New Trail! "Merrell Trails" trail day schedule, Rockford, MI

[RickPlite]

Hello Trail Volunteers!

We have great news, Merrell has sponsored the naming rights to the new mountain biking and hiking/running trails at the Plainfield Township property that up until now we have called the 10 Mile Complex or Plainfield Township Sports Complex. Funding provided by Merrell will allow us to build some very expensive bridges, pay for some mechanical bench cutting and build a kiosk and signs for the park.
Over the mild fall and winter a dedicated small group of folks have scouted the property, flagged the loops and helped clear 70% of the trail system. Now it is time to finish the clearing and work on bench cuts, bridges, armoring, boardwalks, shaping, etc.

Scott TenCate is the trail coordinator for the trail system but I will also be leading some trail days so we can get the park up and running as soon as possible. We have a long way to go and the connector for the temporary parking lot is a few months away so please be patient and in the meantime come lend a hand at building some awesome single track not to mention giving back to the community that provided this land for us to enjoy. Trails don't build themselves you know, park managers and employees don't either, it's up to the volunteers to make it happen, people like you!

Due to the unfinished parking area, the lack of a connector trail and the fact that this property is behind a gated and camera monitored entrance the trails as they stand now are not open for recreational (riding, hiking or walking) use! We hope to have a ribbon cutting in early June for the single track. When all is said and done the park should will have 6-7 miles of single track, a pump track and a BMX Park.

Starting next Monday April 2nd I will lead a trail day from 5:30 p.m. until dusk. then another one on Saturday April 7th from 9 a.m. to noon.

This will be the trail day schedule for the whole month of April so if you can't make it next week we hope to see you on another trail day planned for April. Schedule: April 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th and 30th

Since this is a fast and furious month of trail work, we will not be providing lunch afterwards. Please bring bug spray, gloves, rakes, water and a chainsaw if you own one.

The work days will be at the North Kent Transfer Station located at 2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford, MI 49341 Exit off 131 northbound at 10 Mile Road head east. Turn right at the second light (Meijers Gas Station) and then a quick left into the transfer station driveway. Please arrive on time since we have to unlock the gate and then lock it behind us. We won't wait past 5:35 p.m. on Mondays or 9:05 a.m. on Saturdays.


See you soon.
Rick and Scott

[RickPlite]

Starting next Monday April 2nd I will lead a trail day from 5:30 p.m. until dusk. then another one on Saturday April 7th from 9 a.m. to noon.

This will be the trail day schedule for the whole month of April so if you can't make it next week we hope to see you on another trail day planned for April. Schedule: April 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th and 30th

Anyone coming tomorrow? April 7th, 9am-noon

[RickPlite]

We cleared another 1/4 mile of trail today. Thanks go out to the volunteers today, especially the new volunteers, we thank you for taking the time from you schedules. If every rider only helped just once, imagine what we could get done! Join us this Monday night 4-9-12 from 5:30-dusk and clear some more trail. Trails don't build themselves. Do you enjoy the trails we build for YOU? Consider giving back, we need some new blood.

Rick and Scott

[tenner42]

The Merrell trail is going to be one killer trail.....once it's complete!!
Please! Mark your calendar and join us for trail building; Monday evenings 5:30 - dusk or Saturdays 9-12

Bring some friends too!! The more help we get working on this new trail, the sooner we'll all be riding it

[ReidRules18]

The wife and I plan on attending tonight. We are going to be racing to be there by 5:30, see ya then!

[RickPlite]

thanks to those that came out tonight, we cleared another 1/4 mile of trail in 2 hours!

IMG_4280 by westernmmba, on Flickr

[tenner42]

Come on out and help clear some more new Merrell trail.....
This Saturday April 14th. 9-12
Bring; gloves, water, leaf rake, leaf blower

See you there

[RickPlite]

Trail Day 4-9-12 by westernmmba, on Flickr


tree wishbone ride by westernmmba, on Flickr

[John_H]

Trail work still a go for tonight? Thanks! John

[tenner42]

We will be working onthe Merrell trail tonIght Monday, April 16 from 5:30 - 8:00
Meet at the 10-mile gate and we'll drive back to the trail together

See you there![code][/code]

[tenner42]

We will have a trail day at the Merrell Trails Saturday, April 21....Tomorrow!! 9 AM - Noon.
North Kent Transfer Station located at 2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford, MI 49341 Exit off 131 northbound at 10 Mile Road head east. Turn right at the second light (Meijers Gas Station) and then a quick left into the transfer station driveway

Bring; gloves, water, leaf rake

we have made substantial progress on rough opening the trail cooridor. However, we have a lot of work to do before its ridable.

[jmgorman]

I haven't participated yet, but tentatively planning on tomorrow. I have a chainsaw I can bring, and I also have a 4wd utility vehicle with winch and a dump box if you think it would be useful, let me know thanks.

[RickPlite]

I haven't participated yet, but tentatively planning on tomorrow. I have a chainsaw I can bring, and I also have a 4wd utility vehicle with winch and a dump box if you think it would be useful, let me know thanks.

holy cow, leave the chainsaw at home and bring the 4wd utility dumper!

[tenner42]

We still have a ton of work to do on the Merrell trails. We will be holding trail days every Wednesday in May from 5:30 till dusk.

We will also have a trail day this Saturday, May 12th from 9 till noon

Bring your gloves, bug spray, water and your appetite
Jody Beard and Neil Sharphorn will be preparing a taco bar lunch !!
Thank you!!!

[RickPlite]

more trail pics

85 by westernmmba, on Flickr