Huntsville agrees to renew contract for bike trails at Hidden Valley
Huntsville General Committee agreed to renew a contract for bike trails at Hidden Valley in the February 26, 2025, meeting.
According to the staff report, “In 2020 the Town entered into agreements with Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association [HMBA] for the purpose of the use of publicly accessible mountain bike trails.” The Town’s partnership ensures public access to the mountain bike trail.
It adds, “If private lands were utilized and the Town was not included, the trails would be privately operated, and users would most likely be charged a fee or have access only through membership options.”
The agreement states that Hidden Valley, being the owner of the trails, “has agreed to lease certain trails located on the lands to the Town for use as recreational mountain bike and hiking trails,” for $1.00 annually or $5.00 for the term.
Staff recommended the renewal of the agreement because it’s slated to end this August. The new 5-year agreement will be applicable for the period of August 2025 until August 2030.
A new clause was included in the agreement allowing the HMBA to get approval from staff for special events, such as the Endura race event last year, rather than proposing them individually to Council. However, each event will have an agreement in place that will be approved by the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer.
The agreement also includes that the HMBA will be responsible for signage for the trail area, ensuring the trails are kept clean and sanitary, and for maintenance.
According to the staff report, “The Town shall obtain and maintain during the currency of this Trail Lease General Liability insurance satisfactory to Hidden Valley, with Hidden valley added as an additional insured, in an amount of not less than $5,000,000,00.”
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, said, “This is one of those creative agreements that creates publicly funded trails.”
