Three Kingdom Trails Association landowners will no longer allow mountain bikers on their properties.
The three property owners, who all hold land in the Darling Hill area of Burke, had welcomed cyclists for 25 years, according to a Dec. 16 statement from the trail network association.
But issues related to the network’s expansion and popularity appear to have contributed to the owners’ decision to limit bikers.
“Kingdom Trails has experienced great growth in recent years,” said Abby Long, the organization’s executive director, via email. “This success has put extreme stress on the formerly quiet roads and small villages where the trails exist.”
Asked to characterize the owners’ motivations for stemming bike use, Long pointed to traffic problems and pedestrian safety concerns that have come with the increasing number of visitors the trail system attracts.
“KT is located in a rural area of the state and the number of visitors places strain on the older infrastructure of our communities,” Long said.
Long said the organization would “absolutely be addressing these concerns” with a USDA feasibility study and by working collaboratively with towns to revitalize roads, using a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission. They’re also planning to expand trails away from Darling Ridge, a sandy, scenic landmark in Burke.
Kingdom Trails offers more than 100 miles of trails, and almost 100 landowners belong to the association and allow people to travel through their properties. The three landowners in question plan to allow Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, jogging and horseback riding on their properties, Long said. But their decision will reduce the amount of trail system available to bikers by about 12 ½ miles
Long said she doesn’t sense that more landowners may decide to limit access to their properties.
“Rather, just the opposite,” the director said.
She explained that some landowners in the White School Road area of Burke had recently allowed the organization to groom trails on their properties for fat-biking, which is mountain biking with heftier tires that make it easier to ride over snow.
Kingdom Trails also tamped down on worries that the landowners’ decisions were a sign of decline in a second statement Dec. 20.
“We understand this is a time of change, but make no mistake KTA is alive and well, with our entire network of trails still to enjoy,” the statement said. “We are continuing to maintain and build trails to carry out our mission and provide the incredible trail experience all users have come to love, while also understanding and striving to amend the concerns of our landowners and community.”
The organization also emphasized its appreciation for landowners in the network and reiterated that access to their land is a privilege, not a right.
Sue and Gary Burrington, Sharon Dolloff and Fred and Mary Jane Miller own the properties, said Long. The Caledonian Record first reported the names.
The Burringtons and Millers did not return voicemails seeking comment. VTDigger was not able to reach Dolloff.
The Record also noted that there has been increased attention this year to concerns from landowners in the Burke area regarding the flow of visitors to the towns creating traffic and parking problems.
Burke Selectboard Chair Christine Emmons did not return two voicemails left seeking comment.
