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The December 9th meeting appeared to be a
positive with a strong representation from both clubs. Will, Greg,
Nick Cindy and me were in attendance. Educational and informative.
With more to come. Sounds like the martin County parks and rec. might
be recognizing that we are more than a bunch of crazy guys and gals on
bikes. We even had newspaper coverage.
(From Mike Cook) Club Scrub
had a strong turnout. Myself, Will, Mike and Cindy, Greg G, and a
couple others were there from Airborne. Also present were some members
of the Equestrian group and a few hikers.
Karl from IMBA did a great job of explaining the duties and
responsibilities of a bike patrol, as well as ways to minimize
liability when rendering aid. He also explained that all the user
groups should realize that together we have a stronger voice than we
do as segregated factions only concerned with our own interests. He
also demonstrated some of the skills that can be taught to newer
riders should we choose to offer such instruction. One other point he
stressed is that we are there to help people, not to act like
rent-a-cops, leave enforcement of the park rules to park staff or law
enforcement.
Chuck from Martin County also gave a presentation of their vision for
the bike patrol. Basically we may be asked to patrol during some
events and to offer assistance to the Sheriffs dept in finding
individuals lost or injured in the park system. Each user group would
be expected to patrol mainly thier own users, while also assisting
anyone they come across in distress. We may be supplied with GPS
equiped phones for emergency use as well as Camelbacks and First Aid
Kits. Chuck was very excited about the potential service we can
provide.
Everyone interested was asked to indicate so on the sign in sheet at
the end of the day, and I saw YES next to almost every name!
(From Nick DiBenedetto)
Martin
training trail users to help during emergencies
(online
article click here)
By Rachel Simmonsen
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 10, 2006
 When Martin County park officials looked into expanding trails on
state land, they say they met with some resistance: State park
officials didn't mind more people using the land, but they worried
about keeping track of everyone. If someone got lost on a new trail,
who would respond?
The county's environmental lands administrator came up with a simple
answer: The
trail users themselves.
Chuck Barrowclough is spearheading a new program that aims to train
hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians to be trail patrols as the
county pushes ahead with a plan to update and expand its network.
At their first meeting Saturday at Halpatiokee Regional Park near
Interstate 95, about 20 prospective patrols got an introduction
 to
navigation and learned tips on basic first aid and things to carry on
the trails in case of emergency.
Barrowclough hopes patrols eventually will receive more extensive
training in wilderness survival. Those who participate in the program
will receive T-shirts, first aid kits, compasses, whistles and cell
phones with cameras and GPS so if they come across a lost or injured
trail user, they can help rescue workers find the person.
 State and county park staffs don't always have the resources to
maintain trails or monitor them for people who get lost. The county's
park patrols will also be able to keep trails clear and let park
officials know of needed improvements, Barrowclough said.
"There just isn't funding in the park system for this," said Karl
Smart, an instructor with the International Mountain Bicycling
Association who taught during Saturday's meeting.
Kay
Addison, 42, of Palm City Farms was eagerly taking notes.
"I find this really exciting," said Addison, an equestrian and member
of the Palm City Farms Trail Association.
Already, she's heard of horse riders encountering problems on trails,
like getting stuck in mud or having a horse step on a piece of barbed
wire and injure a hoof. But riders don't always know how to solve the
problems or whom to call for help.
"The more people who can get training and education the better,"
agreed Judy Streiber, 57, another member of the trail association.
Barrowclough said the patrol system will do more than increase
awareness and safety on the trails. It also will encourage different
kinds of users, like bicyclists and hikers, to work together,
something that hasn't always been the case.
"This way we bring everyone to the table," he said. "Everyone gets a
piece of the pie." |
