New RIDE 20 Development Map
It has been a banner year for access and development at MTB Atlanta and as we move into the build season, we wanted to share our successes and this map of our plans with you.
We have a new initiative that we have named “Ride 20.” We believe every Metro Atlanta resident should be no more than 20 minutes from a natural surface trail for mountain biking or a bike park or pump track. As an organization, we aim to seek out opportunities for soft surfaced trails and bike park and pump track facilities in communities that are underserved for mountain biking, outdoor recreation and sustainable, well designed, soft surfaced natural trail systems.
Much great work has been done by our cousin Metro Atlanta SORBA Chapters like SORBA Woodstock, RAMBO, GATR, and SORBA West Georgia towards this end. We intend to fill the voids.
Check out the high res map of our current projects on the initiative here: Ride 20 Map
This year we have forged new partnerships and gained new access in the cities of Newnan, Carrollton and College Park, and in Coweta and Carroll counties.
We have had Memorandum of Understandings (the agreements on which access is secured and trail projects are built with permission from land managers) approved by the City Council of Newnan, the City Council of College Park, and the County Commissions of Carroll and Coweta counties.
We currently have active trail build projects at Southside Park in Atlanta, South Rockdale Park in Rockdale County, Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Coweta County, and Sykes Park in East Point.
We are meeting to plan two bike park projects in Newnan and East Point and have supported the new Smyrna Bike Park project at North Cooper Lake Park.
We are in the planning stages at Moore’s Bridge Park and Jones Mill Park in Carroll County, working on flagging phase 3 and 4 at Chattahoochee Bend State Park, and planning pocket park trail development along the Carrollton Greenbelt.
Let us know your feedback, and if you know of any opportunities for trail, bike park, or pump track development in the Metro, contact sorbabrett@gmail.com.
As always, support our work by joining or renewing your membership today at https://www.imba.com/renew/chapter/210548 , donating to our trail fund at http://mtbatlanta.com/double-down-fund/ or volunteering at one of our work parties http://mtbatlanta.com/events/.
Carroll County Commissioners approve MOU with MTB Atlanta
On Tuesday, September 4th, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with MTB Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association to explore opportunities for trail development on Carroll County Park property.
Last Spring, MTB Atlanta Board members Brett Davidson, Chris Doane, and Pete Edmondson met with Carroll County Parks and Recreation Director Ben Skipper and toured two parks, Moores Bridge and Jones Mill. Darold Wendlandt, City of Chattahoochee Hill Parks Director, was also on hand and made the introduction between MTB Atlanta and Mr.Skipper. Darold is a former Carroll County Parks and Public Works employee and saw potential for recreational trails in Carroll County based on the successful partnership between MTB Atlanta and the City of Chattahoochee Hills at Cochran Mill Park.
Carroll County has an incredible Parks system with improved camping at McIntosh Reserve and Little Tallapoosa. There are also some relatively undeveloped parks at Moores Bridge on the Chattahoochee River, at Jones Mill along the Snake Creek Gorge and at Blackjack Mountain, which is the tallest mountain in Georgia below I-20. All of these sites are rich in beauty and have very desirable terrain for mountain biking, hiking and trail running.
This agreement will provide the framework for collaborative work between MTB Atlanta and Carroll County for trail development in Carroll County’s rich park system.
MTB Atlanta receives $25K REI Community Grant for ITP Trails
We are stoked to announce that we have been awarded an REI Community Grant for work on the new 4 mile Intermediate Trail at Southside Park! MTB Atlanta was nominated by REI employees in the Atlanta market to submit a grant proposal for our work on the ATL Gateway Trails, our concept plan to bring more recreational trail opportunities to ITP Atlanta. While the trails at Southside Park will be designed and built for mountain biking, they will be shared use and open to all outdoor recreation enthusiasts. When completed the up to 8 miles of trails at Southside Park will be the first trail system on City of Atlanta park land purpose built for outdoor recreation and a huge benchmark for soft surfaced trails in a major city in the US.
Construction will begin this Fall and we are pumped to get started. Thank you REI for your commitment to recreational trails in the City of Atlanta!
Action Alert !! Help preserve the Big Creek MTB Trails and Support RAMBO !!
Calling all Metro Atlanta Mountain Bikers, Cyclists, Hikers, Trail Runners, Passive Recreation, Forest Canopy, Green Space, Wildlife and Shared Use Trail Advocates!
Join us Monday 8/13, 5pm at Roswell City Hall to hear the impact that a proposed MOU with the City of Roswell and the Krause Family Foundation will have on the existing hiking and biking trails at Big Creek Park. A council vote for the mayor to sign is on the docket. It’s time to have your voice heard.
The current proposal calls for 65 of the 95 acres of park greenspace to be replaced with 135 tennis courts in a privately owned-facility. The impact could cause significant or total loss of hiking and biking trails at Big Creek Park.
MTB Atlanta believes this would be a huge loss for mountain biking and recreational trails in Metro Atlanta.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Come to the City Council meeting, be seen and let your voice be heard respectfully if there is time for public comment.
When: Monday August 13th 5:00 PM
Where: Roswell City Hall 38 Hill St, Roswell, Georgia 30075
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/712989655706126/
2. Support RAMBO – Roswell Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rambomtb/ and website http://www.rambo-mtb.org.
3. If you live in Roswell, contact your City Council member and let them know that you support the preservation of the shared use trails at Big Creek Park.
4. Sign the petition:https://www.change.org/p/lori-henry-save-big-creek-park-from-krause-tennis-center-monstrosity
Info on the proposed development: https://www.ajc.com/business/roswell-tennis-complex-planned-international-destination/1THyMktVJbltUHYiDB5N4K/?utm_source=roswell_fb&utm_medium=social
We will continue to keep the ridership and membership of MTB Atlanta informed on this proposal at Big Creek Park as it develops.
MTB Atlanta
Action Alert !! Public Input Meeting CRNRA Trail Assessment
Action Alert! Metro Atlanta Mountain Bikers and trail users of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, join us on Thursday, April 12, or Saturday, April 14, to learn about the Trail Master Plan that is being developed for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Our trails have been loved to death over the decades and this plan will help serve as a blueprint for maintenance, restoration and connectivity. This is an introduction of the Trails Assessment for public input. This assessment was produced by Applied Trails Research for every trail in every unit of the Park. The project was funded by the Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy, the Friends Group of the Park. We wish to thank the Friends, one non profit to another, for funding this vital project. If you love the CRNRA, you should join the Friends group here: https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/join-us.
As always to support access, advocacy, new trail construction and trail maintenance, join MTB Atlanta at our join tab above.
Join the public presentations at these locations:
April 12 (7-9pm): CREEC, 8515 Barnwell Rd. Johns Creek, GA
April 14 (10-12:30): REI Atlanta. Email atr2017survey@gmail.com to RSVP.
First Work Party at new South Rock Trail Project
SORBA Atlanta is pleased to announce that after over 5 years of advocacy work, we are beginning work on our new trail project in Rockdale County, the South Rock Trails at South Rockdale Community Park. This year Rockdale County Parks and Recreation was awarded a Recreational Trails Program Grant to build Phase One of the project, up to six miles of Beginner and Intermediate trails with two dedicated downhill trails. SORBA Atlanta and Rockdale County worked together to fund a development plan for Mountain Bike trails at the Park and wrote the RTP grant submission together. Rockdale County provided the seed money to fund the matching grant through SPLOST funds.
We will kick off our work at the Park by hosting a Volunteer Work Party on Saturday December 30th at 9 AM. We will be clearing the corridor for a new Beginner Trail, a portion of Phase One of the project. Meet at the main parking lot at 3909 East Fairview Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281 at 9. Wear weather appropriate clothes, long pants, closed toed shoes sturdy enough for hiking, bring gloves, water, and snacks. We will be cutting back brush and removing deadfall to get the corridor ready for construction. Info for the event here: http://mtbatlanta.com/event/south-rockdale-work-party-first-ever/
SORBA Atlanta Vice President Keith Worsham has owned this project from it’s inception and has advocated for the park and the trail proposal tirelessly. The SORBA Atlanta Board thanks Keith for his efforts to bring this opportunity for quality Mountain Biking to the Rockdale and Henry County area and to our Metro Atlanta members and ridership. We will see you there!
Friends of Chattahoochee Bend and SORBA Atlanta partner to develop 20 miles of destination Mountain Biking at Chattahoochee Bend State Park
The Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park and SORBA Atlanta have partnered with IMBA Trail Solutions to develop 20 miles of destination mountain bike trails at Chatttahoochee Bend State Park. IMBA Trail Solutions will develop a plan for a progressive trail system and a Southeastern Mountain Bike Destination. Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers an incredible opportunity for multi day camping and riding, and has many other amenities in place at the Park with incredible hiking trails, paddling and soon to be added equestrian trails. The Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park have used funds to hire IMBA Trail Solutions to develop the plan and SORBA Atlanta will partner with the Friends and work with Georgia State Parks to fund the design and construction of the trail system.
SORBA Atlanta’s Board believes that trail development at Chatt Bend fills a void in mountain biking opportunities in Coweta County which currently has no recreational trails available for mountain biking. We believe every county in the Metro Area should have mountain bike trails for our members and others to enjoy. We also believe that Chattahoochee Bend has the potential to be a Regional and Family Destination and a great escape for all of Metro Atlanta and the Southeast as an excellent option to camp and have a weekend getaway at Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
The physical geography is excellent for trail development and has many rock features and great scenery. We are excited by the incredible potential and the great new partnerships we have developed at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Read the press release and the thoughts of our South Metro Vice President Chris Doane on the project here: http://times-herald.com/news/2017/01/mountain-bike-trail-master-plan-to-be-done-at-chattahoochee-bend
You can also donate here to put trail on the ground at Chattahoochee Bend: https://www.gofundme.com/support-the-bend/
SORBA Atlanta receives $70k Park Pride Legacy Grant
Great news! We’ve received a $70,000 Legacy Grant from Park Pride to fund the expansion of a network of natural surface multi-use trails, including a bridge spanning Poole Creek and its surrounding wetlands.
Park Pride and members of the local mountain bike community recognize that professionally-designed natural surface trails promote public health and well-being through activities such as bicycling, hiking and running. At 211 acres, Southside is the third-largest park in the City of Atlanta and also one of the least-familiar parks to its residents.
Brett Davidson, President, SORBA Atlanta: “This project builds upon the 1.25-mile Evergreen Trail we completed in 2016 and is another step forward in our plans for a trail network at Southside Park totalling almost 7 miles.”
“We’re so excited to be able to support the expansion of this project with a Park Pride Legacy Grant, supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation,” said Allison Barnett, Park Pride’s Associate Director. “Our hope is that these new trails will help transform Southside Park into a destination park for the City’s broader constituents, particularly those on Atlanta’s south side.”
Joyce Sheperd, Atlanta City Council Member for the District says, “The South River Garden communities surrounding Southside Park lacked adequate access to public places for healthy recreational activities. The community was very excited on the opening of the mountain bike trail last fall in Southside Park. We welcome and appreciate the expansion of the trail through the $70,000 Grant received from Park Pride.”
The announcement of the grant coincided with the kick-off of SORBA Atlanta’s first capital campaign, designed to raise an additional $21,000 for this project. Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) has pledged $8,000, and Atlanta Cycling has offered to match all individual donations up to the first $3,000 raised through SORBA Atlanta’s web site, http://mtbatlanta.com//southside-park-donations/
About Park Pride:
Founded in 1989, Park Pride is the Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks. Working with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups, Park Pride provides leadership and services to help communities realize their dreams for neighborhood parks that support healthy people, strong neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, a robust economy and a healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the general public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at http://parkpride.org.
About SORBA Atlanta:
The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast. Volunteers with the Atlanta Chapter work with land managers throughout the Metro area to create and maintain sustainable trail systems for mountain bikers and others to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Aaron Chamberlain, https://www.singletracks.com
Evergreen Trail Open at Southside Park
Need an #itptrail to ride, run, or hike during the week? The Evergreen Trail at Southside Park is open for business. Less than 3 miles away from Constitution Lake Park and located at 3460 Jonesboro Road Atlanta 30357, just inside I-285, the Evergreen Trail at Southside Park is a perfect place to get in multiple laps on dirt for your evening ride/run or to take a relaxing hike in an incredible urban forest canopy and Park. This Winter there is more to come, as we bridge Poole Creek and get to work on building the Intermediate and Expert loops for up to 7 miles of #itptrails. Parking is available at the Park or add the loop into your mixed surface urban ride. Check out our Trails Tab for more information on the project and donate to build more trails at the Park above at the Southside Trail Fund. Photo-Aaron Chamberlain.
