The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Recreation (DCR) Recreational Trail Building Grant. This “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant will engage people from all of the communities along the South Coast to take part in a series of workshops. These workshops will be taught by Peter S. Jensen & Associates.
The SCBA asks those who register for these free workshops pledge to volunteer one hour of service on the South Coast Scenic Greenway or other SCBA project in exchange for each hour of classroom hour attended.
Join Westport Land Conservation Trust, South Coast Bikeway Alliance and Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC for a two-day
wetland crossing workshop at Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area (1520 Main Road).
The workshop will cover the ins and outs of permitting, designing and building footbridges for pedestrian traffic over streams, wetlands and waterways. Participants will take part in the hands-on construction of two 12-foot wooden footbridges over Dunham’s Brook—one of the largest freshwater tributaries to the west branch of the Westport River. The footbridges will serve as the main pedestrian access trail to over two miles of hiking trails at the 159-acre Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area.
“WLCT is very excited to partner with the Town and with South Coast Bikeway Alliance to improve the robust trail system at Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area,” said WLCT’s executive director Ross Moran. “We hope this project encourages hikers to explore the trails and get inspired by the beauty of Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area!”
With this grant funding, SCBA have retained professional trail builder Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC to lead the two-day instructional workshop. “This funding allows members of the public to complete the workshop free of charge,” said SCBA president Bob Espindola. “The workshop is a great opportunity for hobbyists and for those interested in professional development.”
Tools, supplies and certified instructors will be provided.
Advance registration is required for this program—no exceptions. To register, please email Brendan@WestportLandTrust.org.
Space is limited! This event is free and open to the public.
News
Trail Building Workshop #2: Trail Stewardship & Basic Skills
| Trail Stewardship and Basic Skills Training Workshop #2 Saturday, October 28 & Sunday October 29 8 am – 4:30/5:00 pm This two-day workshop will focus on exploring the fundamentals of sustainable trail layout and design as specifically applied to tread and drainage structures for up to 10 participants. A basic understanding of hillside hydrology, how trails should work, developing trail eyes, structural options, construction tactics, proper pruning techniques for woody plants, restoration of damaged trails, and prioritizing maintenance through trail triage will be the basis for this workshop. Participants will demonstrate trail stewardship skills by applying knowledge learned thru hands on demonstration throughout the workshop. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructor on how to improve construction techniques. |
Workshop #2 resulted in the setting of stairs on the DNRT Ridge Hill Reserve trail off Copicut RD in Dartmouth. A special thank you to all who volunteered, DNRT for providing the site, project and materials, DCR for awarding SCBA the Educational Grant and Erin and Carl from Peter S. Jensen and Associates for their instruction.
Trail Building Workshop #1: Sustainable trail layout & design
Sustainable Trail Layout and Design Workshop # 1
Saturday, October 21 8 am – 4:30/5:00 pm
This one-day workshop will focus on sustainable trail layout and design for natural surface trails and include both classroom and field time for up to 10 participants. A typical discussion around what is a sustainable trail will cover trail construction techniques including; out sloped tread, sustainable grades, frequent grade reversals, erosion resistance, a path that traverses along the side slope, provision for sheet flow of runoff, positive user experiences and low maintenance. Also known as the 8 Sustainable Solutions. This workshop will field test these concepts and give the participants hands on experience using a variety of layout and design tools. Each participant will layout a trail line as part of the class. We will then evaluate that trail line, making sure that all the sustainable solution concepts are addressed to the best of our abilities, and make improvements based on real time feedback.
Pedal for the Path – 2018
Thank You!! Our first ever bike ride fundraiser, Pedal for the Path, was a great success! We look forward to the 2nd Annual Pedal for the Path!
A letter of thanks…
Dear Readers,
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance would like to thank the 65 riders, 40+ volunteers and many supporters of our first annual Pedal for the Path Fundraiser bike ride, held on Sunday, September 16, 2018. The ride was established to raise funds for the completion of the South Coast Bikeway, specifically the missing connection between New Bedford and Fall River.
The South Coast Bikeway, once realized, will be a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths (or multi-use paths) and bike lanes that will connect Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Cities and towns included in this plan are Swansea, Somerset, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Wareham.
We would like to thank our host venue, Running Brook Vineyards, our ice cream sponsors: Annies Ice Cream Shack, Silverbrook Farmof Acushnet, and Acushnet Creameryat Pier 3, and The Head Town Landing Country Store for providing donuts for all of our riders. A special thank you to Kim Camara of Yesteryear Cyclery, Inc. for providing support for the bicyclists before and along the route. Thank you to the Dartmouth Rotary for providing much needed nourishment along the route and at the finish. Thank you also to Moby Dick Brewing Co., Native Brands CompanyWater, Sylvia GroupInsurance, B4 Printing, Lafrance Hospitality and the United Way of Greater New Bedford.
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is working to connect our communities with improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. For more information about our organization and how you might get involved please visit southcoastbikeway.com.
With gratitude,
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance
Trail Building Wokshops grant
SCBA Trail Building Workshops
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Recreation (DCR) Recreational Trail Building Grant. This “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant will engage people from all of the communities along the South Coast to take part in a series of workshops. These workshops will be taught by Peter S. Jensen & Associates.
The SCBA asks those who register for these free workshops pledge to volunteer one hour of service on the South Coast Scenic Greenway or other SCBA project in exchange for each hour of classroom hour attended.
Learn more and register your interest in participating in the Trail Building Workshops #1 & #2 below. Workshop #3 will occur in spring 2018. Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis with preference to residents of the South Coast Bikeway communities. This is a regionally focused grant and the participants should show a good representation of the region.