Robson
Well-Known Member
I did the big loop on fat bike. The place is flatter than Allaire!
https://www.strava.com/activities/3083396878
https://www.strava.com/activities/3083396878
I made it! It was super dry and super flat.How'd you make out?
There have been high winds in the area all day today. There are many large and small branches down on the roads surrounding Batsto. If you will be riding this weekend, expect lots of limb litter and maybe several blowdowns. If you are able, please feel free to drag what you can off the trail. Thanks!
So this is how our tax $$ are going to be used??? Unbelievable!Got an e-mail today from a State Parks & Forests staff member following up on the Parks and Forests trail closures. He emphasized that the State Park Police are patrolling the trails.
The adjacent NJ Conservation Foundation's Franklin Parker Preserve is also closed.
NJDEP | News Release 20/P012 | All State Parks & Forests Closed to Help Further Limit the Spread of Covid-19
NJDEP-News Release 20/P012 - To limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure social distancing, DEP will close all state parks and forests effective at 8:00 p.m. today, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.www.nj.gov
mmmm I read that staff member's comment as; the SPP is spending less time on the county roads and more time in the forest. I could ask him for clarification... but I know I'd never get it.So this is how our tax $$ are going to be used??? Unbelievable!
I agree. However, gov't jobs that are furloughed are typically kept whole with respect to pay and their jobs are still available once the furlough is over (unlike the private sector). If part of their daily responsibility is a drive-by of the parking areas or access places where people congregate that's one thing but if they are actually taking the time to patrol the trails then they probably don't have enough to do and should be furlough'ed. This is coming from someone that's had to make some very difficult decisions about furloughing people in my business.I understand that a lot of the parks and forests workforce is furloughed. Which has gotta be rough.
I agree. However, gov't jobs that are furloughed are typically kept whole with respect to pay and their jobs are still available once the furlough is over (unlike the private sector). If part of their daily responsibility is a drive-by of the parking areas or access places where people congregate that's one thing but if they are actually taking the time to patrol the trails then they probably don't have enough to do and should be furlough'ed. This is coming from someone that's had to make some very difficult decisions about furloughing people in my business.
Might also add that park police are essential state employees and can be used elsewhere as the state sees fit...maintenance crews might have hours reduced or be furloughed indefinitely and as is typical with the state of NJ if they get by without that employees services for a period of time they may just axe that job and it may or may not be there when this is over. Gonna be tough all around for a while.Understood. I think its the *drive-by of the parking areas or access places where people congregate* you mention.
For those outside this discussion that don't know the WSF. Wharton Forest is larger than Union County, 192 sq miles compared to 103 sq miles (fact check?). There are lots of places where people congregate, and hundreds of miles of sand road (trail) connecting it all.
Might also add that park police are essential state employees and can be used elsewhere as the state sees fit...maintenance crews might have hours reduced or be furloughed indefinitely and as is typical with the state of NJ if they get by without that employees services for a period of time they may just axe that job and it may or may not be there when this is over. Gonna be tough all around for a while.
Thanks for the info..Guess we have to wait for Comrade Murphy to give the all clear(unless you're riding in Lakewood)...Stay safe my friends!