By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Depending on the public’s response, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources may change the types of allowable trail use on the Thunder Valley Equestrian Trail.

In light of improvements to the trail that extended its pathway from seven miles to 13.5 miles and added a connection to the Marquette County Fairgrounds, the Equine Trails Subcommittee is seeking clarification on how the trail will be used.

ETS has also requested that the DNR consider banning wheeled vehicles, including bicycles, from the trail due to safety concerns.

“Bikes spook horses because they are fast and silent and are something interpreted as a predator,” said Ron Yesney, Upper Peninsula trails coordinator with the DNR. “ETS isn’t seeking strictly equestrian, they are OK with hikers, cross-country skiing and snowshoers.”

Avid cyclist John Frye maintained that there is no safety concern for confrontations between bikers and horseback riders now.

“We live 200 meters from the trailhead and visit there every day. There are never cars there, never horses, never bikes. I would say the trails see three to 10 users, of all groups, spread across the week, with horse riders maybe every other week at the most,” he said. “This has been the pattern for four summers now. There cannot possibly be conflict if nobody uses the system.”

Still, Yesney said the DNR will consider the request from ETS.

“The DNR takes recommendations from our advisory work groups very seriously and we work to implement their recommendations whenever possible,” he said. “The Thunder Valley Equestrian Trail was built with a primary focus on equestrian use. However, as we consider how a trail may accommodate other uses, we want to be sure to seek public input before making any changes.”

Frye, while expressing his thoughts, pointed out that there is no mountain bike subcommittee representation with the DNR.

However, he still values community and cooperation over everything else.

“I do not want to take anything away from the equestrian group,” Frye said. “I simply want to be partners with them, work on trails together, enhance signage for trail courtesy and safety and even close it to other users when horse riders have big annual rides so the pathway is truly free of risk. We are at a time of greater demand for shared recreation and these invaluable systems have to be more inclusive, not playgrounds for division.”

Area residents are invited to learn more about recent upgrades on the trail and provide feedback on what uses they want for the pathway.

The public meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Hiawathaland Snowmobile Club clubhouse, 398 State Highway M-553 in Marquette.

A virtual meeting option is also available by using this call-in information:

≤ Dial in by phone: 248-509-0316

≤ Phone conference ID: 696-981-443#

Email dnr-trails@michigan.gov with any questions about the meeting.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net