Nonprofit outlines concept for mountain-bike trails at Sunfish Pond parcel

Grace Ann Ogle, a board member of Capital Off Road Pathfinders (Corp), presented a concept plan to the Village of DeForest Public Services Committee for mountain-bike trails on the parcel east of Sunfish Pond. "This is just a proposal," Ogle said. "Nothing in here is set in stone." She said Corp would seek community buy-in, formalize a recreational land‑use agreement with the village, and bring volunteers and financial resources to build and steward the trails.

Ogle described a concept of ringed trails around three forested lobes, with progressive skills parks in flatter central areas for youth practice, and riparian buffers to protect wetlands. She highlighted local demand, noting youth teams and independent riders currently travel outside the neighborhood to practice. The presenter said Corp already has five volunteers willing to serve as trail stewards if the project moves forward.

Board members probed access and routing. Staff and presenters discussed two primary access options: a lower-boardwalk route that would connect via Windsor's existing ridge and reduce the boardwalk length, and a closer trailhead that would require additional boardwalk but sit nearer public parking. Committee members urged outreach to neighbors where a trailhead could increase parking demand. Public-safety preparations — including mock emergency-response drills and 8–10-foot boardwalks sized to permit ATV access — were raised as prerequisites before opening deeper sections of the site.

Next steps described by Ogle include community outreach (tabling at upcoming events), Corp board approval to allocate funds, negotiation and execution of a recreational land‑use agreement, detailed wetland and trail routing work, and volunteer workdays to build each 0.25‑mile increment of trail. If the village signals support, Ogle said Corp would move to legal negotiations and then phased marking and construction.