By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — What’s been done covertly for decades in an unused section of green space on 23rd Street now is legal and could prove to be an eventual tourism draw for Southeast Kansas.
On Tuesday night, the City Commission unanimously approved a request by Jeff Wilbert, director of parks and recreation, to allow an organized group of residents to upgrade existing mountain-bike trails on city property adjacent to the railroad tracks at the 23rd Street overpass.
“It’s an area that’s been ridden on for years by people in spite of the fact that it’s been private property owned by the railroad, and then when the city built the overpass, it took over that piece of land,” said Roger Lomshek, owner of Tailwind Cyclists. He remembers riding there as a youth, and he has heard stories from his grandmother of young people riding there in her childhood.
About 90 percent of the existing trails, built throughout the years by various groups of cyclists, survived the overpass construction effort.
Together with Lomshek, Pittsburg residents John Harrison, a fire investigator; Ron Light, a law-enforcement officer; and Josh Pocznik, a bike shop owner, put legwork in for several months on the project and formed Kansas Overhill Racing as the organization for the effort.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, they offered the commissioners — most of whom said they never knew the trails existed — detailed packets and aerial maps outlining their plans.
The group seeks no monetary support from the city, relying on volunteers to put in the time and manpower necessary to cut back thorn bushes, remove fallen trees and resurrect washed-out trails. To date, about 20 people have joined.
In addition, 10 businesses have pledged to donate heavy equipment, time and manpower to the project. An attorney has pledged to help the group gain nonprofit status, and a sign maker has pledged to help create a sign for the park.
The group plans to seek private grants to help offset costs.
Harrison said that once the trails are rehabilitated, the group would like to begin a second phase of work to construct designated skill areas composed of obstacles for multiple ability levels. That would require dirt work, which Harrison said local resources have pledged to support.
Harrison said the group plans to eventually hold organized races and clinics at the park, which could be a tourism draw for Southeast Kansas.
Group members said the closest similar venue for riding mountain bikes is Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike/BMX and Freeride Park in Bentonville, Ark., a destination to which Harrison and other local riders frequently travel. They said it could serve as a model for the 23rd Street park.
“We see this as a way to keep local riders here on the weekends, and probably bring in others from other areas who will be spending their dollars and time in our area,” Harrison said after the meeting.
Lomshek said the park would appeal to people of many ages and abilities. He said he is thrilled that the Pittsburg area will have a place for young people, in particular, to get physical.
“In Arkansas, it’s a huge draw, where tons of locals go every weekend to ride, with moms and dads walking on the trails and teens getting out and enjoying the outdoors,” he said. “This could make Pittsburg a destination for adventure. It’s a great place to go play.”
Group members plan to begin work within the next few weeks before vegetation begins filling out, which can be an impediment to trail maintenance.
Insurance
Group members say they will be insured while doing work, and on group rides and other events, through the International Mountain Biking Association, which promotes trail building and riding across the nation.
