The Master Plan for Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, adopted in 2011, identified the hilly southwest corner of the park as having potential for a segregated mountain bike trail system. The City has not proceeded with development of the mountain bike trails because, as planned, access would only be available once the City initiated development of the back 80 acres as part of a future development phase of Smith Park.
In 2021 the City was approached by a group of mountain bike enthusiasts who, working in conjunction with Bike Walk Brentwood and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, Middle Tennessee Chapter (SORBAMIDTN), offered to work with City staff to identify an acceptable access route from the existing developed area of the park and build the agreed upon access route to the planned mountain bike trail area. Since that time, City staff have been working with this group to develop a trail design that works in harmony with the existing pedestrian hiking trails and adequately addresses concerns for stormwater runoff. A professional trail design firm, Rock Solid Trail Contracting, was hired by the group to design the trail. That work is now complete and has been reviewed by staff.
With the trail design complete, two agreements have been drafted for the City Commission's consideration. This first agreement is designed to formalize the overall relationship between the City and SORBAMIDTN for the provision of mountain bike trails in Smith Park. SORBAMIDTN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partners with the State of Tennessee and local governments on the construction and maintenance of mountain bike trails throughout the area. They have partnered on nine trails so far, including Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Wilkins Branch Mountain Bike Park in Franklin, and Montgomery Bell State Park in White Bluff. This "Master Agreement" does not specifically authorize the construction of the trail, but rather defines the responsibilities of the City and SORBAMIDTN in a mutually beneficial partnership for mountain bike trail construction and maintenance. The Master Agreement will renew annually unless canceled, and is to be reviewed by both parties every two years. A separate agreement will specifically authorize the construction of the trail.
The attached agreement provides for the City to make lands in Smith Park available to SORBAMIDTN for trails, utilize SORBAMIDTN for technical expertise, provide rules and regulations for trail use, coordinate construction and maintenance activities with SORBAMIDTN, approve all publications and printed materials regarding the trails, and approve any special activities/events within the trail corridors. The agreement provides for SORBAMIDTN to maintain all mountain bike trails and coordinate volunteer activities for same, provide technical assistance to the City, provide information about trail building schools and trail care crews, identify mutually beneficial projects, advocate for proper and ethical trail use by patrons, and make tools and equipment available for volunteer activities. It also requires liability waivers for volunteers, liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured, and requires SORBAMIDTN to hold the City harmless from claims or damages. SORBAMIDTN will not attempt to enforce any laws or rules while on park property. Lastly, the agreement does not obligate the City to fund any project or activity.
Please contact Assistant City Manager Jay Evans with any questions. |