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NRD encourages respectful trail use

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 - 12:58:51 am CDT

The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District is getting complaints about the improper use of its recreational trails by horseback and all-terrain vehicle riders which can pose a hazard to other trail users.

“The NRD likes that the trails are being properly utilized by so many and it’s unfortunate a few who don’t follow the rules can impact us all,” general manager Glenn Johnson said in a news release. “Irregularities in the limestone trails, such as hoof prints, are a safety hazard for the many that use the trails properly for hiking, running and biking.”

With the opening of a 13-mile stretch of the Homestead Trail, from Saltillo Road at 25th Street to Cortland last November, the Lincoln-based district now maintains about 50 miles of recreational trails. The MoPac East Trail runs for about 25 miles from 84th Street in Lincoln to Wabash. The 12-mile Oak Creek Trail connects Valparaiso and Brainard.  

Story Photo
The MoPac East Trail runs for about 25 miles from 84th Street in Lincoln to Wabash. (LJS file)

People who ride horses in the MoPac East and Oak Creek trail corridors should stay on the mowed trail that parallels the crushed limestone trail and only be on the limestone trail at marked crossings and bridges, Johnson said. Horseback riding is not permitted on the Homestead Trail.  

Equestrian users who don't follow the rules and users of unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind can be prosecuted, Johnson said. The NRD is asking trail users to report any abuse of the trails immediately to the local sheriff's office or to the NRD by phoning (402) 476-2729.

Trail rules are posted at trailheads and on the NRD Web site, www.lpsnrd.org; click on Recreation. 


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Homestead trail user wrote on July 29, 2008 8:47 am:
" I live adjacent to the homestead trail north of Cortland and it amazes me how many people use the trail. Just want to continue to urge everyone not to litter. I walked the trail last weekend and saw a few things so came back and got a bag and picked up stuff along a 2 mile section while walking. Not much, but even a little hurts. "

 Harold wrote on July 29, 2008 9:23 am:
" I'd second this, but also add that the NRD should take care of the trails the way they are supposed to. It is their responsibility to maintain the trails and while some users are creating a mess (horses, ATV--I saw a dude on a dune-buggy type vehicle on the MoPac the other day), a lot of the issues are simple maintenance things that could easily be remedied or avoided all together if taken care of properly. "

 mh wrote on July 29, 2008 10:13 am:
" If they use crushed rock on the trails I would never ride my horse on it that is just asking for a lame horse. the people that are riding on it dont care about their horses either they diserve to get the sheriff called on them! "

 mh wrote on July 29, 2008 12:30 pm:
" If they use gravel on the trails people should not be ridding horses on their if you are a responsible rider you should know ridding on rocks for long periods is just asking for a lame horse, they diserve to have the sheriff called on them. "

 Jeff wrote on July 29, 2008 1:51 pm:
" I think trails for horse riders is just as important as it is for other modes of transportation, and both the "damage" and the messiness is being greatly overexaggerated, and in no way should it be put on a level with all-terrain vehicles. Also - some people shoe their horses - and thus the horses can handle fairly hard surfaces without getting a lame. "

 guest wrote on August 1, 2008 12:42 pm:
" Keep in mind there is a difference, at least for horseback riders, between abusing the trail and using it (small sections of the limestone trail) for legitimate reasons. On the Oak Creek trail running from Valparaiso to Brainard, there are a few places where out of necessity the horses must join the limestone trail for a short while - areas where the draws are too deep or completely overgrown to create horse trail through it, for example, and over the several bridges on the hardpack trail. MOST horseback trail users are responsible and follow the well-marked proper "ons" and "offs" for the horse trail -- just as MOST bicycle riders can be depended upon to follow theirs. However, there are always exceptions. And yes, abusers should be reported if they truly are out-of-place, both horses on hardpack trails AND things such as mountain bikes on horse trails if they are not allowed -- it's a scary thing to meet a mountain bike on horseback. Interestingly, the ATV I have seen most often on this trail, other than maintenance vehicles, belonged to a landowner who managed to both hate the trail's existence and consider it his own runway into town. Sigh. The NRD has provided us with some great trails, and a sense of personal responsibility will make them available to us for years. "

 Horse Rider wrote on August 1, 2008 12:48 pm:
" As a horse trail rider, I truly appreciate when our officials include horses in their plans for city/county/state trails. We are just another mode of recreation who appreciate good trails & nice scenery. I try to stay on the trails when they are marked & cleared - sometimes we have no choice but to go up on the limestone due to downed trees or timber. Note, the limestone is a multi service material. It is not the big white rock that you are thinking.

In addition, I recognize that my horse may leave droppings & try to scoot them off the bridges. But remember, horses are carnivores & it will biodegrade in a day or so. Still not fun to find on a trail, but have have seen worse things on the trail left by our own species that isn't biodegradable.

Hikers & Bikers - when you see a horse rider on a trail -- and especially if we dont see you, please say "Hi" in a voice that we can hear. Sometimes our horses don't recognize certain bikes or if coming up behind us, can't identify the sound & may spook. Yes, I do everything in my power to "control" my 1200 pound beast, but we are the ones with the BIGGER brain, so we have to help each other out. Once my horse attaches a voice with a "machine", they most generally sense no danger. Many don't know this but they are prey animals and their natural instinct is to flee.

Lets be good trail partners to each other. And horse riders - lets be good stewards to our land and trails. Please, stay on designated trails. We would hate to lose them by our own indignation or sense of false ownerships. "

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