Photos from Rockport Trail Runs 2011

Go to Picasa https://picasaweb.google.com/117418298372827580030/RockportTrailRuns201102#

Race Results are posted on Active.com http://results.active.com/uploads/pdf/120564.pdf .

Rockport Trail Runs – October 29

Location: Rockport Park, 2801 West Rockport Road, Janesville, Wisconsin

4 Mile run on wide cross-country ski trails.

10K run is mostly on winding single-track mountain bike trails.

Both courses offer dirt trails with rolling hills  along streams and winding through the autumn woods.

8:30 am registration and packet pickup

10 am race

Door prizes and awards ceremony immediately following the runs.

Racers will find good quality performance shirts, lots of casual food at the finish, plenty of door prizes and lots of fun on natural trails!

Apply online at Active.com.

Children will enjoy the Peace Park playground adjacent to the run.  Plenty of room to climb and slide, the playground features a unique teepee design and paintings of Native American scenes.

Peace Trail Extended

Monday, June 27 the Janesville City Council voted to purchase the Morris 4.32 acre section of abandoned rail line.  We now have all the property from Janesville to Afton.  The council was aided in their decision by contributions of $10,000 from the Rock Trail Coalition and an unexptected, unsolicited and very generous $10,000 contribution from Agrecol of Evansville.  Agrecol is a grower and seller of native prairie seed and plants. http://www.agrecol.com/

A committee of Rock County, Beloit, Beloit Township and Janesville government and citizens is working on continuing the connections to Beloit and eventually to the northern Illinois trail system.

Extend the Peace Trail !! attend the city council meeting Monday night

Monday night the Janesville City Council will vote on the proposed purchase of the only missing piece of rail bed between Janesville and Afton.
The Peace Trail currently ends at Tripp Road near the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Rock Trail Coalition has worked with city, county and private property owners to secure the rail bed south to Afton and we are working with Beloit city, town and private individuals to extend the trail to Beloit.

But before we can get to Afton or Beloit we must get past Tripp Road.

The Missing Link has been turned down by the city council three times in the past.  We have worked on this parcel for 15 years.  We have a willing seller.  We have councilpersons who are supportive, but we can’t take anything for granted.
You can help by voting with your presence in the city council chambers Monday night.  Help extend the Peace Trail to Afton and then on to Beloit.

When:     7 pm   Monday, June 27

Where:   City Council Chambers, 18 N. Jackson Street, Janesville

What:     Attend the meeting  – Wear your Rock Trail Coalition t-shirt –  Show your support for filling in the missing link and extending the trail.

See you Monday night!

Friends of Rockport Park – Owl Hike

Join expert owl caller and naturalist Dave Bendlin and Friends of Rockport Park for a fun evening learning about Rockport Park trails after dark.

Meet at the Rockport Pool at 9 pm.  Friday, June 17.

Please pre-register via our very brief survey: <a href=”http://Click here to take survey” target=”_blank”>

Planting Prairie Seed along the Peace Trail

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

  Saturday, April 23 – Rock Trail Coalition members planted prairie seed in the burned areas along the Peace Trail south of Janesville.  Black-eyed Susan, Purple Milkweed, Yellow Coneflower, Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Sideoats Gama, Indian Grass, Switchgrass.

New Peace Trail Connection in the Works – Work Suspended Temporarily

The City of Janesville is fine-tuning the route for this trail connection.  RTC members are suspending work until the final route is determined and we get permission to resume clearing bruh.

We will be working on clearing new trail between Tripp Road and Cemetery Road each Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon for the next couple of weeks. 

Mondays             9 am to noon
Wednesdays      2:30 to 5:30

This week we are meeting at Robin Lane off of Afton Road.  It looks like someone’s driveway but we have access to reach the trail.  Pull in toward the rail road tracks and park on the right side of the drive back near the wood piles.

 The address is 3627 Afton Road (S County Rd D).  Please only use this access when we have work parties. [Note: the homeowner has nothing to do with this project so please do not block their drive or otherwise disturb them].

This is new trail which gets us around a privately owned piece and connects us with rest of the trail into Afton.  The focus of these work days is chain saws, brush mower, and loppers for trimming brush.  We need lots of hands for dragging brush as it is cut.  Our goal is to rough out the trail for heavier equipment which will do the really big stuff.  

 This trail section is considered ‘temporary’ until the private property is finally purchased by the city (it may be years).  However the property owner is working with us on this trail project.

The new trail is part of our overall goal of connecting Janesville and Beloit via the Peace Trail.

 Questions?  Call Dean 289-5672

Peace Trail Plowed This Morning

We plowed the Peace Trail from Jackson Street through Monterey Park and south to the end at Tripp Road.  Clearing the snow will allow the ice to melt in today’s nice warm sun.

TransAmerica Bike Ride

Thanks to Laura Carney for her wonderful presentation about her family’s transAmerica bike ride at tonight’s Rock Trail Coalition meeting. Here is the link to their blog where you can see all of the pictures and read the day by accounts.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/6703

Peace Trail Plowed – Candlelight Ski

Today, January 27, Rock Trail Coalition plowed the bike trail from Jackson Street, through Monterey Park, and the length of the Peace Trail to Tripp Road.  That makes about 5 miles of clear trail for runners, cyclists and dog walkers.

Reminder: Candlelight Ski is Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 pm at Rockport Park.  Join us for bonfire, hot refreshments and two miles of beautiful candlelit and groomed ski trails.

Rock Trail Coalition Meeting Schedule 2009

All meetings are Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the JOB Center, 1900 Center Avenue, Janesville.

February 19 — Brigit Brown, DNR Trails Coordinator

April 16 — Representatives from the Janesville Velo Club

June 18 — Outing: Tour of  Shackelford’s Fair Meadows Prairie

August 20 — Slide show of Acadia Nat’l Park, Maine

October 15 — Skip Drew – A Tale of Two Mountains.

December 3 — Long Distance Hiker speaker – either Ice Age or Appalachian Trail

This is a tentative list of speakers and topics. We’ll update this post as details become finalized.

Rock Trail Coalition Work Party

What: Trail Spring Cleaning
When:  Saturday, April 11 and Wednesday April 15; 9:00 a.m. both days
Where: Meet at Eau Claire Road
To reach this area, take Afton Road (County D) south from Rockport Road to Eau Claire Rd. Meet at the bridge at 9:00 a.m.

There are lots of trees down or partially down that need to be cleared away, so we can continue clearing the trail south to Beloit. While the trees are being cut up, other volunteers can clear the brush away.

Please bring loppers if you have them. Work gloves and boots are highly recommended.

Questions? Contact Dean at 289-5672

Rock Trail Coalition – Meeting Schedule Update

August 20 — cancelled due to Summer. Everyone is busy hiking, biking, running, canoeing and enjoying the outdoors - just as you should be.

September 26 – Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, Montana folk singer and long trail hiker (27,000 miles of wilderness walking) will present his Forever Wild multimedia wilderness program. 7 p.m. Parker High School Janesville.

October 15 — Slide show of Acadia Nat’l Park, Maine

December 3 — Skip Drew – A Tale of Two Mountains.

Candlelight Ski

Saturday, January 30.  6:30 p.m.

Rockport Park, Janesville, WI

2 miles of candlelit beauty under the full moon.

Donations gratefully accepted.

Rock Trail Coalition Meetings & Events 2010

February 18 – Speaker meeting, Skip Drew – Gannett Peak / Wind River JOBS Center, Room K

February 20 – Work Day – Janesville-Beloit Peace Trail (Buckthorn Eradication)

March 13 – Work Day – Janesville-Beloit Peace Trail – Afton section: widen and clear downed trees. Prep for rail crossing installation.

March 16 – 8 a.m. burn brush piles along Peace Trail.  Meet Fisher Creek trailhead.

April 3 - – Work Day – Janesville-Beloit Peace Trail (more Buckthorn Eradication)

April 15 – Speaker meeting - Steve Dean “Trails We’ve Traveled” JOBS Center, Room K

June 12 – Canoe Outing lead by Clara M.

August 21 – Activity/Outing   (TBD)

October 14 – Speaker Meeting – Tom & Rosie Kautz “European Hiking Trails”   JOBS Center, Room D&E

December 2 – Lon Halderman / Susan Notorangelo – long distance cycling program JOBS Center Room D&E

,

Bike to Work Week – Janesville

Join Rock Trail Coalition and the Janesville Velo Club May 17 – 21 for bike to work week. Bike to work or school.  Join the celebration on Bike to Work Day, 3 to 7  pm Friday at Palmer Park.
Join the kickoff at the Farmers Market Saturday morning May 15. Free bike check by Michael’s Cycles and group bike ride on the Kiwanis Trail.

Take a Hike!

Wednesday, July 7 the Ice Age Trail Walk Across Rock County comes to Janesville. Meet at the Ice Age Trail crossing at Curry Lane. This week’s hike is 2.9 miles.
Wednesday, July 14 the Walk continues with 4.5 mile hike. Meet at Dawson Field.
All hikes begin at 6 p.m. sharp.

Questions? Call Mike Guisleman Ice Age Trail Coordinator at 751-0678.

Walk Across Rock County – Wednesday, July 28

This week’s hike begins at the west end of the Devil’s Staircase. Meet at 6:00 p.m. at County E, North Washington street, at the end of the golf course. Park on the right near the railroad overpass. We will carpool to our end point at Cty H. Hike 4.9 miles to from E to H.  Most of the hike is along county road A.

Trim the Trail

MONDAY, July 12, Rock Trail Coalition members will Trim the Trail beginning at Rockport Road and following the Peace Trail south.  Meet at the boat launch at 9 a.m.  Bring loppers, if you have them, bug spray and gloves. 

 We will walk the trail and trim back the overhanging and encroaching vegetation.  You know, all that stuff that hits you in the face when you are riding your bike. 

 Walk, talk and lop.  This is one of our easiest  work parties ever!

See you then.

Rocktrail

1st Annual Rock River Sweep 7/31

Rock Trail Coalition helps maintain the 3 miles of the Rock River Parkway from Rockport Road south to Tripp Road.  The Rock River Sweep is a clean up of the river banks along the entire Rock River from Horicon to the Mississippi - all scheduled for the same day. 

Saturday, July 31.  We will walk the shoreline picking up trash. Garbage bags and some tools will be provided.  Bring boots, gloves, and long picker-uppers if you have them. 

Meet at parking plaza in downtown Janesville at 8 a.m. for instructions and supplies.  We will then drive to the boat launch on Afton Road (County D) just south of Rockport Road to begin our clean up.  Wear your Rock Trail Coalition volunteer shirt.

We will be working until 11:30 at the latest.

Questions? 289-5672

Rockport Trail Run – October 30

Friends of Rockport Park is hosting the 1st annual Rockport Trail Run on Saturday, October 30.  Join us for 4 miles of wide dirt trails in a beautiful natural park featuring forests, streams and fall colors. 

8 a.m. registration. 9 a.m. run.  Entry fee $25.  Apply at Active.com .  You must register by October 8 to be guaranteed a shirt.

Friends of Rockport Park helps maintain the park, builds mountain bike trails, and grooms cross country ski trails several times each winter.

Thanks to our sponsors: M&I Bank, Janesville Velo Club, Janesville City of Parks, Michaels Cycles, Kealey Pharmacy

Mocha Moment Fundraiser

Join us Sunday, November 7 at Mocha Moment coffee shop on 1211 Center Avenue in Janesville. Mocha Moment will be open from 7:30 am to 11:30 am and will donate 100% of their morning revenues to the Rock Trail Coalition.

Funds raised at this event will be used to continue the Peace Trail from Janesville to Afton and eventually to Beloit.

What’s better than building new bike trail by drinking coffee and eating pastry?

Road Bike Trail Connector Construction Begins August 23

City of Janesville press release:   Construction of a new section of bike/pedestrian trail on the northeast side of the City is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 23^rd and completed by the end of October. 

The Rotamer Road Connector is a 10-foot wide paved bike/pedestrian trail which will extend the Spring Brook Trail from the Wright Rd. /U.S. Hwy 14 intersection approximately 1.8 miles and link to an existing commercial shopping area.  It will terminate at a planned S.T. Hwy 26 pedestrian overpass connection at Tanglewood Dr., which is included in the currently programmed 2012 S.T. Hwy 26 improvements from Janesville to Watertown.  The trail alignment coincides with a planned section of the Ice Age Trail which runs through Janesville and will provide a critical link of Janesville’s eastside residential areas with a major eastside commercial area.  It will also provide a necessary link to a residential area on the northeast side of the city with the city’s existing 25 mile bike trail network. 

There will be a minimal amount of traffic disruption during this project.  Curb & gutter will be replaced to accommodate curb ramps at N. Wright Road & U.S. Hwy 14 and also on E. Rotamer Road at Tanglewood Drive. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times. 

The public is requested to exercise caution while construction activities are taking place within Briar Crest Park. Access between Briar Crest Park and Pine Tree Plaza will be restricted. 

For questions concerning the work, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Project Manager, Ryan Rudzinski, at 608-365-4464.

Speaker Meeting: Race Across America

Thursday, December 2 hear Lon Haldeman co-founder of the Great American Race (now called Race Across America, RAAM) talk about his two wins and four completions of this grueling coast to coast non-stop bicycle race.

This is also the Rock Trail Coalition annual meeting and election of officers.

The slate of officers for 2011:
President – Dean Paynter  Vice-President – Carolyn Brandeen    Secretary – Clara Marr   Treasurer – Mike Guisleman 
Director – Bob Schlegel      Trail Maintenance – Jerry Stankus     Publicity – Susan Rowe

6:30 p.m. Rock County JOBS Center 1900 Center Avenue, Janesville.  Everyone is invited.

Learn to Ski

Saturday, December 18 Brent Wesolek from Mercy Acceleration  sports training will provide a How to Classic Ski clinic at Rockport  Park in Janesville.  Brent has finished 17 Birkebeiners finishing as high as 45 overall.  He has 35 years of Nordic skiing experience.

The clinic will be from 1:30 to 2:30 by the pool parking lot.  The ski trails will be groomed Saturday morning so you can immediately put your new skills to use.  The clinic is free and open to the public.  Donations will be accepted.

Brent will do a How to Skate Ski clinic at Riverside Park at a future date.

Candlelight Ski postponed to January 29

Candlelight Ski at Rockport Park has been postponed until January 29 due to lack of snow and competition from the Packer game on Saturday night.

Rent skis at Leisure Services in Janesville.  18 North Jackson Street, Janesville 755-3025

Rent or purchase snowshoes at All Season Runner, 20 South Jackson Street, Janesville.

Rent skis at Backyard Bikes & Ski (the LaGrange store) east of Whitewater on Hwy 12 near the Kettle Moraine.

Rockport Park has marked snowshoe trails and groomed x-c ski trails.  Riverside Park has groomed x-c ski trails. 

Don’t forget to join us for Rockport Park’s Candlelight Ski (or hike if have no more snow) on January 29, 7 pm.

Rockport Trail Run – 2011 schedule

The Rockport Trail Run will be held Saturday, October 29 at Rockport Park 2801 Rockport Road.  This is the second year for this event.  We had a good turnout last year for our first year and we are looking forward to another great time in 2011.

Online registration will open mid-January at Active.com . 

See you in October!