I'm impressed with the considerable knowledge and range of opionions on city park ski
places / potentials expressed just in this brief round of e-discussion. Since the
Madnorski Board officers have (had?) scheduled a meeting to talk about skiing with the
Parks Dept., it seems that if we have a sub-committee prepare an outline of parks,
current ski trails and (possible / future) development or recommendations, it would be
a great opportunity. We could start with simply a rough outline - just some of the
ideas above sound great - and work from there. I can see that Joe King's archive of
this e-discussion will be quite helpful. Madeline Uraneck
>>> Pete Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 1/25/01 10:37:03 AM >>>
I completely agree with Clare about East side skiing. Elver can be 30
minutes from my house; I might as well go to Lapham Peak (40+ minutes)!
I'd especially second the call for better grooming for Olin Turville Park.
Its central location makes it very accessible, and it is the best, most
interesting trail in Madison. Its rolling hills with lots of corners make it
a great technical trail, yet none of it is beyond the reach of intermediate
or even beginning skiers. Unfortunately, it is groomed only after a
substantial snowfall. It is essentially never regroomed without fresh snow.
It is currently classical only, which I think is appropriate given its
narrow width. It makes for a very nice single track experience. I personally
would like to keep it that way.
Olin-Turville is currently threatened by city plans to eliminate loops or
relocate trail out into the open area, which would be wind-swept and, well,
boring. They have already lopped off 2 loops, reducing kilometers from 4.7
to about 4. It may get substantially shorter if they go through with this.
I'd like to see East-side skiers express their support for Olin-Turville to
the city. It needs regular grooming and it needs its trail network
maintained. It also needs some kind of signage to keep walkers off the
track.
Not having been to Heistadt Park, I'd say Monona Golf Course is teh best
skating in the East, and it could also use more frequent grooming. Perhaps
the city's new snowmobile proposal might allow for all this.
Pete Anderson
1/24/01 11:42 AM, Clare Seguin at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Calling all East Side Skiers! I'm wondering if I'm alone in my desire for a
> decent place to ski on the East side (e.g., well-groomed, for both classic
> and skating). Not that I don't love and appreciate the excellent work done
> to develop great trails at Elver, it's just that some days it's too much to
> brave the beltline after work to drive clear over there. Besides, by having
> to drive so much, I'm contributing to the very problem which is threatening
> our future skiing (global warming). A few ideas/ thoughts I've come up with
> (let me know what you think):
> *Better grooming/ expand for skating at Olin/Turville. (central location,
> decent hills, nice scenery)
> *More consistent grooming at Monona Golf Course (it's boring, but you can
> get a workout in a pinch).
> *Develop trails at Heistadt Park on Cottage Grove Rd. (it's a Frisbee Golf
> Course in summer and has a few good hills).
>
> I'm interested in discussing this issue and possibly taking some kind of
> action about it, in my spare time when not driving or skiing! Thanks!
> --
> Clare Seguin
> REACH Program
> Lincoln Elementary School
> 909 Sequoia Trail
> Madison, Wi. 53713
> (608)267-4262 X150
> (608)241-5663 (home)
