Tapawingo Stags Project Admin

Overview

Stags is the next section of the Tapawingo project, which is a joint project of the NY-NJ Trail Conference and JORBA to upgrade and connect the trail networks at Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Norvin Green State Forest. Originally conceived as a reroute around an unsustainable section of the legacy Hewitt-Butler trail, Stags was designed to reduce the number of turns to avoid building separate trails for hiking and mountain biking. By reducing the number of turns and redefining the trail specifications, Stags could be suitable for adaptive riders. Existing woods roads will then be upgraded to sustainable accessible standards. When completed,  Stags will be a 3950′ route suitable for beginner to intermediate adaptive riders, mountain bikers and hikers.

Scope of Work

The scope of work includes constructing a new section of adaptive mountain bike trail in two phases as well as renovation of existing woods roads to bring them up to aMTB standards. The new trail construction, (Phase 1 being the Stags, Hewitt Butler Reroute 1,184’, Phase 2 being the North Hole Reroute 633 ‘) will conform to aMTB GREEN standards as well as USFS Trail Classes 3/4 (developed/highly developed) standards. The new construction would have an average width of 72” and a minimum width of 60” with a target grade of 7% and a short pitch maximum grade of 15%. The trail cross slope is to be between 3% and 7% or the maximum

necessary for drainage. The minimum turn radius will be 20’. The trail surface will be native material, utilizing onsite borrowing and minimal imported material where required. Some deviation from aMTB Green standards may be required given the type of terrain in the area. Phase 3, the reconstruction of 2,437’ of existing woods roads, is to conform to the same standards as phases 1 and 2 with some deviations possible based on the existing routes of the woods roads.

Three stages, details below. 1. The original reroute. 2. The aMTB reroute connecting to the upper woods road. 3. Reworking existing woods roads as necessary. Am I missing anything? 

Stage 1

Approved

Stags, Hewitt Butler Reroute, as straight as possible with 7% Grade to existing trail 1184’ USFS Class 3-4 aMTB Easy, 

Bids due Apr 15, 2022 Completed

Bids Evaluated Apr 17, 2022 Completed

Bids Awarded Apr 19, 2022 King Trail Alliance. Completed

Stage 1 Approval Apr 27, 2022 Approved

PO  May 2, 2022 Completed

Site Meeting Planning Flagging Tom Hennigan May 5, 2022 Completed

Works Starts Stage 1 May 1, 2022  Not Started

Stage 2

Approved

Stags, aMTB North Hole Reroute 633’ built to USFS Class 3-4 aMTB Green. This will connect to the upper woods road. 

Stags Adaptive MTB Project Request for LMR Stage 2 Apr 1, 2022 Approved

Stage 2 Land Management Review Jul 1, 2022  Approved

Stage 2 Work commences Aug 1, 2022  Not Started

May 5, 2022 

1. Mountain bike trails should avoid all streams, seeps, wetlands and wetland buffers, and vernal pools to protect habitat for odonates, amphibians, and other species.
2. If any trees will be felled:
   1. Bats: The area is documented as habitat for the federal threatened Northern myotis (a.k.a. Northern long-eared bat) and as potential habitat for the federal endangered Indiana bat. Both species are “bark-roosting” bats that may roost within trees or shrubs with sloughing bark and/or bark with cavities/cracks/crevices. IF trees or shrubs >3” DBH will be cut and can not be excluded from the project, AVOID cutting during the bats’ active season (April 1 through September 30). This timing restriction represents the standard guidance the USFWS would provide via consultation for Indiana bats. The ENSP strongly recommends this timing restriction be incorporated into the project-wide scheduling and/or that you “consult” with the USFWS field office if the timing restrictions pose a problem to the project. If P&F need to discuss the bat timing restriction, they should contact Rebecca Klee, USFWS (908-930-1878; Rebecca_Klee@fws.gov).
   2. Woodland Raptors – Given the proximity of barred owl observations to the property boundaries and what appears to be potential suitable habitat on site, it is possible that barred owls and/or red-shouldered hawks or northern goshawks may be nesting on the property. Surveys should be conducted for presence/absence and for nest/cavity trees before any tree removal begins to minimize disturbance/harm to nesting birds.
3. This general area is inhabited by multiple species of reptiles (and amphibians). As such, it is imperative that IF a new trail (or segment of trail) will be created, the existing trail that will be replaced by this project must be successfully eliminated. P&F can determine the best approaches to achieve this (e.g., tree felling to block trail segment ends AND within the segment, steps to encourage vegetation regeneration, signage, etc.). Please note, tree felling will require timing restrictions to minimize harm to bats and nesting birds (no tree felling April 1 – October 31). · Do not place felled logs or debris piles adjacent to the new trail as these create suitable hunting areas for copperheads that may inhabit the area. · If the existing trail cannot be successfully eliminated, the ENSP will need to revisit this proposal.

Stage 3

Approved

2437’ of additional work on existing woods roads would be necessary to make the route suitable for adaptive riders. 

Work Starts Stage 3 Immediately after of concurrent with stage 1  Not Started

The Finished Product

The finished aMTB route will consist of 1817’ of new trail (red) and 2437’ feet of reworked woods roads. 

Grand Opening Oct 1, 2022  Completed

Hewitt-Butler Legacy Trail Closure. Oct 31, 2022