COGGS Newsletter June 2020

Some brand new, tasty trail opening soon in a forest near you!

Photo Credit: Alex Rohde / Trail Logic LLC

Safe Trails: COVID-19 Protocols

Twin Ports trails have been busy this spring. Given that the coronavirus (COVID-19) isn't going anywhere anytime soon, it bears reiterating the basic trail user protocols and noting some available resources. It can be challenging to keep your distance on a narrow trail, but here are some tips.

COGGS Spring Member Drive Generates Funds for Twin Ports Businesses

COGGS has been supported by the local business community since the beginning. In light of the COVID-related challenges many of our local businesses are facing, the COGGS board of directors felt compelled to do something. We donated 100% of our spring membership drive proceeds to the Entrepreneur Fund during the month of May. We had an incredible show of support, and generated nearly $7K for local businesses. Membership is critical to our organization, and we gained 150 new/returning members. Thank you for your support!

Summer 2020 Trail Builds & Updates

What's COGGS up to for trail builds this summer? Here's an overview of the contracted and volunteer build/maintenance plans.

Contracted Builds:

UMD/Bagley Nature Area connector trail: Trail Logic is currently building new trail. Expected completion July. Until the trail is open, no bikes are allowed in Bagley.
Craft Connector: Rock Solid Trail contracting currently building new trail.
Bellevue - connector between Quarry and Brewer - no start date yet
Twin Ponds and Haines Road gaps - no start date yet
Porcupine Passage at Mission Creek - no start date yet

Volunteer Builds and Maintenance:

Downer Park loop above Vermillion road - in progress
Hartley Guardrail blow down loop - open and riding great
Ely's Peak Loop - in progress
System-wide trail repairs, maintenance, weed whipping, trimming, enhancement

Adopt a Section of the Duluth Traverse

Consider adopting your very own section of the Duluth Traverse! COGGS has identified 23 different sections along the entire Duluth Traverse ranging in length from roughly 1-2 miles. Most sections can be maintained by one person, but this is also a great opportunity for sponsoring businesses, an organization or a group of people.

This trail work includes:

Weed whipping - Flexible time requirements. Equipment and training provided.
Trail corridor clearing - debris pickup, moving small rocks, small fallen branches/trees, etc.
Leaf blowing - September/October/November timeframe. Flexible time requirements. Equipment and training provided.

This is an excellent way to get yourself, your team, or your family outdoors and perform some critical volunteer work. This work is a safe and enjoyable trail experience.

Email coordinator@coggs.com for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities Need You

There are plenty of excellent volunteer opportunities with COGGS this summer. This is your invitation to get involved with COGGS and support the trails you know and love.

Level 1: Flexible, low requirement volunteer opportunities:

Weed whipping - Equipment and training provided.
Trail corridor clearing - debris pickup, moving small rocks, small fallen branches/trees, etc.
Leaf blowing - Fall 2020. Equipment and training provided.
Volunteer trail crew - building and maintenance one night per week for a few hours. Crews work at locations across town.

Level 2: Join a project: Current Committee Positions

Committees are organized around special projects and meet 1x or 2x monthly.

Marketing Committee
Grant Writing Committee
Duluth Traverse Gala Organizing Committee 2021
Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival Committee

Level 3: Make an impact: Current Board Position Openings

These are critical roles that help define and guide our organization. The COGGS board is highly functioning, organized and friendly. Board terms are 2 to 3 years. Board meetings are 1x monthly.