If you aren't up to date on the situation, the Corps of Engineers has made a decision to restrict cyclists from the South Holiday Park beginning Oct 1. This would completely prohibit cyclists between the south gate and the one in the middle we ride around. This decision was made without any cooperation from the cycling community, and we are working to reverse the action.
Some background
- Craig Roshaven worked with the previous Park Ranger Terry Schmidt, to achieve the current compromise for Nice hill, where seniors can take the bypass and avoid the hill in either direction.
- During their conversations, Terry did not mention having issues with cyclists, nor ask for any help policing the group.
- Terry has retired, and a new person has taken over as head Ranger.
- Craig has been heading up the efforts to discuss the issue with the Corps, gathering stakeholders from all over the cycling community, Mayors, Governors, HOA representatives, a really impressive group.
- During their conversations, Terry did not mention having issues with cyclists, nor ask for any help policing the group.
- Terry has retired, and Lyndy Black is new head Ranger.
- Craig has significant experience with public advocacy. He has participated, most often as the lead negotiator, in hundreds of meetings with elected and appointed public officials including Mayors, City Council members, country commissioners, state legislators, country sheriffs, city police chiefs, and members of the U.S. Congress.
- Craig has been heading up the efforts to discuss the issue with the Corps, gathering stakeholders from all over the cycling community, Mayors, Governors, HOA representatives, a really impressive group.
The primary reason the Corps is planning to restrict cyclists from South Holiday Park is the number of incidents that have occurred in the last few months. Most of us don’t need to do anything different than what we have been doing at the Lake.
- When you’re entering the South Gate, make a full stop to present your pass to the Gate Attendant. Don’t try to convince the Gate Attendants about any aspect of Park policy. It will just annoy them and waste your time.
- Don’t ride more than two abreast. Stay on the main road. If you stop, make sure you’re not blocking the road.
- If you can’t make it up and over Nice Hill, I suggest you walk up it. I did it the other day and it took me 90 seconds. We’ve all needed to walk a hill that’s too steep to ride. Let’s not use the bypass around it until we get the larger issue of even being allowed to ride up Nice Hill resolved.
We can ride on the road that goes down by restrooms near the South Gate. As you are entering the park from Pearl Ranch though the South Gate, that road is the first right. Please stay off the roads that come off that road. That is one of the most frequent violations of policy. We can use the Restrooms on that road. Recently some of the Gate Attendants have told us we can't use that road. According to Ranger Lyndy Black, we are allowed to use that road and the restrooms.
Some groups of cyclists have repeatedly and flagrantly broken the rules, not just of the park but of common courtesy and sense. Leaders in our community have identified the groups involved and are speaking to them. If a park ranger sees a cyclist or a group of cyclists flagrantly disrespect the rules of the park and of common courtesy and sense, we have urged them to issue a citation. We cannot and will not tolerate anyone who makes the park unsafe for others. If you know a cyclist or group of cyclists who is acting in a way that will reflect badly on all of us, please speak to that person or persons and demand they stop it, at least in the Park.
The best argument we can make to the Corps for keeping South Holiday Park open to us is that we, the cyclists who regularly use the Park, will do all we can to make sure all cyclists ride in a way that is consistent with public safety and respectful of all Park Staff. We can help the Rangers in their mission to keep the Park safe for all of its users. We are on the same side. We are allies, not adversaries.
Coverage
A few of the stakeholders, including Craig and I, were interviewed this week by a reporter from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and another reporter from the Fort Worth Report. The reporter from the Fort Worth report thinks his piece will be published Monday. https://fortworthreport.org/
Here is the link to the Star Telegram article. You may need a subscription to access.
So what can you do?
- A petition was started by Christel Chase to “Allow Cyclist and Walkers access to South Holiday Park.” As of now, it has 1,159 signatures. Add your signature here. You can forward this link to others as well.
- It would also be helpful to send a message to your Member of Congress, especially if you live in Rep. Kay Granger’s district. To send an email to Rep. Granger, use this page on her website: https://kaygranger.house.gov/email
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If you want to send an email to the USACE, I recommend you send it to:
Stefan E. Flores
Lake Manager - Benbrook Lake
Trinity Region
US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
7001 Lakeside Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76123
Office: 817-292-2450
Stefan.E.Flores@usace.army.mil
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If you live in Fort Worth, it would be helpful to send an email to Mayor Mattie Parker: mayor.mattie@fortworthtexas.gov She is working to help us reverse this policy so thank her for her support. It’s always good to show support for the politicians who are supporting you.
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The same goes for Mayor Jason Ward of Benbrook: mayor@benbrook-tx.gov.
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Be patient. Resolution of this issue is the highest priority for the FWBA board. We realize how important this 5 mile stretch of road is to all of us and will do everything we can to maintain the status quo.
What happens Next??
We have scheduled an in person meeting with Rick Bumgarder, Chief Public Affairs, Fort Worth District USACE, between the local cycling community and USACE staff on Friday, August 18, 2023 at high noon. We think we will be able to finalize the location this week. Craig, Dorsey Plunk and I will represent the club.
Before that meeting, we will host a Zoom call with the stake holders, so we are all on the same page, and can speak with one voice. This should take place this Thursday, July 27.
Stakeholders
A list of the stakeholders is below. If you know any of these people, or come across them, please express your gratitude for their willingness to be involved.
- FWBA
- Rusty Chain Gang
- MBBC
- Team Elevate
- Clear Fork Bicycle Club
- Deerwood Forest HOA
- Tiger Trail HOA
- Paragon Cycling
- City of Benbrook
- Peaks Coaching Group
- Fort Worth Bike Patrol Support Group
- Knuckleheads
- Arundel Bicycle Company
- Betsy Price
More info and details as we have them.
Thanks
Stephen & Craig