Hartwood Acres - PA

[Shiva]

Who knows about Hartwood Acres, and the trail maintenance????? I have lots of questions, who can give me some answers????

Thanks

[Goride]

We over here at Dirt Rag are pretty familiar with the park. We do some maintenance in Hartwood and have the blessing of the Parks Service for it. What do you want to know?

-brad

[Mauriceman]

Here's the plan, please distribute to all.

KEEP SINGLETRACK SINGLE!

We’ve got a plan for maintaining access and aesthetics in Hartwood Acres county park:

Stop creating new trails and spurs. There are plenty of trails in Hartwood. We are blessed with TONS of trails all around the Pittsburgh area. Spread the love.

Some people are creating extraneous spurs in order to go around logs that they can’t hop. This is unacceptable. If you can’t hop it, walk it.

Other people are creating extraneous spurs in order to make more obstacles to ride. This, too, is unacceptable, as the creation of more and more obstacle riding is eventually going to get us thrown out of the park.

And worst of all, some people are creating inane shortcuts that don’t make the trail more fun for anyone, they just make the trail shorter, straighter and more boring.

Do you really want the park to be one big messy spider web of trails?

With the cooperation of the county parks department, we are going to close some spurs. Please respect this. We are going to make decisions on which trails should remain open, and which should be closed. Sometimes we will keep the easy trail, and take down the obstacles. Other times we will close the easy trail, and leave the obstacles. These are not easy decisions to make, but we are trying to make a trail that will be fun for everyone.

And of course, stay out of the park when it’s muddy.

Have some respect for other users, including the animals.

Thanks,
The staff of Dirt Rag Magazine

publisher@dirtragmag.com

[Mauriceman]

Here’s the text of a flyer we’re passing out in Hartwood.

Mountain bikers, hikers, everyone!
In an effort to keep single track alive, we are trying to close off extraneous trails and spurs in Hartwood. Please respect these trail spur closures. We as mountain bikers have long-term goals like:
• Maintaining sustainable trails
• Not getting kicked out of the park
• Respecting all users
• Leaving some room for nature
• Keep the single track as it’s supposed to be, single.
Please help out:
• Do not make more new trails
• Do not cut switchbacks
• Do not make shortcuts
• Stay on the trail
• Honor trail closures
Brought to you by your friends at Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (PORC), Pittsburgh Trail Advocacy Group (PTAG), Dirt Rag Magazine, and the County Park Administration.
Please don’t litter.

[Shiva]

Hey, thanks for the replies. Here are some of my questions/concerns:

First, thanks for making the effort and putting in the time and energy to help mountain biking.

Second, some background. I have worked in the environmental field for over 15 years, so I understand that philosophy. I have also worked AND played in outdoor areas for over 15 years, so I understand that aspect.

I have seen many similar problems arise with respect to access and maintenance of rock climging sites. And I predict we will see similar problems with the maintenance and trail work at Hartwood and surrounding areas.

Some questions:
1. Who initiated this project? What is the background?
2. What is your criteria concerning what are main trails, what are spurs?
3. What is your criteria for determining which sections are too hard, which sections are easy?
4. What is wrong with having sections (such as large trees) that are technical to get over, along with a very short bypass around that tree? This allows for ALL abilities to enjoy that section of trail (and I don't think that bypass could be considered a spur) This also allows for all kinds of users (hikers, horses, etc) to enjoy the trail.

I agree whole-heartedly that those ridiculous shortcuts should be closed down.

I have other questions, but that is enough for now. I have put time and thought in to my questions, I hope that responders would do the same.

Thanks for your time and any information that you can supply me with.

[Mauriceman]

The project started because we were seeing way too many new trails and spurs being created.

So we're trying to create trails that offer fun to all levels.

With the help of park personel, we've chainsawed some trees right next to the logpiles, so you can ride the logpile or go around it without creating a large spur. Some people keep re-opening spurs that we've closed, out of spite for what we are trying to accomplish. This is frustrating. I would love to talk to these people. I think i could turn them around to our way of thinking, but right now it seems like a war. We've put up flyers like you see above, but they sometimes get torn down.

We're having some sucess, but someone out there is against us.

[Shiva]

I think the flyers will go a long way to informing people, and you might have them support your efforts, rather than thwart them.

Shiv