Over the next day or so, gates will be installed at all the main entrances of Theo and at the two Luce Line crossings.
These gates will be open when installed, so no worries, keep on riding and enjoy one of the best winter riding seasons we have had in a long time.
MOCA has worked very hard over the last few years in conjunction with the MPRB to put in a more official way to close the trails. No more orange fencing and laminated Kinko signs, we will have actual metal swinging gates with proper trail closing signs. The MPRB has decided to back us and they are going a step further to help provide enforcement. This means that when the gates are closed, riders can be ticketed by Minneapolis Park Police while on the mountain bike single track trail.
So when will the gates be closed?
- During the wet season in the spring. Usually anywhere from late February to late April. This varies depending on weather and spring temps.
- During the wet season in the fall before snowfall and the ground freezes.
- If the MPRB or Park Police request us to do so for any reason (likely an event or construction in the park somewhere).
- Any time the trail is too wet to ride for a long period of time. From time to time in the summer we have multiple days of wet weather and may close the trail until it is dry enough to ride again.
If the gates are open, all guidelines still apply. Please don't ride them when they are wet, yield to other trail users (runners, hikers, dog walkers, users of the Luce Line, and so on), and yield to trail workers if you see them on the trail.
If the gates are closed, this means the entire Theodore Wirth mountain bike trail system is closed. Please do not ride or walk around them. Also, do not go to another entrance into the woods to find a way onto the trail.
This is for the good of the trail and will hopefully help keep our trail maintenance much lower so we can work on projects that improve the trail riding experience and expand into new areas.
Thank you for your cooperation.
