November 25, 2009 - The American River Conservancy's (ARC's) South Fork American River (SFAR) Multi-Use Trail Project is one step closer to completion. The 25-mile trail system will connect Highway 49 near Coloma, with the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area at Salmon Falls (El Dorado Hills). Bikes Belong's $10,000 grant will help the American River Conservancy to construct 4.5 miles of singletrack along the South Fork American River and a bridge over Acorn Creek, connecting nearly 50 miles of trail for mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and California State Parks lands. Community foundations, government agencies and individuals have contributed more than $200,000 to this trail project, which will significantly expand off-road bicycle riding options in the greater Sacramento area.
Colorado-based Bikes Belong is the U.S. bicycle industry organization dedicated to putting more people on bicycles more often. Bikes Belong works to increase federal bike funding, award grants to support innovative bike projects, promote bicycling and its benefits, and back crucial national efforts such as Safe Routes to School, Bicycle Friendly Communities, and the National Bike Summit. The affiliated Bikes Belong Foundation focuses on improving bicycle safety and enhancing bike programs for children.
Since Bikes Belong's Grants Program began in 1999, the group has awarded nearly $1.6 million in cash and leveraging close to $525 million in federal, state, and private funding. Bikes Belong's facility grants alone have helped finance more than 1,450 miles of bike paths and trails that link almost 7,500 miles of bike facilities. The American River Conservancy is actively seeking donations to support the completion of the SFAR Trail. ARC still needs $190,000 to purchase an important 40-acre parcel that will route the trail safely around a population of Stebbins' morning glory, a federally endangered plant species and to complete the bridge across Acorn Creek.
Trail supporters who provide cumulative donations of $500 or more will be listed on a bronze trail plaque at one of the two trailheads at Magnolia Ranch and/or Salmon Falls. Trail supporters who provide $5,000 or more will have their own picnic table along the trail route with a bronze plaque thanking them for their generous donation. Trail construction questions can be addressed to Elena DeLacy or Alan Ehrgott at (530) 295-2190. Donations in support of the trail project can be addressed to David Morrill at (530) 621-1224.
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