Bike Trail Argument
Biller Essay November 2, 2009 Argument Essay Almost everyone enjoys taking a bicycle ride on a beautiful summer day. Many towns have wisely spent their money on building a bike trail. Mt. Pleasant, the town I live in, has never had a bike trail that I can remember of until recently. The town constructed a historical trail approximately fourteen miles long called the Coke and Coal Trail. Although it is a very grand trail already, it is still only new.
The serious issue at hand is the many problems that action has not been taken on such as dangerous fallen foliage on the track, flooding issues, lack of monuments, and the violations of motorized vehicles prohibited, as well as insufficient numbers of volunteers and donations. Throughout the Scottdale/Mount Pleasant communities, volunteers must be not only aware of the various needs of the bike trail upkeep but be ready and willing to actively and consistently participate in those needs. The Coke and Coal Trailoffers an array of benefits to everyone in the community which qualifies it to receive contributions from everyone in the community.
It is a peaceful and scenicgetaway. Furthermore, it is a place that can be enjoyed by people of all ages while benefiting them socially, mentally, and physically. The trail is also a place promoting unity between different people and places. Tom Balya, the commissioner of Westmoreland County, said “It’s nice that something like a bike trail can bring communities together. ” The trail would not be possible without everyone giving their time and effort. While many participants have already played a role in the trail’s successfulness, there are needs that remain unmet.
The trail is shaded by many graceful trees, however, after a rainstorm or very windy day many tree branches and logs are left lying on and around the trail causing an eventual problem. This could be a potential hazard to riders. A rider could easily fall off his bike and get injured because of loose tree branches or debris. This is especially a problem at dusk when a dark colored log is nearly impossible to decipher lying ahead of you. I suggest an assigned person or two, who has the time, concern and commitment, check and clean a specifiedpart of the track.
This could also apply to garbage such as bags, cans, and bottles thus keeping the trail safer, cleaner, and an asset by maintaining its natural beauty. Flooding can not only be an inconvenience but a true danger to anyone using the trail both forwalking or running. A calm and peaceful creekabundant with wildlife runs along the trail to one side. This creek rarely floods and is a perfect implement to the trail. It adds peacefulness and givesa quiet country feeling where all you hear is the smooth rippling of a steady stream.
However, on the other side, are big eyesores; poolsof sea-blue and orange polluted water. They are so close to the trail that they almost always flood leaving an orange die residue of sulfur behind on the trail when they recede. If there is a day when it really rains hard the swamps of sulfur and chemicals could make their way into the creek polluting and turning it into a lifeless, orange stream of sulfur. It is only a matter of time until this happens. So before spending money on any finishing touches the town should attempt to come up with an effective and cost friendly drainage system.
The town could always hold a contest to see who can come up with the best and most efficiently designed system as many neighborhoods inthe past have done. Matt Junker, Senator Bob Regola’s representative, and Regola himself see the need for major improvement. “The senator has dedicated himself to addressing the infrastructure of the area and ways that might be improved upon,” Junker said. The Coke and Coal Trail is a very historic landmark but it lacks in having any historic remembrance such as coke ovens, fact signs, or any monuments besides the unpleasant mountain of ashes.
The trail runs along certain areas where the major coal mining industries of the town were located. The Coal mining industries were said to have “fed” about thirty-thousand coke ovens! Where are they? Today there is no sign of any cokeovens. A couple coke ovens or even simple monuments could make the trail an interesting, informational, and more memorable spot. I believe there should also be a movement to add at least a couple of signs with facts on them as are on memorial highways, roads,and designated parks.
Although these improvements might cost a little bit of money they are going to make the trail more memorable, educational, and enhance its historical value. The motorized vehicle prohibition does not seem to be in very good order. I believe it is not strictly watched over enough. Many times I have been on the trail when young kids have been carelessly riding their dirt bikes and ATV’s on it. It is not safe for people, when these carless trespassers go flying by you because it could result in a bad injury if hit. It is just a disaster waiting to strike at any time.
By riding motorized vehicles on the trail it also becomes torn up and in many spots creates rutsunstable for a bicycle. There should be a young guard at several spots who watches for this activity or at least goes and checks to see that this kind of activity is not take place several times a day. As I have said before,the trail is only made possible by your contributions. Scottsdale’s mayor, Pat Walker, implied that there were two “magic” words necessary to the trail; money and volunteers. “We wouldn’t have this trail without either of them,” she said.
Another person by the name of Sias replied “Trails are all about partnership. ” “Including the in-kind services provided, we spent about $362,000 on this trail. ” Although the large majority of the trail is completed, the town is short of many volunteers to keep it a fun and enjoyable family and friends place. The Coke and Coal Trail has come a long way since it started and I hope it is not nearly close to being finishedyet. This trail, as I have said, is only able to grow and become the great landmark it should be by everyone pitching in either by giving money or their time and effort.
By simply devoting several hours of your time to the trail you will see a major change and will feel the excitement that comes from knowing you made a difference. You definitely will not be disappointed. I urge you to think of your own ways that might make great additions to these ideas. Contact representatives and see what you can do in volunteering. Ask if there are certain days when groups of volunteers meet and spend the afternoon cleaning or discussing problems and their suggestions. Speak out, make a lasting difference, and help a worthy cause!
