I’m going to have to respectfully but strongly disagree with you on most of your points.
Re: removal of natural features – That’s never been done at any of the TM sessions I have attended (which is most in the last 2-3 years). The rangers will sometimes remove them if they feel they are unsafe. Nobody who rides a bike likes it, but it is what it is… It’s the park’s call.
Re: Flow. I think you are way way off. The old trails went right up and right down the hill. Flow was nonexistent. In the last 2 years, the reroutes (mostly designed by Kirt, to his credit) made the straight up and down trails add some twisty curves. They actually add trail which is undeniable and unarguably a good thing. The recent re-routes made to the white trail, the blue trail, and the yellow trail add a TON of flow. And these all lead to the next point…
Re: Trail erosion. The old trails that went right up and down the hill, just became streams of running water when it rained. Cleary, they were poorly designed. The new trails were designed with sustainability in mind. The twisty curves add plenty of opportunity to shed water and prevent erosion. I think the reroutes on the yellow trail that were done last year are a prime example of this. Before those re-routes this trail was unrideable after rain. End of story. Now the muddy sections have been reduced drastically and the trail is in much better shape and ready to ride much quicker after ran.
Re: man made trail features, you may have a point. But I look at it a little differently. I see it as proof that the mountain bike community actually has a line of communication with the park, and the park is listening. This is a huge step in the right direction and will only benefit the future experience of the riding at the park.
Only the Rangers are allowed to use power equipment (especially chainsaws) on Somerset County Parks. Hopefully they will start this week with the chainsaw work. They cover a lot of parks though & I'm not sure where CR falls on the priority list.
