Press Release:FREDERICK, MD, November 1, 2009 - The City of Frederick, MORE (The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts), a non-profit representing thousands of Mid-Atlantic mountain bikers, and IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) have committed to enhance the existing trails in the Frederick Municipal Forest. MORE has been providing volunteer trail maintenance in the Frederick Municipal Forest for more than 15 years.
The Frederick Municipal Forest, 7,000 acres of forested land in western Frederick County, has been a popular destination for hikers, trail runners, hunters, equestrians and mountain bikers for many years. The Catoctin Trail, a 26 mile natural surface trail connecting Gambrill State Park, the Frederick Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin National Park, bisects the Watershed and is currently the only blazed and mapped trail in the Forest.
MORE and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) have recently completed phase I of a trail work project that rerouted a severely eroded section of the Catoctin Trail. After more than 650 volunteer hours, this new one mile section of sustainably built trail is now open to all users.
“The City of Frederick, MORE, PATC, and IMBA met to discuss this endeavor, developed a plan, included all the stakeholders and made a significant improvement for recreation and the environment at no cost to the taxpayers,“ said Tim Davis, City Transportation Planner. “This sort of collaborative effort where the public resources and private non-profit agencies work together is how publically beneficial projects will come together in the future.”
MORE has recently received a $30k grant from the National Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and a grant from Trek Bikes and IMBA Trail Solutions and will use this funding as well as volunteer labor to continue efforts to improve the quality of the Catoctin Trail. MORE, PATC and the City of Frederick have begun planning phase II of the Catoctin Trail reroute project in order to make the trail more sustainable. The reroute is expected to be complete in the summer of 2010.
“The efforts of City of Frederick, MORE, PATC, and IMBA have turned eroding trails into environmentally sound trails. We look forward to continuing this partnership,” said MORE President Jason Stoner
Additionally, MORE and IMBA, in partnership with the City of Frederick, have agreed to donate their services to blaze and map a circuit loop of existing trails in the Forest. Once complete, a free online map will be available for all users and the new blazed system will make traveling the trails more enjoyable for all.
MORE (The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts), Inc. is a 501c (3) non-profit representing thousands of area mountain bikers. Founded in 1992, MORE maintains more than 250 miles of natural surface trails in 25 state and county parks in the region. MORE members contribute more than 3,000 volunteer hours annually and have constructed nearly 100 miles of new, sustainable trail. The club also leads hundreds of rides each year at local parks, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions.
PATC, a non-profit, is the only agency that maintains the entire Catoctin Trail. PATC maintains and manages 1200 miles of trails in the Mid-Atlantic region including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail. www.patc.net CFC agency 91413. EIN #53-0187508. Phone: (703)242-0693 x105. 118 Park St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180
The Frederick Municipal Forest, 7,000 acres of forested land in western Frederick County, has been a popular destination for hikers, trail runners, hunters, equestrians and mountain bikers for many years. The Catoctin Trail, a 26 mile natural surface trail connecting Gambrill State Park, the Frederick Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin National Park, bisects the Watershed and is currently the only blazed and mapped trail in the Forest.
MORE and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) have recently completed phase I of a trail work project that rerouted a severely eroded section of the Catoctin Trail. After more than 650 volunteer hours, this new one mile section of sustainably built trail is now open to all users.
“The City of Frederick, MORE, PATC, and IMBA met to discuss this endeavor, developed a plan, included all the stakeholders and made a significant improvement for recreation and the environment at no cost to the taxpayers,“ said Tim Davis, City Transportation Planner. “This sort of collaborative effort where the public resources and private non-profit agencies work together is how publically beneficial projects will come together in the future.”
MORE has recently received a $30k grant from the National Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and a grant from Trek Bikes and IMBA Trail Solutions and will use this funding as well as volunteer labor to continue efforts to improve the quality of the Catoctin Trail. MORE, PATC and the City of Frederick have begun planning phase II of the Catoctin Trail reroute project in order to make the trail more sustainable. The reroute is expected to be complete in the summer of 2010.
“The efforts of City of Frederick, MORE, PATC, and IMBA have turned eroding trails into environmentally sound trails. We look forward to continuing this partnership,” said MORE President Jason Stoner
Additionally, MORE and IMBA, in partnership with the City of Frederick, have agreed to donate their services to blaze and map a circuit loop of existing trails in the Forest. Once complete, a free online map will be available for all users and the new blazed system will make traveling the trails more enjoyable for all.
MORE (The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts), Inc. is a 501c (3) non-profit representing thousands of area mountain bikers. Founded in 1992, MORE maintains more than 250 miles of natural surface trails in 25 state and county parks in the region. MORE members contribute more than 3,000 volunteer hours annually and have constructed nearly 100 miles of new, sustainable trail. The club also leads hundreds of rides each year at local parks, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions.
PATC, a non-profit, is the only agency that maintains the entire Catoctin Trail. PATC maintains and manages 1200 miles of trails in the Mid-Atlantic region including 240 miles of the Appalachian Trail. www.patc.net CFC agency 91413. EIN #53-0187508. Phone: (703)242-0693 x105. 118 Park St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180
PATC President Lee Sheaffer joins Joe, Phil, David, Clyde and 50 volunteers to open up the new Blue trail in the Frederick Watershed. Photo: Jay Divinagracia
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