Nassau Trails - partial closure
- Thread starter Patrick
- Start date
Jeffreywoliver
Well-Known Member
I agree being antagonistic is a bad strategy. Hope for the best.
Yes, being hostile and combative is not the way, however having no presence is likely not the way either. If 50 people show up in support it sends a message but if no one shows up the town will think no one cares. One can argue both sides.
iman29
Well-Known Member
the more I think about it the more this feedback makes sense. based on the information the town was formally required to designate the trail closed due to the restricted use requirement in the deed.
That being said, enforcement may be another story as well as any legality about trespassing.
Just also consider any actions that may exacerbate the situation like the idea that well we can just ride it anyway, will just reinforce the perception that MTB riders don't care about these things and do whatever they want anyway, so we should just close ALL the trails (not likely but hey who thought these trails would get closed in the first place).
Norm also made some good points we don't even know what else is in play or what the next steps to sorting this out in a more positive manner that all sides can live with it might be, so rallying the troops and stampeding the town with demands will put those in power in defensive mode automatically.
Hoping this can get sorted out somehow sooner than later but I personally plan to abide by the "rules" when I go there to not make it worse.
or.. we can eliminate the New Jersey Office of Natural Resource Restoration.
seems like the nuclear option tho...
Good thing my MTB identifies as a pack mule.
iman29
Well-Known Member
Mine identifies as a road bike so I should be covered too under this approach LOL
pkovo
Well-Known Member
It's a bummer for sure, but I've ridden it using the field to connect the two sides avoiding the closed trails and it isn't so bad.
Starting at Foran and doing all that's left of Springside, especially if you run the Springside loop twice (once each way) and all of the OG Nassau trails is still a pretty nice ride.
Matt's Trail could be nice to connect if a trail gets worn in through the field, but even using the road, it's a quick downhill shot to either Nassau lot from the bottom of the field, so it doesn't really upset the flow of the ride too much.
Can always ride over and connect some laps on the flow trails also now that they are open.
Starting at Foran and doing all that's left of Springside, especially if you run the Springside loop twice (once each way) and all of the OG Nassau trails is still a pretty nice ride.
Matt's Trail could be nice to connect if a trail gets worn in through the field, but even using the road, it's a quick downhill shot to either Nassau lot from the bottom of the field, so it doesn't really upset the flow of the ride too much.
Can always ride over and connect some laps on the flow trails also now that they are open.
It looks like the South Branch Watershed has been absorbed by the RHA https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/
Unfortunately, I'd say that someone involved way back had a poor view of MTB and thought it to be a destructive activity. The RHA looks like they do some great preservation work and community outreach. They have various events coming up in fact.
Unfortunately, I'd say that someone involved way back had a poor view of MTB and thought it to be a destructive activity. The RHA looks like they do some great preservation work and community outreach. They have various events coming up in fact.
Jeffreywoliver
Well-Known Member
I don't think sending messages of interest via email or public comments to mayor and council and highlighting the value Nassau and Springside bring to HB is a bad idea or too combative. Hearing from outsiders is good imo.
Surely when Jeff and others built these trails way back when there was some form of permission and authorization granted by whomever is/was the land steward, no? If so can that be cited as evidence that this activity was approved by the appropriate powers that be. The way I see it, the land steward approved the trial building for the purposes of multi use, volunteers stepped up to build what are now essentially assets on the land, and now these assets are not available for the very use for which they were created and for the very people that created them. Doesn’t add up. Do we have the original paperwork and other artifacts that governed approval of the trail construction?
Jeffreywoliver
Well-Known Member
As I understand it, either the town never knew about the deed restrictions (this is likely) or the change of use agreement was never completed. This was brought up by a neigh or in 2019 and came to a head in 2020 when the state was notified.
These were both posted on the Mayor's facebook page. The Deed Map seems indicate that Brogan's Run would still be open however, the kiosk sign says otherwise. Not looking to stir the pot - just sharing the information to keep everyone in the loop. I would say air on the side of caution and assume Brogan's Run is also closed.
Jeffreywoliver
Well-Known Member
The gap between 2019 and 2023 fails to mention what steps were/weren't taken to do just that.