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Brushy Creek


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Wow. just wow. 
The reason for the closure was a property owner complaint to the County Commissioner, Terry Cook, commissioner1@wilco.org https://www.wilco.org/comm1
In the mtg y'day Wilco Parks and Rec director Russell Fishbeck 512-943-1922, Cell 512-409-1124 russell.fishbeck@wilco.org and Michael Young Supervisor 512-943-1923 michaelyoung@wilco.org advised Cullen and I that they intend to close this section of trail. They asked that we work with the local communities to help communicate, faciliate, and ultimately maintain the closure. We asked they give us advanced notice before doing so, in order to get communication out with dates, maps, description of the closure.
They agreed to give us a heads up before proceeding with the actual closure. 
They also were not interested in discussing an alternative route further from the houses. It was also clear they have no intention of allowing any future ARR development on their parks. 
With this latest development, including their willful deceit I am no longer going to continue to be the Trail Steward. I cannot continue to work with these folks, from day one they have made us feel like a thorn in their side. 
My decision is not a knee-jerk reaction, it's not based purely on this occurrence, and it is with extremely heavy heart (more than you can imagine) that I step away. 


Thank you and the other builders/stewards who have helped create and maintain these trails. I can definitively say that having these trails 10 minutes from my house has changed my life for the better and has drastically improved my health (mental health probably more so than physical).


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36 minutes ago, Browndog said:

Thank you and the other builders/stewards who have helped create and maintain these trails.
 

 

This is a great point.  @rugger, @First Blood, @HoneyBadger and all the other buttholes out there have poured a tremendous amount of energy and love into all the Brushy trails.  Just a few years ago there was NOTHING there except a few deer trails and couple of rogue paths.  Now, there is a world class trail system that has made the city of Cedar Park a destination.  Even if all the builders stepped away from those trails right now, I would still contend that they should never pay for a beer in this town again.  Wilco Parks and Rec will never understand exactly how lucky they were to have trails built FOR FREE that are enjoyable AND sustainable.  

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Up here around Fort Hood, Cedar Park is definitely known for its bike trails. I heard Copperas Cove was working on putting in a bike trail, and I know Harker Heights has a popular network, but a lot of guys up here have Cedar Park as a top destination for hitting the trails. Which then brings us to the local bike shops and restaurants.

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1 hour ago, Shotgun_Jeremy said:


...but a lot of guys up here have Cedar Park as a top destination for hitting the trails. Which then brings us to the local bike shops and restaurants.
 


That's a huge incentive for local government mangers getting onboard with a project. 

It's one thing to provide activity areas for local citizens... But this doesn't necessarily translate into additional spent dollars at local businesses. So when a destination draws in folks from outside the community, and they spend money with local businesses, that should get their attention.

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2 hours ago, CBaron said:

Fixed it for you.
-CJB

Nope, you did not. To me, the bigger issue is that current Wilco management seems to not longer support the trail system in general. Rugger - who initiated everything - seems highly ticked off. Maybe time that we stepped in and helped?

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26 minutes ago, TAF said:

Nope, you did not. To me, the bigger issue is that current Wilco management seems to not longer support the trail system in general. Rugger - who initiated everything - seems highly ticked off. Maybe time that we stepped in and helped?

Wheels are already in motion.

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1 hour ago, TAF said:

Nope, you did not. To me, the bigger issue is that current Wilco management seems to not longer support the trail system in general. Rugger - who initiated everything - seems highly ticked off. Maybe time that we stepped in and helped?

Yeah I get it and I agree.  I was just trying to make the point that if you (we) take the time to send over correspondence to the Wilco Mngmnt, make sure to express our affection (in a logical way) for the use of the trail that's being closed down.

-CJB

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Thanks to all of you that have worked on this trail system!

This trail has been a godsend for me.  I lost 20 pounds since finding this trail in 2014 and live a much healthier lifestyle now.  I pretty much quit mountain biking when Forrest Ridge was shut down and didn't think there would ever be another awesome trail in the NW Austin area.

And my riding style has resulted in many dollars being spent at local bike shops.  I have purchased three mountain bikes from local bike shops and spent thousands (locally) in maintenance and repairs since 2014.

Last Sunday I came across a group of young adults sitting in the middle of the trail near Ray's Collarbone. There was  a strong stench of pot, so I'm pretty sure they were looking for an isolated area.  They walked away after I told them they were in the middle of a mtb trail (not to derail the current topic, but their dog also bit my hand).  I guess they can go hang out in the newly closed section now that the mountain bikers won't be there to interrupt them.

Edited by JRIDER
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When I see posts like this from people running for office in Cedar Park, things start to make a little more sense. 😬

https://www.facebook.com/timkellyforcedarpark/posts/564460724154635

"One of my campaign issues was NO BIKE LANES in Cedar Park. It's a part of Austin WE DON'T want in Cedar Park. On top of that it is a safety hazard. If anyone is for bike lanes, DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM this election. Keep Leftist lunacy out of Cedar Park."

 

 

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On 3/3/2020 at 5:32 PM, rugger said:

With this latest development, including their willful deceit I am no longer going to continue to be the Trail Steward. I cannot continue to work with these folks, from day one they have made us feel like a thorn in their side. 

My decision is not a knee-jerk reaction, it's not based purely on this occurrence, and it is with extremely heavy heart (more than you can imagine) that I step away. 

Interesting question here.  Is it better to have trails and mountain bike associated with "bike lanes" and general cycling OR to have it associated with green space and parks?  It's hard to be against parks and green space.  Removing lanes from use by cars (99% of the voters) is probably a less popular platform to run on.

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On 3/4/2020 at 6:03 AM, HoneyBadger said:

Following the trail closure,  a plan of action is been formulated to strengthen the relationship between ARR and Williamson County Parks dept. The worst thing that can happen at the moment is for people to ignore the trail closure and keep riding it. No-one knows if that trail will be open again, but I can just about guarantee it won't if people keep using it. Think long term. If you see someone riding it explain their actions are making it more difficult to partner with Williamson County Parks dept.

Also, social media complaining is only going to make the situation worse. Local Land Managers do look at these forums, MTB facebook groups, and twitter to gather information about what's happening on the trails. I personally have had to apologize several times to a Land Manager for things mtber's (i've never met) have posted on line. 

Well said HoneyBadger.

It amazes me what some people think is OK. Riding closed trails is very high on the list to things that make us all look bad.

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To be honest, it annoys me more that one land owner (who doesn't own the land the trail is on) gets to dictate trail closures than all the people who use the public land.  There was zero reason to close that trail beyond 'Hey, I can see the rabble from my house! Begone!' unless I'm missing something.  The trail isn't even used that much.  They knew they bought against parkland, and should be expecting it to be used, not be their own private back yard.   

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5 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

This happens so much.  Many race tracks have been closed because people moved next door then complained of the noise.  My friend lives downtown right off 6th and he says neighbors are complaining about the noise from the clubs.  

Solution, let's start a go fund me, buy the guy out, and turn the house into a mid-ride party shack.  I really don't see how this could go wrong.

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1 hour ago, fontarin said:

To be honest, it annoys me more that one land owner (who doesn't own the land the trail is on) gets to dictate trail closures than all the people who use the public land.  There was zero reason to close that trail beyond 'Hey, I can see the rabble from my house! Begone!' unless I'm missing something.  The trail isn't even used that much.  They knew they bought against parkland, and should be expecting it to be used, not be their own private back yard.   

Zactly. It's like buying a house on a lake, then complaining about the boats.

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10 hours ago, radiantm3 said:

When I see posts like this from people running for office in Cedar Park, things start to make a little more sense. 😬

https://www.facebook.com/timkellyforcedarpark/posts/564460724154635

"One of my campaign issues was NO BIKE LANES in Cedar Park. It's a part of Austin WE DON'T want in Cedar Park. On top of that it is a safety hazard. If anyone is for bike lanes, DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM this election. Keep Leftist lunacy out of Cedar Park."

 

 

Thanks for posting. I let my guard down for 1 election and this piece of crap gets in office. I just left a friendly message on that facebook post.

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On 3/3/2020 at 2:08 PM, RidingAgain said:

Hate to say I said it would happen... But I did.

It's just how it is when there's the type of population growth that Austin's had. And the only way to try and curtail it — somewhat curtail it — is to get out in front of it with officially created alternate lines. That's something I pointed out way back on Mojo. I saw it happen in South Florida in the late '90s, early '00s... And that was mainly just with South Floridians who got into mountain biking, and maybe a little bit of outdoor urban hikers.

And no, I haven't cut a single alternate line on any trail, nor have I encouraged anyone to do so. It's just what I knew from experience would happen.

Fuck off. What an asshole thing to say. You've waited 3 years since Mojo to say I told you so that other assfucks like yourself would cut B lines? Stay classy Flordia man.  And here you try to get a magazine going and attract more assholes to cut B lines and help the local economy sell burgers. What a fucking TOOL!

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28 minutes ago, TheX said:

At least he's predictable. 

This is the worst though. He makes Mr The Cat Lady looks like Moses on high. When will the mods weed this guy out? I'm ready to run piano wire all over SATN right now but I'm pretty sure the only two things he ever rides are a keyboard and donkey dicks. Fn training bra bike bastard. Whenever I'm about to run someone off the road for driving like a jerk, or ready to punch a baby in the face on a plane for screaming I stop and think how much worse Riding Again is and calm the fuck down. And the worst thing is watch him come on here and give a line by line rebuttal to my posts like he likes to, like a living insult to all the fn Barneys in the world. Truly puts the C.U.N.T. in community. SMGDMFH.

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