I Love GR Parks event- http://www.friendsofgrparks.org/
Thursday, May 7, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – May 7, 2009 – Do we want better parks, to become a bicycle friendly community, to build a whitewater course through downtown Grand Rapids or organize more farmers markets? If so, how can citizens, government and business take action to make these visions a reality? Who are the champions who will move pieces of the green agenda forward in Grand Rapids?
At Green Gathering: Actions on Wednesday, May 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the public is invited to review three park special studies – Joe Taylor, Ball-Perkins and Butterworth Landfill – and three Grand River special studies – 201 Market Street, eastside riverwalk extension from the Blue Bridge to Wealthy St. and a “rapids” run on the Grand River. Future action then will be prioritized based on recommended strategies for Natural Systems, Greening, Parks and Recreation, Connections, the Grand River and Local Food.
The forum takes place at Harrison Park Elementary, 1440 Davis Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. It is the third of three community forums hosted by Green Grand Rapids, an 18-month project launched by the City to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. For information about the meeting, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031. A final fall 2009 open house meeting will also be held.
“This is a very important part of Green Grand Rapids – where individuals can make a difference. Their actions have a direct impact on making our city even better,” says Suzanne Schulz, planning director for the City of Grand Rapids. “The special studies show how many green objectives and strategies can be achieved with concept plans developed with public participation. The next step is challenging. We must set priorities because financial resources are limited. People who are passionate about the Green Grand Rapids vision need to step forward, like the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and organizers of the Bicycle Summit have done. We need strong, committed community leadership to be actively involved in making Grand Rapids a more desirable place to live, work and play.”
About Green Grand Rapids
Green Grand Rapids is an 18-month project designed to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. Financial supporters of Green Grand Rapids include Grand Rapids’ Downtown Development Authority, Wege Foundation, Frey Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Dyer-Ives Foundation. For information, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031.
At Green Gathering: Actions on Wednesday, May 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the public is invited to review three park special studies – Joe Taylor, Ball-Perkins and Butterworth Landfill – and three Grand River special studies – 201 Market Street, eastside riverwalk extension from the Blue Bridge to Wealthy St. and a “rapids” run on the Grand River. Future action then will be prioritized based on recommended strategies for Natural Systems, Greening, Parks and Recreation, Connections, the Grand River and Local Food.
The forum takes place at Harrison Park Elementary, 1440 Davis Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. It is the third of three community forums hosted by Green Grand Rapids, an 18-month project launched by the City to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. For information about the meeting, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031. A final fall 2009 open house meeting will also be held.
“This is a very important part of Green Grand Rapids – where individuals can make a difference. Their actions have a direct impact on making our city even better,” says Suzanne Schulz, planning director for the City of Grand Rapids. “The special studies show how many green objectives and strategies can be achieved with concept plans developed with public participation. The next step is challenging. We must set priorities because financial resources are limited. People who are passionate about the Green Grand Rapids vision need to step forward, like the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and organizers of the Bicycle Summit have done. We need strong, committed community leadership to be actively involved in making Grand Rapids a more desirable place to live, work and play.”
About Green Grand Rapids
Green Grand Rapids is an 18-month project designed to update the 2002 city-wide Master Plan and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan with an emphasis on green initiatives. Financial supporters of Green Grand Rapids include Grand Rapids’ Downtown Development Authority, Wege Foundation, Frey Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Dyer-Ives Foundation. For information, go to http://www.greengrandrapids.us/ or call 616-456-3031.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Luton Park Update
May 9th will be our next trail day at Luton Park, we plan to remove all of the items in the dump pile on the yellow loop. Padnos has already agreed to provide a dumpster for scrap metal and we plan to have a dumpster for trash as well. The problem will be that we need plenty of "runners" to go back and forth the 1/2 mile from dump to barn. If you have a pick up truck, quad, skid loader, trailer, etc. let me know so we can coordinate the haulers for the day. Then we need plenty of people to pick up the scrap and trash. Most of these items are tires and 5 gallon metal buckets. Please bring leather gloves and heavy work boots for protection! Do you have little ones that would like to help? This is the perfect chance, tons of tin cans and unbroken glass bottles to pick up too. Again bring gloves. We could also use flat blade shovels, leaf blowers, rakes, plastic trash cans. Spread the word on this one, lets make Luton Park a better place for all to see.
Update: Forest Hills Foods deli department has donated box lunches for the event, thanks Jeff!
Padnos Iron and Metal has so graciously donated a scrap metal dumpster and Allied Waste will provide the trash dumpster, thank you Doug, Lee and Jan!
We had a total of 20 people on April 26th and the rain held off until we got the Yellow Loop completely fine tuned. Due to the heavy rain last night, the very first section has a 20 foot area underwater, this is easy to avoid by simply riding the old original hiking trail near by. A total of 80 man hours were put into the trail work today! The new bench cuts will not only improve the flow of the ride but also lessen the erosion that storm water causes by running down the trail. Good work everyone! A special thank you to the Bissell cycling team for providing the lunch today.
Update: Forest Hills Foods deli department has donated box lunches for the event, thanks Jeff!
Padnos Iron and Metal has so graciously donated a scrap metal dumpster and Allied Waste will provide the trash dumpster, thank you Doug, Lee and Jan!
We had a total of 20 people on April 26th and the rain held off until we got the Yellow Loop completely fine tuned. Due to the heavy rain last night, the very first section has a 20 foot area underwater, this is easy to avoid by simply riding the old original hiking trail near by. A total of 80 man hours were put into the trail work today! The new bench cuts will not only improve the flow of the ride but also lessen the erosion that storm water causes by running down the trail. Good work everyone! A special thank you to the Bissell cycling team for providing the lunch today.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
2009 Yankee Springs Time Trial Recap
2009 Yankee Springs Time Trial Recap
Thanks to all volunteers for the hardwork, some starting last Oct 2008, to make the 20th Anniversary of the Time Trial a huge success. Feedback from racers online and via emails are overwhelmingly positive!
Results show 550 registered racers. What's even MORE significant- only 126 of these were day-of registrations, which means we had a 77% pre-registration rate via BikeReg.com. We cannot understate how important pre-registration is to helping the check-in process for the volunteers on race day! This percentage is unprecedented for most mountain bike races.
Niel Scharphorn, sporting BikeTag #1 for the second year, took first place in the elite category for the second year in a row with a TWO-lap time of 1:29:22 He did his FIRST lap nearly as fast as previous years! Lap #1 = 43:57, Lap #2 = 45:25 (2008 his one lap time was 43.32)-- Congratulations Niel!
Results are here:
Yankee Springs Time Trial website -and-
Race Services
The Anniversary Pint Glasses were a great success- and we sold 63 online at $5.00 each in addition to the glasses we gave to the 425 pre-registered riders. We sold 61 Time Trail T-shirts online via BikeReg and a significant number of shirts were sold on site as well by Jason Bechtel, who admirably manned the Shirts and Pintglass table.
Also, the timing company's online results search was highly applauded
On to next year-- YEAHHHHH!
Thanks to all volunteers for the hardwork, some starting last Oct 2008, to make the 20th Anniversary of the Time Trial a huge success. Feedback from racers online and via emails are overwhelmingly positive!
Results show 550 registered racers. What's even MORE significant- only 126 of these were day-of registrations, which means we had a 77% pre-registration rate via BikeReg.com. We cannot understate how important pre-registration is to helping the check-in process for the volunteers on race day! This percentage is unprecedented for most mountain bike races.
Niel Scharphorn, sporting BikeTag #1 for the second year, took first place in the elite category for the second year in a row with a TWO-lap time of 1:29:22 He did his FIRST lap nearly as fast as previous years! Lap #1 = 43:57, Lap #2 = 45:25 (2008 his one lap time was 43.32)-- Congratulations Niel!
Results are here:
Yankee Springs Time Trial website -and-
Race Services
The Anniversary Pint Glasses were a great success- and we sold 63 online at $5.00 each in addition to the glasses we gave to the 425 pre-registered riders. We sold 61 Time Trail T-shirts online via BikeReg and a significant number of shirts were sold on site as well by Jason Bechtel, who admirably manned the Shirts and Pintglass table.
Also, the timing company's online results search was highly applauded
On to next year-- YEAHHHHH!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit
2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit
The 2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit that will take place on May 29-31, 2009 at the Cannonsburg Ski Area near Grand Rapids, MI. The three-day Summit will provide educational and networking opportunities to over three hundred mountain bicyclists, trail builders and advocates from across the Midwest.
More information:
Monday, April 13, 2009
New Bike Park to be built in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS -- Mountain bikers will have a new place to ride within the Grand Rapids city limits this summer.
A mountain bike trail and skills area are slated to be built in May at the former southwest Little League site at 580 Kirtland, now the home of a BMX bike track operated by Helmet-On.
The project comes after three years of discussions between area mountain bikers and the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department. Cyclists have been asking where a city park trail might be built. City officials say they found a location that fits. Click link for full story....... http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2009/04/grand_rapids_mountain_bike_tri.html
Saturday, April 11, 2009
April 2009 WMMBA Meeting Minutes
Western Michigan Mountain Biking Association
Meeting Minutes
Amendment added 04/12/09 (in red)
Date: April 6, 2009
Location: Mangiamo Restaurant – 2nd Floor, Grand Rapids, MI
Board Members Present: Jason Dew-Vice President, Jennifer Bechtel – Secretary
Excused Absence: Rick Plite - President, Martin Hall-Treasurer, Nate Phelps-State Representative, Heather Kubiak-State Representative
Total Attendence: 9 members, 1 guest
Start time: 6:30 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m. – Jason Dew
Guest - Kevin McKurren
Presented updates for the Bicycle Summit for April 24th 8:30 – 4:30.
There will be three presentations and then break-out sessions.
Register on the City’s Website or at Green Grand Rapids.
http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=7074
Minutes recap from February 2, 2009 – by Jason Dew
Film Festival recap – by Jason Dew. A successful event.
Strategic Planning sessions Review – by Jason Dew. Continuing process.
Yankee Springs Time-Trial Review – by Jason Dew
Need volunteers to help with trail work and day of event.
Trail Day is April 11th.
Upcoming Trail Days – by Jason Dew
Game Area – will be rock re-armoring (rather than re-routing).
Hands-on armoring demo from GORC (Gateway Off-Road Cyclist) at the Mid-West Mountain Bike Summit this May
Ski-Area – de-berming, remove face slappers, add pavers for downhill areas.
Please note the ski area is doing work on their tubing route and we will have to ride around this area to access the trail.
Please sign up for the training sessions so we can have a few credentialed people at each trail day to help with the volunteers.Attend the 3 hour classroom course on Friday and 1 hour hands-on "trail routing" course Saturday morning.
Mid West Mountain Bike Summit – by Jason Dew
Sign up for the summit. Register and get more information at: http://www.midwestmtbsummit.com/main/
Review of Equipment demos – by Jason Dew
Toro Dingo vs. Ditch Witch and more.
Other Trail Events – by Jennifer Bechte
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks April 16th at 3:30 p.m. in East Hills, at 910 Cherry St SE, to discuss redevelopment plans, including the Ball-Perkins charrette outcome. All invited to the GREEN WELL afterwards for Green Drinks at 5:15 p.m. http://www.greendrinksgr.org/
National Trail Day on June 6th at Luton Park Trail
NCT Epic Ride in October. Spots fill up fast. More info to come from Rick Plite.
11.0 Mid West Women’s Clinic – by Jennifer Bechtel
11.1 June 13th at Brown County State Park in Indiana.
11.2 Friday night Lights ride if interested. Meals provided Saturday.
11.3 Pay $45 pre-registration or $60 day-of.
11.4 http://www.midwestwomensclinic.com/
12.0 Next meeting: June 1, 2009
13. Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 p.m. by Jason Dew.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Western Chapter Calendar of Events
Western Chapter Calendar
Sunday 4/11/2009 Yankee Springs trail day
Saturday 4/18/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Sunday 4/19/2009 Yankee Springs Time Trial
Sunday 4/26/2009 Luton Park trail day and Ionia trail day
Saturday 5/2/2009 Cannnonsburg Ski Area trail day
Sunday 5/3/2009 Ionia trail day
Saturday 5/9/2009 Luton Park trail day
Saturday 5/16/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Fri-Sat-Sun May 29-30-31 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit in Grand Rapids
Saturday 6/6/2009 Luton Park trail day/ National Trails Day
Saturday 6/20/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Sunday 4/11/2009 Yankee Springs trail day
Saturday 4/18/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Sunday 4/19/2009 Yankee Springs Time Trial
Sunday 4/26/2009 Luton Park trail day and Ionia trail day
Saturday 5/2/2009 Cannnonsburg Ski Area trail day
Sunday 5/3/2009 Ionia trail day
Saturday 5/9/2009 Luton Park trail day
Saturday 5/16/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Fri-Sat-Sun May 29-30-31 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit in Grand Rapids
Saturday 6/6/2009 Luton Park trail day/ National Trails Day
Saturday 6/20/2009 Cannonsburg Game Area trail day
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Western MMBA Upcoming events
Western MMBA Upcoming events
Chapter meeting- A reminder that the Western Chapter has our meeting Monday April 6, 2009 630pm -730pm at Mangiamo! Grand Rapids, 1033 Lake Dr Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Yankee Springs Trail Day April 11th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the Deep Lake trailhead
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day April 18th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Yankee Springs Time Trial April 19, 2009 Racers start at 10:00am
GR Bike Summit Friday, April 24, 2009 8:30am-4:00pm
Luton Park Trail Day April 26th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the Kies Ave barn
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day May 16th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Midwest MTB Summit Friday, Saturday, Sunday May 28-31st
National Trail Day at Luton Park June 6, 2009 Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm Tools provided by the Western MMBA.
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day June 20th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Chapter meeting- A reminder that the Western Chapter has our meeting Monday April 6, 2009 630pm -730pm at Mangiamo! Grand Rapids, 1033 Lake Dr Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Yankee Springs Trail Day April 11th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the Deep Lake trailhead
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day April 18th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Yankee Springs Time Trial April 19, 2009 Racers start at 10:00am
GR Bike Summit Friday, April 24, 2009 8:30am-4:00pm
Luton Park Trail Day April 26th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the Kies Ave barn
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day May 16th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Midwest MTB Summit Friday, Saturday, Sunday May 28-31st
National Trail Day at Luton Park June 6, 2009 Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm Tools provided by the Western MMBA.
Cannonsburg State Gamearea Trail Day June 20th, 2009 Trail work starts at 9:00am-12:00pm, lunch and tools provided. Meet at the 4 Mile lot
Other groups to visit
Check out these groups- the Western MMBA partners with some of them, racers and riders interact with others, trailbuilders assist some of them as well:
Advocacy
Friends of Big M
Friends of Owasippe
Kent County Parks Foundation
League of Michigan Bicyclists
MI Trails + Greenways
North Country Trail
Rapid Wheelmen
West Michigan Coastal Riders
White Pine Trail
WM Trails+Greenways mountain bikeGeeride
IMBA
MMBA
NIMBA
Racing
Fun Promotions
Kisscross
MilkJug Racing
Tailwind
Advocacy
Friends of Big M
Friends of Owasippe
Kent County Parks Foundation
League of Michigan Bicyclists
MI Trails + Greenways
North Country Trail
Rapid Wheelmen
West Michigan Coastal Riders
White Pine Trail
WM Trails+Greenways mountain bikeGeeride
IMBA
MMBA
NIMBA
Racing
Fun Promotions
Kisscross
MilkJug Racing
Tailwind
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