Mountain Bikers Help Reverse New Jersey State Park Closures

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
05-22-08
Contact: Jeff Mergler
mergler@jorba.org
201-981-8179

The Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association (JORBA) and IMBA thank all mountain bikers who took action to save New Jersey's state parks. After a month of protests by bicyclists, hikers, equestrians and trail users of all kinds, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine announced on May 14 that he will be moderating or reversing his original plans to cut $8.8 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection budget. These proposed budget cuts would have closed nine state parks and forests, partially closed three others, and would have eliminated the Department of Agriculture. In addition, a significant percentage of park staff in these parks and others were slated for lay-off, which is particularly troublesome considering all parks are currently understaffed.

"I am particularly pleased how the mountain biking community responded to the proposed closures," said Jeff Mergler, Executive Director of JORBA. "Mountain bikers are avid trail users and performed nearly 5,000 hours of trail work in parks across New Jersey last year. For mountain bikers to put so much volunteer effort into improving the parks' trail systems, only to have them close the gates on us, this is a particularly troubling and frustrating situation. Once mountain bikers were notified of the situation, they responded in large numbers, alongside many other trail users, and this unified voice was heard loud and clear in Trenton. Because of this swift and strong response, the parks will remain open, and layoffs are no longer an immediate threat."

This is an important victory in what could be a multi-year fight to save state parks and forests. "I am cautiously optimistic", says Mergler. "Park superintendents I have spoken with share this outlook because the situation may take a turn for the worse once the operational budget ends on Oct 31, 2008. For now, the parks are open for business, but we will monitor the situation in Trenton closely and, if needed, we will respond as before and fully support New Jersey's parks and forests."

About the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association

JORBA is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, formed in 1999, to promote and advocate sustainable trail use for off-road cycling through promotion of volunteer events and coordination of JORBA chapter activities. For more information visit http://www.jorba.org