As part of our drive to develop the Nelson Trail Network we are seeking supporters to help fund key aspects of trail development and project management. While our Trustees will continue to provide a high level of in-kind contribution to Trust project work, there are many aspects of project managing this level of trail development and management that carry a real cost.
One of the strengths of the Trust is being able to work in a professional space, and during the week. Not being constrained solely by volunteer weekends enables the Trust to make rapid progress when building. However, to make this possible the Trust needs to cover the costs of professional track design, access rights and easements, Environmental Impacts Assessments and managing the high quality builds we are already known for. These are real costs that out Trustees cannot cover.
For corporate level supporters we'll work with donors to provide recognition and visibility via our website and Facebook, as well as provide a tax invoice as donations are tax deductible. Our standard level of supporter investment for businesses is $1000, but we welcome any level. The Trust is highly efficient in its trail delivery mechanism, and turns small levels of investment into amazing trails very quickly. If you're interested in investing in the momentum, contact any of our Trustees in the first instance, or info@mtbtrailstrust.org.nz
Download our 'Become a Supporter' document here.
We have also invested $12,500 in accreditation/assessment costs to achieve International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Gold Ride Centre designation. IMBA's August 2015 intake of Ride Centres has seen Nelson and Rotorua join Park City, Utah as the only Ride Centres in the world with Gold designation. Bike Taupo, the only other New Zealand IMBA Ride Centre, has a silver designation. This is confirmation that our off-road trail network is a world class facility, complimenting the significant work already completed with urban cycleways and the NZ Cycle Trail projects. The MTB Trails Trust is proud to have driven this project, which reflects a ton of volunteer time over the last 20 years, as well as a very modest investment from other organisations (particularly NCC, TDC and DOC).
The Nelson Trail Network
Map below shows the Nelson components of the Epic Trails network inter-connecting with the various smaller trail clusters either already in place or planned to be completed.
Key to areas:
- Sharlands Creek
- Codgers MTB Park
- Fringed Hill
- Grampians
- Pipers Reserve
- Marsden Valley
- Silvan Forest
- Kingsland Forest
- Tunnicliffe Forest
- Rabbit Island
The MTB Trails Trust is a registered charitable trust designed to provide project management and delivery of MTB and multi-use trails in the Top of the South region. Since it was established in April 2014 the Trust has created over 30km of new purpose built mountainbike trails across the region. Most of this has been achieved through the generosity of our Trustees who donate their time and machinery to keep the trail development programme rolling out. The trails we have built have created an upsurge in the number of people out riding, running and walking the local hills. This is nothing but positive for the local economy. Since April last year 3169 hours have been contributed by volunteers (mostly our trustees) to a value of $58,562, plus in-kind contributions of equipment by our trustees totalling 503 hours of machine time valued at $42,755, a total inkind investment of $101,317. Your Opportunity to Support the Initiative One of the strengths of the Trust is being able to work in a professional space, and during the week. Not being constrained solely by volunteer weekends enables the Trust to make rapid progress when building. However, to make this possible the Trust needs to cover the costs of professional track design, access rights and easements, Environmental Impact Assessments and managing the high quality builds we are already known for. These are real costs that our Trustees cannot cover. For corporate level supporters we’ll work with donors to provide recognition and visibility via our website and Facebook as well as a tax invoice as donations are tax deductible. Our standard level of supporter investment for businesses is $1000, but we welcome any level. The Trust is highly efficient in its trail delivery mechanism, and turns small levels of investment into amazing trail very quickly. If you’re interested in investing in the momentum, fill out and submit the form on the next page or contact any of our Trustees at info@mtbtrailstrust.org.nz. Trustees are: Chris Mildon, Andrew Spittal, Rob Kay, Gary Donaldson, Malcolm Edridge and Alan Eskrick. The Trust’s achievements up to August 2015: • Successfully drove the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) accreditation of Nelson’s trail network at a cost to the Trust of $12,193. The network now has Gold Ride Centre status, one of only six other locations around the world. • Updated all trail signage for the local trail networks. • MTBTT website setup as an online reference to all of the MTB Trails in the region. • Built 1.5 hours of beginner & intermediate MTB trails on 185ha of private land in Silvan Forest adjacent to Richmond. Another 50km of track planned by next year. • Run three events at Silvan including the Tasman Intermediate Summer Tourney and Tasman Secondary School MTB Champs. Stoke/Richmond school groups regularly use the area for MTB activity. • In-kind contribution to building 5km Escalator climbing trail in Kingsland Forest. • Completed the 2.8m, intermediate grade Kaka climbing track in Big Bush at Teetotal Flat, St Arnaud. • Completed 3.1km intermediate/advanced grade, Sidewinder track in Big Bush at Teetotal Flat. • 90% completed 3.1km intermediate grade, Flying Moa track in Big Bush, Teetotal Flat. • Completed 2.7km advanced grade, Duck Down track in Big Bush, Teetotal Flat. • 75% completed 3.1km beginner grade, Rattler Rim track on Teetotal Flat. • Completed 7.5km advanced grade, Maitland Ridge track, which also forms part of Te Araroa Trail. • Obtained consent from DOC to build a 1.5km uphill track at the west end of Big Bush, St Arnaud this summer. • Obtained permission to build a 1km beginner grade track from St Arnaud Village to Teetotal Flat this summer. • Designed and produced signage and maps for the St Arnaud trail network for DOC. • 90% completed a book of maps and trail descriptions of Nelson-Marlborough mountainbike trails. Initial print run will be 500. • In-kind contribution to the development of the Victoria Domain, Picton, trail network with the first 1.2km long climbing trail completed. • Run Sustainable Trail Building Workshops to IMBA standards for 25 DOC staff from the top half of the South Island; for the Marlborough MTB Club; for the Picton Trail Group; and two for the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Ranger Trainee students (2014 & 2015 intakes, now a permanent part of the curriculum) • Managed the Ground Effect volunteer weekend at St Arnaud. 40 trail builders started the Duck Down build. • Made submissions to the NCC and TDC Long Term Plans regarding a coordinated strategy for recreational mountainbiking. • Made presentations to Forest and Bird Society, Nelson Tramping Club, Nelson MTB Club, Waimea Tramping Club, Nelson Conservation Board, Victory Community Assn, St Arnaud Community Assn and Nelson Community Board outlining our proposals and seeking feedback on cohesion/conflict management. Check out endorsements we have received at www.mtbtrailstrust.org.nz/Endorsements