FAST Awarded Grant Funding for the Development of Trails at Great Bear
For Immediate Release
Falls Area Singletrack (FAST) Awarded Grant Funding for the Development of Trails at Great Bear
(SIOUX FALLS, So. Dak., July 20, 2023) — Falls Area Singletrack (FAST) is pleased to announce they have been awarded grant funding from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Accelerator Grant program for trail concept and design plans at Great Bear. In the 2022 fiscal year, FAST was one of ten organizations awarded the grant and will receive $25,000 in match funding to help bring more trails to the Sioux Falls area. The project's anticipated completion will be by 2025 to cap off their 25 by 25 initiative, twenty-five miles of trail by 2025.
IMBA’s Trail Accelerator grant fund is a competitive grant offering for communities with visions of transformational model trail systems that need extra support to realize that vision. Awarded projects must show strong partnerships between local leaders, government entities, land managers, property owners, community groups, and mountain bike or trail organizations such as IMBA Local partners like FAST.
Recipients of the IMBA Trail Accelerator grant partner with IMBA Trail Solutions for professional trail planning and consultation that will help FAST provide public outreach, fundraising support, planning and sustainable design for the local terrain.
“Residents have long valued Great Bear for its winter activities but have wanted to see the park expand its recreational options to include the summer season,” said FAST President Ben Blomberg.
“From Leaders Park and Tuthill Park to the Riverbank Singletrack and most recently Dunham & Legacy Park, FAST trails have infused new life into our parks and provided new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to Sioux Falls,” said Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Ten Haken, ”The partnership between FAST and the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department has provided widespread benefits to residents and visitors to our community. As Sioux Falls continues to experience rapid growth, we continue to see the need for more diverse opportunities for outdoor recreation. FAST has opened the door for singletrack in Sioux Falls, and the Great Bear multi-use singletrack project will be the perfect opportunity that will benefit many and leave a lasting impact.”
"We at Great Bear Management, Inc. are excited to work with FAST and the City of Sioux Falls to continue improving the 220-acre park, making it a go-to destination for year-round, outdoor fun," Alexa Jerstad, Great Bear Management, Inc. Director of Communications.
The project, led by FAST, aims to add up to seven miles of bike-optimized trails for all levels beyond the existing hiking trail experiences. The proximity to town will offer a quick connection for residents, providing year-round recreational opportunities. The overall goal is to bring more trails close to home. The increased local access will offer health benefits to residents, bring trail recreation to places with limited access or none, and offer opportunities for youth to get outdoors. As the area works toward creating a high school racing league, the site could host youth and other events while bringing economic benefit to the town and preserving natural lands surrounded by industry.
Follow Along
https://www.fallsareasingletrack.org/trails/great-bear
Donations
To donate to the Great Bear project, visit our website at: fallsareasingletrack.org/donate
FAST 25 by 25 initiative
To learn more about the FAST 25 x 25 initiative, visit: fallsareasingletrack.org/25by25
About Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST)
FAST is a not-for-profit recreational trail building and management organization with a mission to protect, create and enhance quality trail experiences for mountain bikers in cooperation with other trail users in the Sioux Falls area. FAST actively promotes responsible trail use, supports volunteer trail work, assists land managers with trail management issues, and improves relations among all trail user groups.
Since 2010, FAST has fostered a partnership with the City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department to build and maintain singletrack trails in multiple city parks. To date, FAST actively manages and maintains over 16 miles of single track, and its footprint continues to grow. FAST currently has over 150 active members and contributors to its organization and has over 3,115 followers on social media.
About IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) creates, enhances, and protects great places to ride mountain bikes, focused on creating more trails close to home to grow the quantity and quality of mountain bike trail communities across the U.S. so everyone can access close-to-home rides and iconic backcountry experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been the worldwide leader in mountain bike advocacy and the only organization focused entirely on trails and access for all types of mountain bikers in all parts of the U.S. IMBA teaches and encourages low-impact riding, grassroots advocacy, sustainable trail design, innovative land management practices, and cooperation among trail user groups. IMBA U.S. is a national network of local groups, individual riders, and passionate volunteers working together to benefit the entire community.
Contact
Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST)
PO Box 90144
Sioux Falls, SD 57109
fallsareasingletrack@gmail.com
fallsareasingletrack.org
Follow Along: https://www.fallsareasingletrack.org/trails/great-bear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FallsAreaSingletrack
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fallsareasingletrack/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fast_inc
Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/FAST-SD
Media Inquiries
Reva Graves
Communications Director
Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST)
fallsareasingletrack@gmail.com
Brad Blomberg
Secretary
Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST)
bblomberg@mediaone.com
Alexa Jerstad
Director of Communications
Great Bear Ski Valley
ajerstad@greatbearpark.com
