Stocksdale and Walnut Woods Trail Opening

Well, I may have missed it due to vacation, but the trail opening was
a success. Sounds like 50+ people came out to see and enjoy the trail.

Angie from the Tribune was nice enough to forward some nice photos of
the event.

Trail Map 1.0

Thanks to Neale Shour we have a preliminary trail map:

.....and the Liberty Tribune

Public invited to grand opening at Stocksdale Park

By Angie Anaya Borgedalen

Thursday, June 5, 2008 1:30 AM CDT

In the early 1980s while living in Houston, Texas, Clay Lozier read an article about mountain biking and was hooked.

"At that time, you couldn't just go to a bike store and buy one. They had to special order one for me," said Lozier, who grew up in Liberty.

Within two years, Lozier said bike stores were carrying more of the sturdy, knobby-tire mountain bikes than they were of the more common road bikes. Lozier rides both types and owns two of each.

"I probably ride about four days a week," Lozier said. "I tend to ride my mountain bikes more between October and May."

But since he helped blaze a hiking and biking trail earlier this year between Stocksdale Park and Walnut Woods Conservation Area in east Liberty, Lozier may find himself on the trail more often.

He said it was important for people to use the 2.7-mile trail to keep it clear of growth, and with the grand opening of the trail set for Saturday, June 7, he said he hopes more people will learn about it. Eventually the trail will be about six miles long.

"This is truly a single-track, off-road trail with rocks and roots. It's for mountain bikes, trail runners and hikers," Lozier said. "It's not a smooth, paved trail."

Matthew Woody, who along with Lozier is a member of the Earth Riders Trails Association and also helped cut the trail with other volunteers, said he had been riding for about 10 years. Woody is the volunteer manager of the Stocksdale trail.

Instead of having to drive to Smithville Lake to ride his bike, Woody said he could now just ride from his house to the local trail head at Stocksdale.

"I also ride my bike to the Liberty Square and on errands. It cuts down a lot on my driving and conserves gas," Woody said. "As the word gets out, people will be able to ride from their homes to the trail. It's a good place to walk dogs, too."

After the 10:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting, Lozier said Paceline Products would be grilling hot dogs and providing soft drinks at 11:30 a.m., giving those in attendance a chance to walk or ride on the trail. Representatives from local bike stores, Biscari Brothers, The Wheel Cyclery and Cycle City, will also be there, he said.

Woody said it was important to follow proper etiquette when riding or hiking on a trail.

"A big local rule is don't ride when it's muddy, because that leads to trail erosion," Woody said.

The following rules come from the International Mountain Biking Association:

• Ride on open trails only; avoid trespassing on private land without permission.

• Leave no trace; pack out what you packed in.

• Control your bicycle; obey speed regulations.

• Always yield the trail; don't startle others; a friendly greeting or a bell is considerate.

• Never scare animals; use special care when passing horses.

• Plan ahead; know your equipment, your ability and the area you are riding.

Free food, camaraderie:

- What: Grand opening for hiking, biking trail 

- Where: Stocksdale Park, 901 S. LaFrenz Road 

- When: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 7 

- More information: 439-4360

From the KC Star:

Northland events mark National Trails Day

By DAVID KNOPF

The Kansas City Star

Northlanders can mark National Trails Day at several locations on Saturday and do it the old-fashioned way: By hiking, jogging or walking at a leisurely pace.

A new twist will be available beginning Saturday when the Earth Riders Trails Association and local enthusiasts cut the ribbon on a new mountain bike trail at Liberty's Stocksdale Park.

"We thought that would be an appropriate time to do this," said Clay Lozier, one of the organizers.

Ribbon-cutting for the new 2.75-mile trail will take place at 10:30 a.m., followed by a complimentary lunch of hot dogs, chips and soft drinks served by Paceline Products, a Pleasant Valley business that caters to bicyclists.

Several Northland bicycle shops also will be on hand Saturday, Lozier said.

Of course, the real highlight is for outdoor enthusiasts to try out the trail. It winds its way through city of Liberty property in Stocksdale Park and an adjoining tract owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"I have ridden it and it's very nice," Lozier said. "People are encouraged to hike, jog or ride their mountain bikes."

A trail expansion is already on the calendar. "Next fall, we'll get after it and hope to add another three miles to it," Lozier said.

Earth Riders volunteers developed the trail through agreements with Liberty and the Department of Conservation. The new mountain bike path offers enthusiasts a new option in eastern Clay County. The next closest dirt-path trails are at Smithville Lake and in Blue Springs, Lozier said.

Let's Have a Trail Opening!!

All,

Now that the work is done on the trail for the season we need to have a "Grand Opening" for the Stocksdale/Walnut Woods Hiking and Mt. Biking Trail.

June 7th at Stocksdale at 10:30 there will be a ribbon cutting!

Paceline Products will be there grilling dogs and providing drinks! (anticipate food around 11:30).

Biscari Brothers, The Wheel and Cycle City will be represented as well from what I hear.  

So, if you are a hiker, trail runner or mountain biker come on out and enjoy a great new trail in a beautiful park.  

We hope to see everyone there!

Directions at:    http://stocksdalewalnutwoods.blogspot.com/

Matt Woody

Another workday closer

We had another workday today to get closer to opening trail. A nice
day for benchcutting. Anne was out helping a little and watching
Clay's dog, Vince.

Hope to have the trail open by the end of May. Keeping fingers
crossed!!

Big Workday on April 12th!!

Well, we had a very successful workday today! 17 people showed up
on a lousy weather day (for April anyway). It actually made for some
decent work weather, even with ice pellets and
snow. We got a ton of benching done and are very close to have
rideable trail. Having such great volunteers is awesome.

What press!!

Today's Kansas City Star has an article about the trails!  O.k, so it is just in the Liberty insert in the Star, but hey it's still press.  

Seems there was a reporter at the last City Council meeting and heard about the project.  He contacted Clay the next day.  I think the article is pretty accurate.  

See the article here.

Workday Photos

Just a couple of  shots of the hard work on January 20th, 2008. 

Great to have such awesome volunteers creating trail for the commmunity.

Here is Clay in action with a rogue hoe.

Here is more of the motley crew we had out that day.   Trace, Andrew, John, Neil and Clay.  There were more that left before they were subjected to the camera.  As I recall, the temp was in the single digits to begin with in the morning.  It didn't take long to warm up though!!

The Scoop

Here's the scoop on these trails.   These trails are a cooperative effort between Earth Riders Trails Association, Missouri Department of Conservation and the City of Liberty.   They are located in Liberty and involve both city park property (Stocksdale Park) and MDC property (Walnut Woods).    

These trails are designed to be beginner friendly, but yet offer features that will appeal to the more advanced mt. biker.  They are excellent trails for hiking and trail running as well.  At this point in time the first phase of trails is nearing completion and we anticipate trail opening during the month of April 2008.   The ultimate hope is to have 6+ miles of trail within 2-3 years.