GROC Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists

We were honored to receive  this proclamation, which was read aloud in front of the full legislature before the session on Tuesday night began. Dan Quatro and Debbie Draw authored the proclamation recognizing GROC for our volunteer efforts and contributions to our parks.
 
This is a far cry from our last attendance at the legislature meeting where the simple idea of shared-use trails allowing mountain bike access was HOTLY contested and a very polarizing topic.  This is really a huge accomplishment for all of the people who have advocated and participated to make this Pilot Program a reality.  This is just AWESOME !!!
 
GROC President Jonathan Brown and Board members Mark and Mary Lee Rosenzweig, Adam Reitz and Russ Wait gladly accepted the honer for our members. Also there to support GROC were Dave Rinaldo and Mark Quinn from the Monroe County Parks department.

GROC would like to say a special thanks to legislators Dan Quatro and Debbie Draw for their recognition and support. We especialy want to thank Dave Rinaldo and Mark Quinn for all of their help in working with the volunteers and the great job they have done to renovate parking areas, trail access improvements and signage in Tryon Park and West Bay Park.

All in all an amazing few years and some much deserved recognition for all of you who have advocated and participated in the efforts to bring more shared-use trails to our area.

Remember to say thanks to the Monroe County Parks Department and your supporting legislators who helped us in these efforts.

Jonathan Brown
President

GROC Honored by Department of Human Services – GROC will be accepting an “ Outstanding Asset Builder “ Award on Oct 1st we ere nominated for this award by Mike Cooper the Penfield's Director of Parks and Recreation. The Asset Builder Award recognizes those who who donate their time in an effort to encourage our youth in leading positive healthy lives. The award will be given at the Zoo at 11am on Oct 1st.

I would like to personally thank Adam Reitz who as a GROC board member is the chair of the Youth Education Committee for GROC. Adam has developed the SingleTrack Academy program which has had over 100 young adults through the program. GROC Singletrack Academy is an educational summer program for young riders. Over the course of eight weeks, the comprehensive program teaches participants to become better riders, but also seeks to instill in young riders positive attitudes about themselves, their community, and the environment.

All of the positive efforts put into the community by our board, volunteers, and families is being recognized, not only by those who use the trails but those land managers and community organizations. Shared- Use trails absolutely have an impact that extends beyond mountain bikers.

Thank you again for your efforts and support

Sincerely

Jonathan Brown
President GROC

We were very privileged to have the Subaru IMBA Trail Crew join us in Rochester for 3 days of Training and presentations on Sustainable Trail Building. Even better we got 2 Trail crews, Steve & Morgan Lommele and Jake Carten and Jenny Abraham really put on a fun and full three days.

The Subaru IMBA Trail Crew goes around the country visiting local areas and working with IMBA clubs to train and teach trail building techniques and even more than than help Clubs like our to be the best possible advocacy groups within our communities. These crews come with years of knowledge being out in the field and working on every conceivable trail type and with all kinds of clubs big and small.

The three days started with a Land Manager Presentation on Thursday that focused on how clubs and communities can work with land mangers and build and maintain sustainable trails for all user groups. GROC has been working with the Monroe County Parks department from the beginning of our 18 month trial program in Tryon and West Bay and its was great to see many of the local parks managers and administrators from several towns in attendance. Larry Staub, Dave Renaldo and Mark Quinn were all in attendance along with many park land managers.

Day 2 IMBA Trail Crew worked with GROC representatives to assess the new trail that was proposed in Tryon park to replace and existing trail that is in bad shape and a fall line trail that is has grown worse every year.

Saturday the crew put on a 3 hour training class that dove deeper into sustainable trail practices and techniques for building trails that will enhance the trail experience for all user groups. We had about 20 people from local GROC members and representatives from Monroe County Parks and Forestry service.

The field work on Saturday afternoon resulted in 350 feet of trail in Tryon Park that will be the model for all new trail projects done within the two Pilot program parks. This trail will be completed by volunteers over the next few months. GROC is really excited that the local Parks departments took the time to join this great educational experience and all that attended walked away with a allot of new knowledge and understand of how to build truly sustainable trail for all user groups.

GROC would like to thank all of the people who took the time to join the IMBA trail crew and these kinds of events will really help make our local trails better for everyone who uses them.

THANKS IMBA TRAIL CREW Steve & Morgan Lommele's and Jake Carten's and Jenny Abraham's

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Irondequoit Bay Park West and Tryon Park now host shared-use trails

County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced that Monroe County has begun an 18-month pilot program for shared-use trails, to assess the effect of off-road bicycling on non-paved pathways. Trails in two Monroe County Parks have been designated to host the pilot: Irondequoit Bay Park West and Tryon Park. Bicycles will be allowed on specified off-road trails located in these two Parks, only. Bicycling remains restricted to road shoulders, bike paths and other designated paved surfaces in all other County Parks.

“The most recent Park Master Plan, approved by the County Legislature in 2009, recommended a study of shared-use trails, designed for both hikers and off-road bicyclists, be conducted in Irondequoit Bay Park West and Tryon Park,” said Brooks. “With extensive public input, the County has developed a pilot program that embraces the goals of user safety, environmental conservation and quality experience. We look forward to closely monitoring this new program and evaluating the results.”

For the pilot program Monroe County Parks’ staff and volunteers designed and constructed or improved shared-use trails in Irondequoit Bay Park West (five miles) and Tryon Park (three miles), using sustainable trail practices. Trail heads have been established and informational kiosks display trail system maps, trail designations, trail difficulty and rules. All trails have been blazed to correspond with mapping.

In order for the trail systems to be enjoyable for everyone, user safety is a top priority. All bicyclists are required to wear helmets and must yield to hikers. Bicycling is also restricted to designated shared-use trails and is not allowed on footpaths or other non-designated areas. Individuals participating in off-road bicycling should do so at their own risk. Trails will be patrolled by volunteer members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol.

The Monroe County Parks Department will monitor the effects of shared-usage

throughout the pilot program, conducting evaluations every three months. Trail evaluations will use base-line data at known GPS reference points at regular predetermined intervals to assess changes to trail conditions. Additional criteria will include user conflicts, adherence to rules and impacts on other County Parks that are not part of the pilot program.

An outline of the Shared-Use Pilot Program, as well as trail system maps for Irondequoit Bay Park West and Tryon Park are available at: www.monroecounty.gov/parks <www.monroecounty.gov/parks>