Mike Tidd, Trail Advocate

706/681-8668 cell



Paul Hein, Mountain Bike Coordinator for CCC and Mike?s Bikes Racing Team

706/366-6548 cell









b Attachments:

? GPS Image of existing trail (example of accurate image available to

communicate the trail proposal and ensure understanding of design)

? Sprockids Article: model for bicycle and values education program aimed at

young riders

? Columbus Cycling Club Homepage: online tools made available for

communicating, coordinating and promoting events and rides. Features an

interactive online events calendar that anyone can use, helpful hints, links,

and more

? Article on LAB Bicycle Friendly Community Designation: illustration of the

impact this designation can have on developing a liveable community and for

attracting and keeping talented people in our area

Bicycle Information Trifold: (sample) one of numerous advocacy and education

projects currently underway in the CCC