Funding Obtained for First Two Phases of Mountain Bike Trails

Kershaw-Ryan State Park Ranger Andrew Porter reported at the Lincoln Communities Action Team meeting last month that funding for Phase I and II of the mountain bike trails has been obtained.

Porter said now he is putting out a request for proposal notifications to building contractors to submit qualifications and expects to receive replies from around the country. ?We are requiring that a contractor has at least five years experience in single-track mountain bike trails. We?ll get those back; then review and rate them and begin negotiations with the one chosen and get going on the construction.?

Porter said the trails will eventually connect with trails that are being planned for the mountains around the City of Caliente.

?It has been too hot to do trail construction right now, or even earlier in the summer. Not enough rain and moisture to keep the dust down and the proper conditions to keep the surface of the trail together, so we will hopefully begin construction this fall after the weather cools more and a contractor is selected.?

Porter also said he is in the process of writing a grant application for Phase III trails, which will be the last eight miles of the system. The grant is due in October.

In 2016, Kershaw-Ryan expanded the area covered by the park from 240 acres to 1,700 acres. Phase II is seven to eight miles of beginner trails, the easy, low skill level trails which would be in green on a trail map. ?Phase III,? said Porter, ?will be sectioned off that trail and will include loops for the intermediate mountain biker and more difficult loops for advanced bikers at the higher skill levels.?

He added, ?When completed, having these trails will allow us to draw in a more diverse user group, not only into Kershaw-Ryan but also into Caliente, all of which will not only increase our visitation but be an economic stimulus to Caliente.?