Trail Advocacy Alert - Blue Mound State Park - WI
Overload Trail - Blue Mound State Park
Mountain bikers from the Quad Cities area regularly travel to Wisconsin State Parks to ride great singletrack trail. Blue Mound State Park near Mt. Horeb, WI is no exception and features some of Southern Wisconsin's best and most challenging singletrack. However, some of those trails may disappear if a new amendment to the park's master plan goes into effect. The amendment calls for the closure of ~4 miles of Overload Trail on the Northeast side of the park due to ecological concerns. Many feel the evidence warranting these closures has not been established and are asking the DNR to reconsider the recommendation. The BMSP master plan is rarely amended (only twice since 1980) so it is critical any changes to it be properly vetted by the public. It sounds like Blue Mound trail users could use more voices on their side for this issue. The public comment period ends December 16th.
From the Blue Mound State Park Master Plan Amendment - Nov. 2015 - pg. 3 [PDF]:
"Because of the sensitive ecological conditions in the northeast section of the park, the eastern edge Overload Trail will be closed and restored to preexisting conditions along with a smaller segment on the northern edge of this trail section. The northern edge trail will continue to exist with access improvements to the bridge and a less steep approach to Brigham County Park. Currently Dane County is considering expanding off-road bike opportunities that may provide 3 to 4 miles of trail. If a new park trail connection is established to the south as part of the improved trail system, this connection will be closed and restored to preexisting conditions."
Important Information About This Issue
Blue Mound locals are already making their voices heard on this issue but more public input is never a bad thing.
Add your comments to the pool by sending an email or letter to:
Paul Zajackowski
Parks District Supervisor
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg, WI 53711
Sometimes being a mountain biker requires more than riding your bike. This is a great example of one of those times. Please share this issue with anyone you know who regularly visits Blue Mound State Park.
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