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Advocates push Aspen to fund skills trail at Merault Thomas; RFMBA cites community survey support
Summary
Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association representatives urged the council to include the Aspen Skills Trail at Merault Thomas Open Space in the 2025 budget, said RFMBA will bring matching funds and cited a city survey showing 84% and 85% support for trail benefits.
Mike Pritchard of the Horn Fork Mountain Bike Association (speaking for partner groups including RFMBA) described the Aspen Skills Trail proposal at Merault Thomas Open Space and told council that the Open Space and Trails Board recommended implementation in 2025 contingent on matching funds. He summarized the public outreach and surveys done in 2021–23 and said the city-parks proposal for 2025 budget funding is under consideration. "Do you think these new trails would enhance you or your family's outdoor experience? 84% responded yes," Pritchard said, citing the 2023 survey.
Pritchard explained staff and OST board vetting of site-specific design, topography and drainage requirements and said alternative private sites (for example on ski-company land) would not replicate the same youth-oriented accessibility and paved-path connectivity. Councilors asked about location constraints and comparative feasibility; Pritchard said topography and existing paved paths make Merault Thomas the most suitable site for the described skills-trail design.
