THE FOUNTAINHEAD PROJECT - PROJECTS (BOKEN DOWN)

Project Area 1

Segment 1 – The entrance to the black loop. This segment starts at the area commonly referred to as the picnic tables. As the entrance point to the most difficult trail section in the park our design and build team feels it is best to construct a qualifier feature that will clearly represent the nature of the trail beyond that point. Prior to the feature, riders will encounter signage attached to inform trail users of the challenges associated with the trail that lies ahead. will force riders to pass through a gateway where proper The feature will also require riders to navigate a challenging obstacle immediately upon entering the black trail to further reinforce that point. This gateway feature is designed with sections of fencing on either side to eliminate the option of riding around the entrance and signs, please see attached graphic rendering for a general idea of our concept.

Upon navigating the entrance qualifier riders will immediately be met with a steep technical climb that features wooden boardwalks, wooden climbing turns, terraces, and short steep wooden pitches. Our design utilizes the steepest available sidehill, natural choke points and existing rock outcroppings to provide riders with a challenging climb. Additionally placing the tread on steep terrain allows us as builders to construct rock features and TTF’s in the trail with the least opportunity for riders to create ride arounds to avoid trail challenges. Segment 1 climbs aggressively northeast towards the northern boundary of the equestrian trail system utilizing the best terrain and providing great views of the lower drainage and giving riders the feeling of technical exposure associated with an advanced level trail.

Segment 2 – After the initial climb out of the picnic table area the trail continues east along the upper edge of the drainage that divides the MTB trail from the equestrian trail. This area has great sidehill and provides an excellent canvas for an advanced singletrack climb due to the exposure and tight corridor provided by the laurel understory; we plan to keep corridor trimming as minimal as possible in these areas to keep a tight tunnel like feel for trail users. About half way through the climb our design rejoins the existing trail for about 75’ and contours around a drainage then heads downhill to the north out to the nose of a small ridge where we plan to install a bermed turn with a wooden wallride for more advanced users which will send riders back uphill to finish the climb. Soon the terrain flattens out considerably and we have opted in our design to rehabilitate a short section of the existing trail by adding drainage features such as grade reversals and tread nicks as well as grading to re-establish outslope.

Segment 3 – The final segment of project area 1 consists of the climb up to the access road from Port Charlotte following that for a short distance then bearing right back into singletrack. After entering the singletrack the trail crosses a drainage that catches a good deal of runoff draining from the Port Charlotte access road and bridle path. Our design follows the existing trail but includes a 75’ rolling boardwalk (see attached graphic) and then turns left, after exiting the boardwalk our design follows the existing trail and climbs up to an area of large quartz rock. Between the rolling boardwalk and the rocky area we plan to install grade reversals and tread nicks as needed to mitigate the current erosion issues. We chose to rehab this section because it was the best way to access the rocky area in the current trail. This area is close to the stone depot, has already been disturbed and provides a great location for the installation of a technical rock garden for advanced users and a ride around which is now the current trail. Upon exiting the proposed rock garden we follow the existing trail mitigating drainage issues for a short distance until we arrive at the end of project area 1.

Project Area 2

Segment 1 – Project area 2 starts from the bypass road located to the south east of the port-charlotte equestrian parking area. The existing trail has a good alignment and uses the natural terrain well so our team has opted to rehab approximately 900’ of trail with drainage features such as grade reversals and tread nicks. We also will add inslope and outslope where it is beneficial for the riding experience and sustainability.

Segment 2 – This section is a re-route that capitalizes on the steeper terrain to the southwest. This area has excellent topography due to natural drainages which provide excellent opportunities for natural berms and rises creating a great landscape for a tight flowy trail that capitalizes on the terrain without excessive excavation. In this area we plan to cross an especially incised drainage by constructing a wooden boardwalk/berm feature (see attached graphic rendering), this will be an excellent feature for both advanced riders and intermediates due to design which welcomes a fast or slow riding style to provide safety for any trail user. We plan to incorporate optional kicker features into the tread and backslope throughout this section where applicable for more advanced riders. In addition this re-route gains approximately 2030’ of new advanced trail and eliminates only 200’ of flat trail near the old moonshine barrels (or whatever they are) adding distance and challenge to the trail. The next section of segment 2 follows the existing trail to the start of project 3, we plan to rehab this section of trail and provide grade reversals /tread nicks that support flow and optimize both the rider experiences and tread sustainability.

Segment 3 – Segment 3 of project area 2 begins at the terminus of the Project 3 which approaches a popular climb for trail regulars called lung buster hill. Our design does include a re-route of lung buster due to the unsustainable nature of the climb. However we are aware how popular the climb is with many local riders and realize the backlash of eliminating it. Thus if MORE and NVRPA feel the better option is to keep LB and improve it with terraces, grades reversals, and other erosion control measures our team is open to alternatives. However for the most part we feel that our re-route of LB will provide a longer and more sustainable climb by installing terraces and other challenges throughout the uphill.

Project Area 3

Segment 1 – The first segment of project 3 peels off of the existing segment 2 of project area 2, and climbs gradually for approximately 500’. Upon reaching the end of segment 1 trail users will have the option of dropping into segment 2 off a black level terrace with transition, or taking a well marked ride around.

Segment 2 – After dropping (or rolling) into segment the trail descends into a natural dry drainage with bermed turns on both sides and sections of cambered boardwalk or turf stone pavers armoring the bottom. After multiple berms riders will pop up and out of the drainage across a g-out boardwalk and begin a steep terraced climb up and out to a nose providing great views and steep sidehill.

Segment 3 – After riders pop out of the g-out boardwalk and climb up the terraced uphill they will be rewarded with one of the best views throughout the trail system as they look over the reservoir. Past the overlook the trail heads east traversing extremely steep sidehill, at this point on the trail our team has designed a boardwalk with railings that hangs off the side of the hill we call refer to in the bid worksheets as a catwalk. This is a highly engineered feature designed to provide a safe and exciting rider experience by giving the feeling of riding on the edge while mitigating the risks associated with building a trail on a slope this steep with a drop to the reservoir below. Once past the sections with extreme exposure our design returns to natural surface trail and contours along the sidehill where it meets another 75’ narrow and cambered boardwalk ending at the intersection with section 3 of project 2. Overall Project 3 adds nearly 3000’ of new trail and only eliminates approximately 500’.

Additionally, our team reviewed the additional terrain farther south where the bridle path was said to limit our boundary and found great terrain for trail. However access was very limited due to deep drainages which would require extensive boardwalk construction to cross, thus we opted to avoid those areas in our initial proposal due to cost. That being said our team is willing to explore the option of reaching those aspects if it is desired by the client, and we are more than capable of providing efficient solutions to reach those goals.

Project Area 4

Segment 1 – The first portion of project Area 4 replaces 1500’ of existing trail with 3480’ of new trail which capitalizes on steeper sidehill located to the southeast on a peninsular nose that extends into the reservoir. This terrain is steep and provides spectacular views, our design includes a long technical downhill where we plan to install a jump line with multiple features leading to a hard and technical right hand turn at the end of the nose which sends riders back up a long climb with multiple terraces to lessen the tread angle for sustainability and provide a challenge for trail users. Due to the steep side slope riders are less likely to ride around obstacles reducing trail widening. Upon exiting the section of trail on the peninsula our design takes riders up a winding climb heading northeast for nearly another 1000’ of climbing and adding nearly 2000’ of new trail.

Segment 2 – The middle segment of project 4 meets the old trail and follows it for a very short distance in which we will install drainage features to improve the original alignment. Next we leave the existing trail and follow another section of completely new trail for 3258’ climbing on sidehill to avoid a low area that stays wet more often than the rest of the trail and regularly flows around a volunteer built bridge onto the trail tread.

Segment 3 – The metrics we included in this segment are provided to mitigate drainage issues located in two small segments of existing trail which we plan to re-use between and after or 2 proposed re-routes.

Project Area 5

Segment 1 – The majority of Project area 5 is located on the flattest terrain encountered within the black loop. Segment 1 of this project area is a downhill section starting from the lower end of the Port Charlotte access/bypass. It has good flow and is generally in good shape compared to the other 2 segments. Due to this we have opted to rehab much of this section by adding drainage features like grade reversals and tread nicks to increase sustainability of the tread. Additionally, due to the low angle of terrain in this segment we spec multiple rock features and wooden TTF’s.

Segment 2 – This is our only re-route of project area 5 involving the construction of approximately 1130’ of new trail and the closure of only 200’. The additional trail descends to the southwest capitalizing on the steeper slopes found closer to the reservoir and wraps around the shoreline before crossing the old trail and climbing back northeast towards the picnic area.

Segment 3 – The final segment of project area 5 is very short and consists primarily of a stone armored drainage crossing. Located approximately 100’ uphill of the current trail where the black loop returns to the picnic area is a large amount of native stone slabs in the drainage. This is where our design crosses capitalizing on the local stone to build with and closing the heavily eroded lower section of the return trail. We plan to use the stone to armor a technical crossing and anchor the last part of the trail to keep users on course as they drop down a few stone terraced features on their way back to the blue loop. This design also eliminates the problematic 2 way section currently located at the base of the hill where the black loop begins.

Project Area 1

Project 1: Green Trail Relocation; Upper Slopes

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of upper slopes portion of the green trail to improve sustainability & experience and increase length. New singletrack will seamlessly blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse steep slopes around the upper reaches of deeply incised drainages. Passes in close proximity to the park’s well. Corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: Current alignment has moderate sustainability issues and does not take advantage of available terrain. Fall-line segment adjacent to trailhead captures runoff from impervious surface.

Prescription: 3,600 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include: turf stone paver armored tread, two constructed turns. Close approx 1,625 feet of obsolete tread. Add a significant grade reversal close to trailhead to divert runoff from impervious surfaces. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 3,600 feet

Project 2: Green Trail Relocation; Lower Slopes

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of lower slopes portion of the green trail to improve sustainability & experience. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse steep slopes in close proximity of the shoreline; installation of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. A short stretch of the corridor crosses a broad swale that may be wet for periods of the year. Corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: Sections of the current alignment have severe sustainability issues. Extended stretches extend into the Water Authority easement for the reservoir.

Prescription: 3,700 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include: a swale crossing with turf stone paver armored tread, four terraces to address a required steep grade, six constructed turns. Installation of approx 500 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Close approx 2,100 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 3,700 feet

Project 3: Blue Trail Relocation; Salamander Hill

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation along the blue trail beyond Salamander Switchback to improve sustainability & experience and increase length. New singletrack will seamless blend into existing singletrack.

Concern: Current alignment has moderate sustainability issues, does not take advantage of available terrain, and passes in close proximity to significant archeological resources.

Prescription: 1,100 feet of new contour trail across moderate side slopes; upper reaches of corridor traverses a locally-significant boulder field. Required elements include two constructed turns. Close approx 400 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 1,100 feet

Project 4: Blue Trail Relocation; Jack Rabbit Run

Scope of Work: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of the Jack Rabbit Run portion of the blue trail to improve sustainability & experience and increase length. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse steep slopes in close proximity to, then cross, a running stream; installation of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. New bridge required for stream crossing. As it approaches Skinny Hollow the corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: Current alignment has severe sustainability issues and does not take advantage of available terrain.

Prescription: 3,500 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include: four terraces to address a required steep grade, eight constructed turns. Installation of approx 100 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Installation of a required bridge is the responsibility of the Client. Close approx 1,520 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 3,500 feet

Project 5: Blue Trail Relocation; Skinny Hollow

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of blue trail where it exits Skinny Hollow to improve sustainability. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse slopes in close proximity to, then cross, a running stream; installation of straw wattle will be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Realignment of an existing bridge will be required.

Concern: Current alignment has moderate sustainability issues.

Prescription: 725 feet of new contour trail. Installation of approx 75 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Realignment of an existing bridge. Close approx 400 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 725 feet

Project 6: Blue Trail Relocation; Skunk & Opossum

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of a significant section of the blue trail traversing Skunk Ascent & Opossum Poke Hill to improve sustainability & experience and increase length. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse steep slopes through the middle and upper reaches of deeply incised drainages. Where traversing drainages close to the shoreline installation of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. The corridor crosses a number of drainages at points where they may be wet for periods of the year. One short bridge may be required due to severity of drainage incision. Corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: Portions of the current alignment have severe sustainability issues. Also it does not take advantage of available terrain.

Prescription: 6,650 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include seven constructed turns. Installation of approx 300 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. If necessary, installation of the bridge is the responsibility of the Client. Close approx 2,570 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 6,650 feet

Project 7: Blue Trail Relocation; Shock-A-Billy Approach

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of the blue trail as it approaches Shock-A-Billy Hill to improve sustainability. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: Portions of the current alignment have severe sustainability issues.

Prescription: 525 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include two constructed turns. Close approx 200 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 525 feet

Project 8: Exit Trail Relocation

Description: Field design, flag, and construct relocation of the exit trail to improve sustainability and eliminate section of two-way traffic. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Portions of the corridor traverse slopes in close proximity to, then cross, two running streams; installation of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Realignment of an existing bridge will be required as is construction of an all-new crossing. Corridor is constrained due to project area boundary and endangered species.

Concern: Portions of the current alignment have moderate sustainability issues. Mandatory two-way traffic on existing trail where it traverses steep side slopes.

Prescription: 2,150 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include three constructed turns. Installation of approx 300 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Realignment of an existing bridge. Installation of the new bridge is the responsibility of the Client. Close approx 745 feet of obsolete tread. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 2,150 feet

Project 9: Black Trail Demonstration

Description: Field design, flag, and construct black trail demonstration segment. New singletrack will seamless blend into select portions of existing singletrack. Goal of this section is to create an example of most-difficult trail, composed of found & imported materials. Portions of the corridor traverse steep slopes in close proximity of the shoreline; installation of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. Corridor is constrained due to significant archeological resources.

Concern: n/a

Prescription: 2,800 feet of new contour trail, some through rocky terrain and/or across steep side slopes. Required elements include: 200 feet of narrow TTF boardwalk, four large insloped turns, two additional constructed turns. Steeper grades via armored tread to improve experience and increase challenge are encouraged. Installation of approx 300 feet of straw wattle may be required to satisfy Erosion Control Plan. A small tracked pusher/dozer, micro excavator and crawler/dumper are the recommended equipment.

Length of proposed project: Estimated 2,800 feet