first of all, thanks for everything you do to keep LM one of my favorite riding spots. I was there for the first time this season, after missing most of last after a major injury. Noticed a long stretch of the Teal trail, one of my favorite bits of twisty singletrack, is now closed. Was there an issue or do you think that'll be reopened?
Hi, thanks for your comments. There is a pretty long thread on the situation elsewhere on MTBNJ, but the bottom line is the the MCPC closed that section down last fall because it was not on the 2002 master plan, even though they gave us verbal approval to build that section of trail in 2013. I have lobbied a few times (in person and in writing) unsuccessfully to have it re-opened.
The irony here is that we built that trail with reverse grades in order to make it sustainable (in accordance with IMBA standards) and it was meant to replace the straight, fall-line trail that it crosses over (which as you can see is eroding with lots of exposed roots and rubble-y stones). That trail was a "rake and ride" affair put in by someone (I know the person) in late 90's or early 2000's who had no clue about proper trail design. Yet that trail survives and the sustainable one gets closed down.
My recommendation is to write to the MCPC and ask respectfully that the trail be re-opened. The contact there is Denise Chaplick
dchaplick@morrisparks.net.
Thanks again!
^^ Edit, I assumed you were referring to the section off Orange, which is the only "long stretch" of twisty trail that was closed (there are shorter sections that were closed in the park but these were rogue trails that were legitimately meant to be closed). However in re-reading your note I see you reference "Teal" (which intersects with Orange at the junction of where the twisty trail was laid). We're likely talking about the same trail but just wanted to confirm.