Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

Anyone ridden there? From what I can find on the internet, it's open to bikes and has "Tight singletrack trails, wide doubletrack trails, and gravel roads that travel through densely wooded areas and tidal marshes.

Looking through the web today, I came across this: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/

They are currently (though March 26 2007) taking comments for public use activities and are proposing to allow bikes only on gravel roads.

I've never been there, but it's pretty close to the city and from what I can tell, it doesn't seem technically challenging, but rather like it'd be a great place for beginning mtb'rs and kids rides.

Can anyone provide any insight into this park and the situation? 

To comment contact Acting Refuge Manager, Gary Stolz at: Gary_Stolz@fws.gov or mail to: Refuge Manager, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA. 19153.

Here is the document descibing the use of cycling, in case anyone's interested:

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/Cycling%20Compatibility%20Determination%2007.pdf

I've ridden there and I have only seen a small amount of singletrack. Most of the trails on the map are gravel. At the southern tip of the park is a 1/4 - 1/2 mile of poorly maintained singletrack. There is about a mile of singletrack in the area of the marsh restoration project. It is the northern trail. This trail gets closed in by sharp vegetation in summer and fall. The gravel trails are OK for beginners. The place often smells terrible and does not drain well. It's fun to ride a fixed gear cross bike there in the winter.

Dan