As many of you know, Keith is a talented and passionate mountain biker. So it only makes sense that Summit is teaming up with CORP trails. This week I spoke with Alice, the executive director or CORP trails, to learn all about this organization. Read what she has to say about how CORP Trails is building and maintaining movement opportunities in Madison.
What is CORP Trails?
CORP Trails is an outdoor recreation nonprofit organization that focuses on mountain biking to get people outside and build community. The mission is to create a vibrant community of mountain biking in south-central Wisconsin.
CORP Trails is a member-powered community of riders, builders, volunteers, and advocates working to create and care for the trails we all love. Together, we maintain more than 80 miles of single track across 20 locations in south-central Wisconsin. We also teach skills on and off the bike, and bring people together through group rides, clinics, and events.
To maintain our trails, we have a network of more than 40 trail stewards who are responsible for maintaining, improving, and expanding their trail systems. In addition, 100s of volunteers regularly work with our stewards to make sure our trails are in top condition for riders.
What Inspired Alice to Become Involved with CORP Trails?
If you told me 10 years ago that I would fall in love with mountain biking, I would have said you were crazy! I have always loved being outside; cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, sailing, and visiting as many National Parks as possible. But biking was never a favorite until 2019, when my sons were on our school’s mountain bike team. My husband became a coach, and I started volunteering. I realized that if I wanted to spend time with my family, I would have to learn to ride. Before I knew it, I was a coach, too, getting out on trails as much as possible. What I love most about mountain biking is the community and the friends I am making.
When the position of Executive Director for CORP Trails came up, I knew this would be a perfect way to bring my non-profit program management experience to an organization I felt passionate about! As Executive Director of CORP Trails, I oversee day-to-day operations, programs, fundraising initiatives, and building partnerships with volunteers and community members. I also collaborate with board members, committees, and other amazing volunteers to ensure our strategic plan and mission to create a vibrant mountain biking community becomes a reality.
A Special Project
We are currently building a new bike park at the Quarry Ridge Trails in Fitchburg. The bike park will feature progressive jump-line features that allow riders to build confidence and advance their abilities. This will take part alongside beginner-friendly skills lines for young riders and those newer to mountain biking. The park will be a free, public facility designed for riders of all ages and abilities. Like a playground or skatepark, it will provide an engaging environment where people can develop skills, challenge themselves, and have fun outdoors.
This bike park has been a dream of our trail stewards for more than 5 years. They have been working diligently with the City of Fitchburg to gain all the approvals and community support needed to turn their dream into reality. We are beyond thrilled that the park is about halfway complete, and we expect to fully open next spring.
Challenges with Developing or Maintaining Trail Systems
One of the biggest challenges is finding the right people to champion and steward each trail system. Our trail stewards are an amazing group. They do much more than day-to-day maintenance to keep trails ride-able. They organize volunteer work groups, build strong relationships with land managers, envision what their trails could become, and find ways to turn those ideas into reality.
Every one of our trail systems could benefit from more people willing to take on these leadership roles. CORP Trails can provide resources, training, equipment, and support, but ultimately, great trails need dedicated people who are willing to take ownership and help them thrive.
How You Can Get Involved
Just show up to a workday! You don’t need any trail-building experience to get started. Our experienced trail stewards will explain what needs to be done and show you how to do it. Depending on the day, you might help rebuild a trail feature, improve the trail surface, or even create a new section of trail.
One of our biggest ongoing needs is simply keeping trails clear and ride-able. If you can use a weed whacker or a pair of loppers to cut back weeds and brush, you can make a huge difference! Reach out to the trail steward at your favorite trail to find out how you can help.
If working in the dirt isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. CORP Trails committees are where big ideas take root. We’re always looking for trail-minded people to help with trail development and operations, events, communications, finance, and more. Send us an email at info@corptrails.org, and we’ll help find a volunteer opportunity that matches your interests, skills, and available time.
Exciting Projects Moving Forward
We’re especially excited about bringing more mountain biking opportunities to the east side of Madison. Right now, there are relatively few places on the east side where people can easily access natural-surface trails by bike. So expanding opportunities in this area could make a real difference for the local community.
We’re currently working with Madison College and GE HealthCare to develop trail opportunities on their properties. These projects have the potential to bring mountain biking closer to where people live, work, and go to school and create new places for people to get outside and ride.
There’s still work to be done before these trails are ready to open, but we’re excited about what’s coming. Keep an eye on the CORP Trails website and social media for updates as these projects move forward!
Courtney Wetzel (and Alice)