Building a new mountain bike trail system
to preserve, protect, and enhance the environment while connecting Rochester residents, communities, and visitors to a healthy outdoor lifestyle through human-powered active silent sports
Rochester, Minnesota
The goal of the Spring Brook Valley Project is to create a public green corridor for the use and enjoyment of the people and communities of Rochester and its visitors, which preserves natural habitat and will protect, restore, and enhance the natural environment.
What is mountain biking?
Mountain biking is off-road biking typically on dirt trails through natural areas. While there are many styles of riding, they all share the same benefits of great exercise in a peaceful, fresh air environment with no hazard of automobile traffic.
Mountain biking is a “silent sport”, which means there are no engines, audiences, buzzers or announcers. Numerous studies have shown that mountain biking has no more environmental impact than hiking, as well as a positive influence on local businesses.
Where is Spring Brook Valley?
Spring Brook Valley is in Southwest Rochester, surrounded by residential subdivisions. The project area is outlined in green in this image. The green shaded area is not part of the project because it is private property. The three square/rectangular parcels in this image comprise 93 acres of private property, which is situated contiguous with approximately 50 acres of city-owned property and 23 acres of private community property (shaded green). The original vision for this project was to raise money to purchase the 93 acres of private property, but we were unsuccessful, and the property was recently sold to a local land developer.
New MTB Flow Trails
What is a “flow trail”?
A flow trail is a trail built specifically for mountain bikes. The surface is smoother than a typical track with an emphasis on predictability and using gravity to the rider’s advantage whenever possible. Beginner flow trails are very user friendly.
Flow trails in Spring Brook Valley are the motivating interest of the Rochester Active Sports Club, a key supporter and crucial partner of The Valley Project.
The vision for the completed park is ambitious and can only be realized with both public and private funding, through the volunteer activities of The Rochester Active Sports Club (RASC) and with community volunteers like you! Defining features include a new network of trails for walking, trail running, hiking, biking, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing. Silent sports. Conceptual park improvements include a trailhead with maps and signage, parking area, bathroom facilities, water bottle refill station, a pavilion with gas fire pit, a bike wash, and a multi-use trail connection through the park from 18th Ave SW to Commercial Drive SW.
