By John McLoone

PRESCOTT – There's go –

ing to be a lot of new move – ment in Prescott parks, both on two legs and two wheels.

The Prescott Parks and Public Property Commit –

tee Monday night forward ed a recommendation to the Prescott City Council for approval of a memorandum of understanding with Free – dom Park and the Coulee River Trails Committee. The committee also put its stamp of approval on that organi – zation's plan for a mountain bike skills course in Magee Park.

The Coulee River Trails group works under the aus – pices of the Freedom Park organization with executive director Israel Haas provid – ing much of the guidance for the trail planning.

Magee Park is set to be the location of the trailhead for the planned Coulee Riv- er Trails System, which will run through Prescott and Oak Grove. Planning and grant-writing for the trail system is well underway, as are plans for a new Magee Park. Goats have been hard

See PRESCOTT PARKS, Page 12

A rider navigates the Whitetail Ridge Trail in River Falls. The Coulee Trails organization plans a similar mountain bike skills course in Magee Park. Photo courtesy of City of River Falls Prescott parks

from Page 1

at work at Magee Park already, clearing thickets of buckthorn and other invasive weeds.

The memorandum of understanding only covers CRT activities in Prescott, and the agreement will last in perpetuity, unless either side wishes to cancel it.

The memorandum and bike course will be reviewed by the city council at its meeting Monday, Aug. 22.

The memorandum covers things like land ownership (city retains ownership unless conveyed to the trail group), corridors and the need for CRT and Freedom Park to have insurance coverage for volunteers working on the trail system.

The agreement also stipulates that city approval is required before the organization seeks funding assistance for development, design or marketing of trails on city property.

Parks and Public Property Committee members had no concerns with the memorandum of understanding.

They also were on board with the mountain bike skills course proposal. The plan was previously ovcially ap proved as part of the Magee Park Concept Plan approved in the spring.

The project will cost the city nothing and is meant to be a place for young riders – Haas said from elementary school through high school – to learn the sport of mountain biking.

CRT will utilize volunteer labor, machinery, materials and supplies to develop the course in the area of the existing quarry in the park.

The project will include clearing and grading the quarry for the trail over a half-acre piece of land. The area will have clay brought in and clean fill where nec essary. Lumber planks, limestone blocks and other items will be used for features and obstacles for riders to traverse in the park.

“Our vision is to protect a nationally significant habitat as a nature preserve and promote outdoor activity by creating a trail system to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to explore and enjoy the con- fluence region," the proposal from the CRT group states.

The committee reviewed pictures of components of the course, which will be similar to a course in River Falls.

“The pictures we gave you are from a similar skills course in River Falls that’s on city property, managed by a non-profit like us," said Haas. “What we’re proposing is similar. We’re intending to do this entirely free of charge to the city.”

The CRT has “expert mountain bike coaches” on board, said Haas.

“This is for people just getting into mountain biking,” he said.

Committee member Pat Knox joked that he could try the sport.

“I’ll trade in my banana seat for something else,” he said.

Committee chair Bailey Ruona asked the timeline, and Haas said the committee is ready to get to work.

“The idea for the skills park is that would be a quick hit to let the community see something happening at Magee Park,” he said. “This isn’t just a concept here. We want to attract people from the region. People will see this is a nice place to raise a family.”

Redevelopment of the city end of Magee Park is coming in future years. A parking area was proposed where city recycling dumpsters now stand. Those could be moved to near the city public works complex.

“We would have to put up some basic signage. Once the skills park is open we’ll have to have very clear signage about helmets and that kind of thing,” said Haas.

“I have no concerns,” said Ruona.