WISS PUBLIC FORUM NOTICE! 3/20 and 3/22
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jomissa
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« on: March 01, 2007, 10:01:58 AM »
repost from other forum just to make sure everyone sees this.

http://www.phillymtb.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,33/topic,68.0
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mtbfroggy
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« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2007, 11:15:43 AM »
Just learned about this myself--in case you don't click through the link, it's about an open forum the Friends of the Wissahickon are holding on two nights next week to discuss the future of trails in the Wissahickon.  Please go if you can!  Smiley
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dirtmerchant
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« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2007, 07:02:19 PM »
Don't forget about this meeting Tuesday!
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max
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« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2007, 09:25:49 AM »
hey guys...

i am planning to hit thursdays meeting at saul (as it is more local to me).

but i realize you guys are also going to meet after tuesdays meeting...

do you think you all need a map for tuesday night (for the PMBA meeting after the FOW meeting)? if so maybe i could meet someone before the 6PM meeting somewhere to drop the map off so you can use it?

if i don't here i'll just bring it thursday to saul and hand it off to lou or chris or somebody important... Wink
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dirtmerchant
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« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2007, 10:22:55 AM »
Max I will try to get that thing from you today or tomorrow if possible. If not, Thursday is fine...
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RepoMan
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« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2007, 11:18:54 AM »
Does anyone know where in the New Covenant Campus the meeting is going to be tonight? I assume that it's the large campus in the middle of this Google Maps image but it looks like there are a bunch of buildings. I guess it'll be marked, but never having been there I'm curious.
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max
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« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2007, 11:42:02 AM »
hey lou,

i could meet you somewhere today after work if it is convenient. i'll be home by like 4:45.

i'll PM you my cellhphone #!

max
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RepoMan
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« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2007, 03:45:09 PM »
Good meeting last night. For the most part, things sound pretty positive about the trail initiative. Personally, I need to take a good long look at the maps and try to figure out just what trails are being deemed unmanageable and what's going to be closed before I can feel entirely comfortable, but it does seem like those making the decisions do have everyone's best interests in mind.

While I think there was a little thinly veiled negativity directed towards bikes, it was nothing like the 1996 public meeting I went to at Saul. That was brutal and disheartening and made me think twice about coming to this meeting but obviously in the intervening 10 years, it seems like users have realized that different groups can coexist peacefully.

I was a little surprised to hear that dogs off leash garnered the highest complaints.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses.
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jpearce
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« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2007, 08:05:20 AM »
There was a little negativity towards bikers, but the only overt comments were made by that one old horseback rider (who's a retired cop, I believe) who wanted more "enforcement" and tried to get a discussion going about building jumps ("If the mountain bikers get to build them, then horseback riders want them too. "  I was getting ready to volunteer to personally build a 4-foot horse jump - and pay for it - if I could watch that guy actually jump it on his horse, although I admit that thoughts of Christopher Reeve prompted that idea...)

The FOW and FPC guys have been smart to channel the dissention about park users into trail improvement projects, and it's pretty clear that the leadership of both organizations have no axes to grind against mountain bikers.  If we continue to take the high road, avoid criticizing other users, and be good park users, we should continue to have them on our side, especially if other park users are as unreasonable as that guy.
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HomegrownSS
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« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2007, 08:50:24 AM »
a horse jump?!?  actually i would not have any problems with a dedicated section of the park for horse jumps and that weird fancy ridin' stuff.  they deserve it as much we deserve a terrain park type section, except theirs would get very very little use considering the amount of time and training it takes to get a horse to jump over something. Smiley  so to keep that one guy happy, ya, go ahead and build your freaking horse jump.
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dirtmerchant
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« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2007, 09:18:23 AM »
Yes it was an informative meeting. The fact that FOW has hired IMBA Trail Solutions to take the key role in this project, including educating the users, bodes very well for mountain bikers. Think about it!

I was disappointed in the small number of people at the meeting, especially for how many people use the park. PMBA had a large, if not the largest, presence. There were a few people who had their own agendas and made sure to voice them, although I didn't think they were threatening to bikers... It's funny that the reason for these meetings is to educate everyone about the project, why and how the trails will be built, and update the status. However I guess user conflict is always on some peoples minds. Anyway, it was still positive.

It is totally within reason and possibility to have certain trails dedicated to each user group, and that user group can build their trail to their specs, as long as they are in line with the FOW/IMBA specs. I think the benefits are clear, separate users at certain areas to eliminate conflict, and everyone will be happy...

How about a jump trail that crosses over the hiking trail and you have to jump over the hikers heads?!?  Grin That would be cool, but I am just kidding of course...
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max
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« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2007, 10:04:36 AM »
any of you going to saul tonight?
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surlyrider
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« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2007, 11:21:32 AM »
If I am out of work on time, I will go.
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max
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« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2007, 12:20:05 PM »
hey mr. surly

who are you in "real life" so i might have a chance to bump into you tonight?

i am a big tall guy with a shaved head and an beard who will more than likely be riding his bike (schwinn paramount fixed gear) unless my GF decides to come in which case we will PROBABLY go by car.

hope to see lots of you there tonight!
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Dmitri
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« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2007, 12:59:37 PM »
Quote from: dirtmerchant on March 22, 2007, 09:18:23 AM
I was disappointed in the small number of people at the meeting, especially for how many people use the park. PMBA had a large, if not the largest, presence.

Sorry couldn't make it due to family stuff and looks like won't be able tonight neither... sucks...

dz
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surlyrider
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« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2007, 01:23:36 PM »
If I do actually make it. You can spot me. I am a taller guy with a light goatee. I will probably be wearing khakis, a yellow shirt and green sweatervest. Probably coming straight from school.
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RepoMan
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« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2007, 04:18:57 PM »
Quote from: dirtmerchant on March 22, 2007, 09:18:23 AM
The fact that FOW has hired IMBA Trail Solutions to take the key role in this project, including educating the users, bodes very well for mountain bikers.

Agreed, that was something I didn't know previously and it was really great to see that. Some of the grumbling I heard on the left side of the room seemed to be about that fact (all the pics of bikers in the presentation), but it was great to see biking portrayed as a positive force. At that meeting in '96, it was easy to feel like a total outcast with all the yelling and pointing fingers, mainly directed at bikers. I left that meeting back then feeling a ban wasn't out of the question.

Now it seems that most people have moved past it and it's time to take care of the park.
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jomissa
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« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2007, 07:56:25 AM »
I think it would be a good idea for the PMBA to write a brief letter to the FOW and Fairmount contacts from the meeting.  It would be something short saying that we were happy to attend, offer our future support, and just make a small point (not to be worded as i write it...) that our level of participation in the meetings as the largest single user group- and an organized one at that, is a sign of our committmet to support the effort through cooperative partnerships to the benifit of all end users.

Make sure they get a sticker too!

josh

   
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