Do Not Pave Conservancy Trails!
Mike and his Road bike. What? You don't recognize me?
I'll preface my comments regarding the Pheasant Branch Conservancy creek corridor trail by stating I'm an avid on-road and off-road bicyclist. I have a TREK road bicycle (pictured above) for exercise & recreation and a Schwinn hybrid for commuting and light trail duty. I'm also an avid birder and amateur ornithologist. While I'm a far cry from being anti-bicycle, I am staunchly pro-safety and pro-environment. As such, I'm sensitive to the sentiment recently expressed by Steve Leo, Middleton District 8 alderman, who was quoted in the Middleton Times Tribune saying, "Everyone here, myself included, has a carbon footprint the size of Bigfoot...we've got to do something to get folks out of their cars."
On at least one particular point, Steve and I are in agreement: it sure would be nice for more people to commute via bicycle, as we both do. Somebody has to get the green campaign rolling sometime, so it might as well begin with a trail for bicyclists that just so happens to run through one of the best places in southern Wisconsin to observe neotropical migratory songbirds. If we don't stop global climate change, birds will indeed suffer. What's the point of having any sort of nature trail if we allow the world and its critters to succumb to the destructive effects of climate change? There's a flip-side, however. Presently, the greatest cause of declines in bird populations is habitat loss and fragmentation, not global climate change. However, the latter is a deadly threat looming in the future for all the world's living things.
Having heated up the rhetoric with his torrid premise, Steve then attempts to redefine the argument (he is a politician, after all). In the Tribune article he goes on to say, "You purge bikes from the Pheasant Branch Conservancy forever, and our changing climate in the coming years will affect the Pheasant Branch wildlife." Could bicycling through Pheasant Branch really play such a pivotal role on its climate? One wonders just how many bicyclists Steve would like to see using the trails at Pheasant Branch Conservancy in order to circumvent this cataclysmic disaster. First of all, nobody I know, myself included, is calling for a ban on all bicycles from conservancy trails. Heck, I ride my hybrid bike on it all the time. Secondly, while it's certainly admirable to initiate an example for others to follow, it is truly naive to think Americans are anywhere close to ending their love affair with automobiles. If we don't start preserving more breeding and migration stopover habitat now, we won't have to worry about saving birds from global climate change in the future.
Enjoying the scenic commute via trail bicycle.
What Middleton's politicians seem to keep missing is an appreciation for the diversity of songbirds that use the creek corridor as a migratory pit stop. This is an important point, but no matter how many times I've presented it to Middleton, they just don't seem to appreciate how unusual it is to have over 30 different warbler species foraging in an urbanized natural area in May and September:
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
There's an enormous educational potential and tourism opportunity being missed; keep the creek corridor wild for the wildlife. Sustain it in the spirit of Aldo Leopold's land ethic as a bird & wildlife sanctuary than merely another well-groomed commuter trial. There are simply not that many places left in Wisconsin where so many different bird species can be observed in a relatively small area in such a short period of time. Though not as critical for nesting habitat by neotropical migratory birds, the creek corridor provides an excellent stopover point for them to rest and refuel for the next leg of their arduous journey. Over two hundred bird species can be observed at Pheasant Branch Conservancy; birds that spend winters in the Amazon Jungle; birds that nest in remote corners of the Boreal Forests in Canada. Isn't anyone else even remotely amazed by this!?
Blackburnian Warbler foraging along the creek corridor.
Does a sanctuary for wildlife exclude children, handicapped individuals, or bicyclists? The answer is a resounding 'no.' But is it necessary to despoil a trail so that the least advantaged among us can safely use it? Where else do we see this "for everyone" philosophy in public operation? Baseball diamonds? Swimming pools? Playground equipment? Contrary to some comments I received through my blog, children presently do just fine bicycling along the existing gravel trail. I have also observed people who are confined to wheelchairs use the trail and the only trouble I've witnessed them experience were at stream crossings (thankfully, the bridges will solve that problem). Will it be easier for them if paved? Sure, of course. But I wonder how comfortable Middleton's politicians will feel by exposing children and handicapped people to road bicyclists who are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 20mph on paved trails with blind corners.
There will be no more of this, my fellow birders!
I understand it's a grant from the Department of Transportation, but it's my opinion that widening and paving the creek corridor trail from Parmenter Street to Century Avenue will be a mistake and waste of money; money better spent on planting more native plants and shrubs on restored areas along the creek corridor, as well as stabilizing the stream bank from ongoing erosion. The existing gravel trail is more than suitable for accommodating popular mountain and hybrid style trail bikes. While birding, I have conducted dozens of interviews with other trail users; joggers, pedestrians, and other birders. They overwhelmingly prefer the gravel trail the way it presently is. Paving it is unpopular. Paving it is unnecessary. Paving the trail will open it to road bicycles, which are capable of going much faster than trail bicycles. Birding along the Capital City trail near Nine Springs (which is paved and serves as a model for the proposed trails in Middleton) can be a very nerve-racking experience on pleasant days when there is increased bicycle traffic.
As someone who spends nearly every morning and evening birding along the creek corridor trail for several hours at a time during migration, I'm concerned not only for myself, but also for my friends. It will be much more difficult for us while looking up into the trees with our binoculars to hear approaching bicyclists on a paved trail. My hearing is fine, but others I know who go there to bird are hearing impaired. Paved, though less of a concern, conducting nature photography will be substantially more difficult due to increased traffic. Paved, there's a greater chance recently fledged birds (and amphibians, mammals, etc.) that wander onto the trail will be severely injured or killed. As traffic has increased on the trail I'm finding more and more squashed frogs and toads during spring. Perahps worst of all, paved, it seems very likely to increase the probability of a pedestrian/bicycle collision around blind corners.
Mike McDowell
Addendum 08/05/2009:
On 08/04/2009, Middleton Common Council voted 6 to 2 in favor of awarding the contract to install the bridges at the remaining stream crossings and pave the trail (from Parmenter Street to Century Avenue).
All images © 2009 Mike McDowell
12 Comments:
There is one effect of paving the trail that I believe should be noted. You briefly mention the erosion problems along the stream bank. Paving the trail would cause even more erosion problems in other areas.
It was painfully demonstrated in one of last year's big washouts that much of the underlying soil in the corridor is sandy. Inadequate erosion control on a denuded hillside allowed tons of sand to wash into the stream. (Ironically just across the ravine but not visible from the trail other residents chose a more effective Living Wall solution that has garnered the site national awards.) Creating a ribbon of impermeable surface will concentrate stormwater on the uphill side of the trail causing it to cut gullies parallel to the trail's edge until the point where enters a stormwater system or the stream or finds a low spot to cut across the pavement. In the last scenario it will carry with it sand, gravel and other debris that are hazardous to fast-moving cyclists who have become accustomed to long stretches of smooth pavement. Sheet flow of water across the pavement will similarly deposit debris on the pavement.
In scenarios of water concentrated to flow along the pavement edge frequent maintenance will be necessary to prevent erosion of the subgrade and collapse of the asphalt surface. In the past few years I have observed the erosion of the steep portions of trail in either direction directly off Park Street. Repair after these events is simple because of the pliable nature of the current trail surface. It's been nice to see that repairs are carried out almost immediately. Can the same thing be said for damaged asphalt?
Of course, trail edge erosion can be mitigated by the construction of a complex of ditches and swales to intercept storm water. But such an approach really amounts to even more destructive impact on the existing habitat.
Mike is right. When I visit the stream corridor during the spring and fall bird migrations I'm blown away by the volume and diversity of birds that stop there. What amazes me most is that this happens in spite of the fact that the woodland floor is such a highly degraded habitat already. It only takes a few minutes of looking to see how much of it is an unbroken mass of invasive exotic plant species. Further urbanizing the corridor with a paved trail with heighten the "in spite of" effect.
I don't live any where near you but I agree that the trails in the Conservancy should not be paved. Undeveloped land in this country is disappearing too fast as it is. Wildlife has been here alot longer than we have. If we keep distroying their habitat we won't have wildlife and nature to enjoy anymore. If I want to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature I certainly can't do that in a crowded developement or a parking lot. If the paving is allowed what would they want to develope next?
I completely agree! This trail, this escape from the busy city is first and foremost used by lovers of nature. This is not a spot for road biking, stroller racing, or rollerblading. It's just a shame to see there plans when all the years before it was so ignored.
There are parks around that are there for more recreational use, but isn't this one called Pheasant Branch Conservancy?
I often jog the trail and have had to avoid a few biker/jogger collisions already. Once paved, bikers (road and mountain) are going to be able to fly through the curves of the trail and cause a huge safety hazard.
Paving the trail, enlarging trails, making bigger bridges, cutting down trees & shrubs, planting lawn grasses...this is not just a waste of city money better spent elsewhere-- it is degrading the value of the conservancy to nature lovers.
I feel very strongly that the conservancy should be left as undeveloped as possible. Over the last 10 years I've seen the conservancy go from being a place that often seemed magical to becoming almost just another city park with overly aggressive plant control, overly-wide trails and noisy city trucks driving right down the "nature trail".
If money was spent on just maintaining what is left of this conservancy, the city would save money and actually create a more unique and valuable nature conservancy inside a city...something very few cities have.
John Feith
What a shame to see "pave the planet" advocates hiding behind the Green cape!
Wow. Thirty species of warblers in one place! That is big even to a Texan. I currently live in the Texas Hill Country , the home of the blacked checked warbler and would live to have that many species here. We do get to see many of the warblers during migration. But they are losing habitat both in their winter and summer homes and we need to put saving habitats for birds at the top of our lists or our children and grandchildren will be missing a big part of what makes life joyous and will inherit a seriously flawed ecosystem.
Texas was the first state to put in birding trails and produce maps showing great wildlife viewing locations. This is helping both the birds and the economy enormously. Many states have followed our example. Sounds like you need to do this as well.
And I agree that paving a trail would make it possible for more people to go too fast and too loudly and would seriously impact walkers, wildlife watchers and the wildlife itself Many species need to be in quiet, remote areas to be suceed. Here in the preserves for the golden cheeked warbler, we are not even allowed to use the area when the birds are first starting to nest so we don't drive them off.
I hope you can save this important piece of habitat for the birds.
Good Afternoon - I do not live in Middleton, but I do, however, bike & hike in Middleton - and so feel it appropriate to express my concerns regarding the proposed paving of the Pheasant Creek Branch Conservancy trail.
Yes, we should encourage folks to use less gasoline, to exercise more, etc. But creating a "biking beltline" through one of the most beautiful natural places Dane County has to offer is too great a sacrifice to that end. Paving the trail in this habitat would, in my opinion, be the most destructive, dangerous and ill-advised move your city could make.
Yes, it would take more thoughtfulness, more planning and more creativity to spend money on true improvements (natural bridges, native plantings, creek bank stabilization, informational/educational signage)
- as opposed to just rolling out the asphalt trucks....but, what a shine those improvements would put on your jewel of a naturescape!
I live in Verona. I often bike & hike on the Military Ridge Trial -- a very popular, used and UN-paved surface. If we really care about where we live, we'll take the time and effort to preserve what we have, minimize our waste and negative impact on our surroundings and hopefully, improve what's here for future generations.
Thanks for listening.
Sue Vaughan
Verona, Wisconsin
Mike ,
That happened in my town at Hofstra Park a great ridge migrant trap,
The corrupt Mayor wanted to grandstand by cutting out all of those grand Oak trees to put a pathetic Bike/Jogging trail in which really destroyed alot Habitat not only for Migrants but a portion of breeders!
In conclusion the Sierra club and News 12 N.J ARRIVED, but since citizens did not pay attention at the council meetings the destruction of habitat slipped through with out even being noticed, only the lies that the Mayor presented on the table of the project.
Politicians, like many people, do not grasp the importance of wildlife habitat, and often not even wildlife themselves. Great shot of the Blackburnian by the way.
Erosion, increased disturbance (both by construction and increased trail use) increased littering (all of which lead to lower water quality in the creek, impacting aquatic life, etc. )will all occur if the trail is paved....if you want to make a bigger case for keeping the area as is, check to see if any listed species occur there! They have legal status that can help change people's minds. What does the local Audubon Society think? USFWS?
I try to hike the trail at least once a week, but if it was paved and road bikes were allowed to speed silently through it, I would no longer be able to enjoy it. I've had double knee replacement surgery and I just can't jump out of the way like I used to.
John S
Middleton, WI
Post a Comment
<< Home