Why Trails Matter Greg Cavanaugh

Why Trails Matter: the case for more than just fun

Let's Consider the Future

As an officer of Gallup Trails, our local non-profit trail advocacy association, I am directly making the case to you, the Gallup Journey reader, for the immediate investment and development of trails in Gallup. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s what’s essential. The explosion of outdoor activity and the subsequent run on all things outdoors (try to buy a bike right now, I dare you) simply hits home the essential nature of... nature. And boy, are we lucky to have the nature we do. I moved to Gallup almost 20 years ago and much like everyone else’s story, fell in love with the people and the terrain, finding friends immediately in a group of guys that ride their bikes in the dirt and go up hills...on purpose! Any trip to McGaffey though is not only for the most dedicated of riders, but the forest is full of all manner of riders now, from young to old, beginner to expert.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, there are names that likely resonate: Moab, Sedona, Whistler, etc… These are places you go, the “Meccas” of their respective genre. It’s natural to assume, however, they weren’t always that way. Frankly, Sedona is so popular now with mountain bikers (and hikers) that I suspect people would call me crazy if I told them of how I went there in 2003 to ride, and couldn’t find a good trail to even warrant the trip and all the restaurants closed by like 9pm….but that was a different issue! But there are other names too, Bentonville, Arkansas, Ashville, North Carolina and Crosby, Minnesota. What’s the common thread here? These are the places that didn’t simply view trails as fun, or as a health asset, but as full-blown economic initiatives with a significant ROI! (that’s right, I’m speaking your language on purpose, money people). Bentonville, Arkansas, with stout investment from the Walton family, turned $70 million into an annual return of $120 million! And, most importantly, have declared themselves the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World!”

A quick google search is all it takes to find countless articles and

studies on the economic impact of trail development. To save you some time, I’ll just summarize a few more beyond the wunderkind that is Bentonville:

1. Studies show that trails exceed amenities like golf courses and pools as priorities for home buyers and at significantly lower initial cost and legacy maintenance costs. 2. Crosby, Minnesota, once a dying mining town, is now projected to bring in $21 million a year after investing in trails. 3. The Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina saw the limitations of relying solely on their casino for economic viability and invested in Fire Mountain, their free public bike park. It’s now a jewel of the region, a staple economic driver, and they’re expanding. 4. Oakridge, Oregon now brings in $5 million a year through its trail networks after its lumber mill closed. 5. The Kingdom Trails of rural Northwest Vermont produce direct expenditures of $8 million a year to an area with little other economic opportunities. 6. Anniston, Alabama estimates $1.3-$3.8 million yearly from its 100 mile trail investment of Coldwater Mountain.

So how does this apply to Gallup? As an officer of Gallup Trails we see a hole in our market. While many have worked hard for more than a decade to create incredible trail opportunities, they rest either in the National Forest or on private land around Gallup. As we continue to develop trails in McGaffey, (with the next phase being the incredible McKenzie ridge project) we are short changing ourselves by not piggy backing off the McGaffey network and developing trails in town. Most importantly we need to ensure the access to those trails for the betterment of our great city and its citizens. The time is now! We are at a pivotal moment where if we don’t work to put the land around Gallup to use for the incredible recreational opportunities that are such low hanging fruit, we will lose them for generations to come. This is about the future of Gallup, and that window is closing. We have a city pool and a city golf course. While there are certainly proponents and opponents of those amenities, the reality is the data shows that trails far exceed the impact of them for much lower cost upfront and over the long term. I’m an all-of- the-above guy, let’s keep watering grass in the desert, but let’s also get shovels in the dirt!

As the saying goes, “Communities build trails, and trails build community!” If you see the value of trails in our area and want to help promote and forward the cause, consider joining/ volunteering with groups like Gallup Trails, and Adventure Gallup & Beyond, but most importantly, make your voice heard to city counselors, city leaders, county officials, state and federal legislators and representatives, etc… The time is now, before later is too late to be now. -Greg Cavanaugh, Secretary of Gallup Trails

Sources: Mountain Flyer Magazine, Singletracks magazine, PinkBike.com, IMBA