Just in case you dont feel like clicking the link. Here is Jeff's note.
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JORBA received an email from the Superintendent of High Point State Park (she is the former supt of Ringwood State Park in fact, and is very supportive of mountain biking) letting me know that the rangers have found and are closing some unauthorized trails in High Point. Due the style of trails that were built (windy and technical, with rock armored ramps and dimensional lumber transitions and/or ladders) its pretty certain that these were mountain biker-built trails. Hikers simply don't walk these sort of trails.
Some things to understand here:
First, the superintendent at HPSP supports mountain biking and mountain biker-built trails (as she has proven during her tenure at Ringwood, she approved Skylands, Warm Puppy and new Ringwood/Ramapo). So, I can personally say that you can't find very many people better to work with than the current superintendent at HPSP (the current superintendent of Ringwood is also fantastic to work with as well).
Second, she supports the concept of new trails at High Point, however they must go under a review process and they must be built under IMBA and JORBA sustainable trail specifications (this is what we use at all of our parks). You'll need some patience and professionalism to get it done, and you'll probably want to involve someone from JORBA but she informs me that the possibility is there.
Third, because superintendents talk, the unauthorized activity at HPSP will effect how JORBA does business at other parks in the region (such as Wawayanda, Ringwood, Allamuchy). Even though she knows that this was not done under JORBA sanction with JORBA volunteers, JORBA may not get such fast approvals on trail reviews in the future. Its a reputation thing... we're all mountain bikers so what we do effects all of us, positively or negatively. We all sink or swim together.
Finally, if you are involved or know of anyone involved in the trailbuilding activity, please understand that Park Police are now going to actively patrol these trails and you may find yourself fined if you are caught. Please let them know about this blog post and the seriousness of the situation.
Note: JORBA is not an enforcement organization (that is the realm of the State Park Police); we're an advocacy organization, but we cannot recommend building trails without permission. This is in fact our first rule. That said, if there are people that are in the High Point or Stokes area that are interested in building legitimate and legal trails, they should contact JORBA. We're not interested in turning anyone in, nor would we. But we are interested in serious people that are serious about maintaining and building good legal trails. You can contact me at mergler at jorba.org.
Thanks for your understanding and time.
Jeff Mergler
Executive Director, JORBA