Cleveland Metroparks is celebrating National Trails Day with the opening of a new mountain bike/hike trail in Bedford Reservation on Saturday, June 7. The new nine mile trail features a series of loops extending from the paved all purpose trail. Beginner riders can practice on the shorter loops while more experienced riders can use all the loops.
Because this trail will be shared by bikers, hikers and runners, bikes will flow one way while those on foot will go in the opposite direction. Bike riders should be aware that sections of the mountain bike/hike trail briefly share the bridle trail. Horses always have the right of way and bicyclists must stop to let them pass.
Cleveland Metroparks volunteer trail builders worked hundreds of hours along with Cleveland Metroparks staff to build this new trail. Many of the bridges on the trail were constructed using fallen trees taken from throughout the Park District. The new mountain bike/hike trail is currently nine miles long and an additional mile and a half will be completed later this year. This last section will connect to Summit Metro Parks' Bike & Hike Trail and the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Cleveland Metroparks mountain bike trails are closed to all users when it's wet and muddy in order to protect the trail surface and prevent rutting, widening and erosion.
Cleveland Metroparks trail system is one of Greater Cleveland's greatest assets and includes more than 270 miles of trails throughout the Park District's nearly 23,000 acres. Approximately 70 percent of park visitors have indicated that trails are the primary reason they visit one of Cleveland Metroparks 18 reservations.
Visit
clevelandmetroparks.com for information regarding trail alerts, to make a
donation to the Trail Fund or to become a trail maintenance volunteer.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
SUE ALLEN - 216-635-3338, sja@clevelandmetroparks.com
HOLLY KECK - 216-635-3253, hak@clevelandmetroparks.com
