Thank you for taking the time to review and reconsider the county code at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. By now it is clear that bikes don't pollute, or disturb wildlife more than any other user group. And changing the code to allow biking will have no impact on the natural environment as the trails are already there. It is inaccurate to say that Ragged is 1 of only 2 places for hiker-only outdoor experience. There are roughly 74 miles of pedestrian only trails in all of Albemarle County on 17,122 acres. 22 of those miles are close to Charlottesville (Monroe Highlands, Sugar Hollow, Ivy Creek and this includes the 7.5 miles of hiker-only trails currently at Ragged). At the end of the day the mountain bike community supports happy hikers. We all agree that preserving natural areas is important and collaboration within the user groups makes our community stronger. Please take this under advisement and amend the county code to allow for a single 6.5 mile shared-use trail at the reservoir.
I am a retired, 69 year-old, lifelong resident of albemarle county, and enjoy mountain biking and hiking in the nearby city, county, and private trails. Please change the county code to allow shared use of the outer 6.5 mile loop at ragged mountain. The ban against biking has no environmental benefit and only serves to favor one outdoor activity over another. Shared use of the outer trail and hiker only use of the inner trail is a no-nonsense solution to this contested issue. Please get it done
Dear Board of supervisors, I am a lifelong resident of Albemarle County. One of my main considerations in continuing to reside here is our abundant access to nature through parks and recreation areas in close proximity to where I live and work. I appreciate your vote to revisit the decision surrounding trail use at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Upholding an outdated code with unsubstantiated claims is not in the best interest of the community, and not what the overwhelming majority of your constituents want. Granting exclusive rights and access to a limited group of users (birdwatchers and walkers) is more closely aligned with a country club than a recreation area that allows all members of the community to enjoy nature in the manner they choose.
I'm an Albemarle Country resident and father of two (9 and 12). My family and I have hiked, run, biked, paddled, and fished in the Reservoir area for years and our lives are happier and healthier because of it. As I understand it the recommendations and experience over the past ten years suggests that shared use does substantially negatively impact the area and I strongly believe that areas like the reservoir should be oriented towards shared use with a partnership between different user groups including cyclists, hikers, walkers, runners, boaters, and fishers of all ages. Access to areas like this promotes partnership and cooperation in the community and substantially enriches the lives of those who live in Albemarle County through better access to the outdoors helps the country and city lean on volunteer orgs who stand ready to support the infrastructure of recreational areas and participate in well thought out community planning.
It is important that our local governments be willing to change ordinances if they are out of date and harmful. That is the case with this Ragged Mountain reservoir situation. Providing access to the natural world is important, especially if we want the next generation to care about such things. Trails and bikes are powerful tools that allow children to care about the natural world and become stewards; while building skills and confidence. As a former Park Ranger with the National Park Service I have seen first hand runners, hikers and bikers sharing the land together while also caring for it. I have also seen the opposite. We need more access, not less. We also need a plan to manage that access. Please change the ordinance so we can start working on that plan!
I am an Albemarle County resident for 18+ years, and our family of 6 loves to visit Ragged Mountain very regularly! Its proximity to town and safe / easy access make it an ideal spot for being in nature as a regular part of our week. We have enjoyed many activities there, including hiking, running, biking, and hammocking. Since the current rules now disallow most of those activities, we ask that you please change the rules to permit broad shared use of the Ragged Mountain area! There are many thoughtful options on the table to provide shared use in a way that preserves the experience for different types of users, e.g., providing a single loop for biking with other trails reserved for foot traffic only. Please update the rules to allow broad use of this amazing place by as many of our residents as possible!
I am an Albemarle County resident who has treasured and frequently used the trails at Ragged Mountain for running, biking, and hiking. Please reconsider the restrictions on biking and running in the area. I am a relatively new to Charlottesville, and as an avid trail runner it has provided a very safe space for me to run, which is hard to find as a woman who frequently runs alone. I consistently run the entirety of the trail loop, and out of the dozens of times I have run this loop, I can probably count on two hands the number of people I have encountered on the far end of the loop from the parking lot, and those people are almost always runners and bikers. Limiting the area to only walking will cause those who cherish that side of the trails to lose frequent access to it, and will cause the trails to overgrown with misuse without heavy maintenance, eventually lending them inaccessible to anyone. Please reconsider the motion to ban running and biking in the area.
I’m a Charlottesville resident and formerly would run trails at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir. It really does not make any sense that there is, as I am understanding this, a distinction being made between “hiking” which is permitted, and “jogging” which is evidently not permitted based on the recent signage to this effect. So, basically this is distinction based only on speed of pedestrian travel, which is impossible to accurately permit or not permit. Some people run at the speed that others would hike, for instance. Making a rule eliminating fast pedestrians is discriminatory and profoundly unfair. Running or jogging usually means less environmental disruption anyway because the person is covering ground faster than hiking. Please reconsider the recent ruling to permit neither trail running nor biking; the only outcome of this ruling is that people are not going to be able to enjoy the reservoir and spend time in nature there in the ways they would like.
The Ragged Mountain Reservoir has been an amazing area for multi-use recreational activities since its reopening. While the original legislation had the best of intentions to preserve a natural area, the reasoning behind it is outdated as studies and evidence have shown that the banned activities do not have the harmful effects on the environment as originally thought. In the case of Ragged Mountain, this has been shown empirically as the community has responsibly utilized the area for a variety of activities for several years. Moreso, CAMBC is well known for giving back significantly to trails such as Ragged Mountain by helping to build and maintain the trails for everyone to enjoy. It would be extremely unfortunate if Charlottesville lost this gem of a resource, but I have faith that the right people will carefully consider the situation and make the correct decision.
Hi,
I am a homeowner in the city of Charlottesville, previous homeowner in Albemarle, outdoor enthusiast, and mountain biker. Please consider allowing mountain biking at Ragged Mountain. I’ve been there many times and have really enjoyed the trails and accessibility to the city. I feel like it is one of the few places nearby that is appropriate for beginner mountain bikers. I have never had a negative experience with other people- hiking or biking. I’ve also hiked there many times with my kids and family. We have encountered mountain bikers, and everyone is courteous and respectful. I urge you to consider keeping Ragged Mountain Reservoir a place for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, at all ages and stages, to enjoy- hikers and mountain bikers.
My 10 year old daughter and I spoke at the last BOS meeting where shared access to Ragged Mountain was discussed. We spoke in support of shared use access. Since then, living in the southern part of the city we have struggled to mountain bike together. We’ve struggled because the only other mountain bike trails accessible to her skill level are at Preddy Creek which is a 80-minute round trip commute. Making the loop around Ragged Mountain multi-use would allow so many families like mine to have access to kid-friendly trails in the direct city area, promoting healthy lifestyles and an appreciation of natural spaces. Please please please change the ordinance to allow a multi-use loop and hiker only trail access to ragged mountain reservoir! Thank you.
Dear Board - I am a county resident that has enjoyed riding the trails at the reservoir over the years and have been very disappointed in your decision to restrict access to the trails. The trails are scenic and great for a wide variety of riders, from kids to adults and it would be a mistake to eliminate biking there. Other communities, including Roanoke, have proven that bike trails near public water sources have no impact on water quality, and Charlottesville should make note of their experience. I hope you will vote to allow biking on the trails at Ragged.
As a volunteer coach with Albermarle High School, I would ask the board to please allow biking on designated trails under the Master Park Plan already spelled out by the city. Ragged Mountain is a remarkable area for all types of non-motorized recreation for users of all ability levels. This was a key resource for every family in the region, as a safe place to ride in nature with trails accessible for younger riders. Study after study showcases that biking does disturb wildlife or cause trail erosion/water quality concerns at a greater rate than hiking. The new man-made dam was completed just a decade ago, interstate 64 bisects the RMNA property, and canoeing and fishing are allowed directly in the reservoir. The decision to ban biking seems like an arbitrary line that detracts from the goals of building an outdoor community to foster exploration, engagement, and preservation of the beautiful environment we live in in Albermarle/Charlottesville.
As a longtime County resident who hikes several times a week at Ragged Mtn. Reservoir, I strongly support changing the County Code to permit running and biking at Ragged.
The experts who manage the reservoir have said unequivocally that expanding trail usage will have no adverse effect on the water supply. The existing trail network can comfortably accommodate both hiking-only and shared-use trails. During the period when bikes were allowed, I only occasionally encountered mountain bikers. And when I did, they were uniformly polite, respectful, and responsible.
There is plenty of room for all users to enjoy this natural area without disturbing either wildlife or the environment. In fact, CAMBC has been an essential partner in the City's effort to reduce erosion and make the trails at Ragged more sustainable.
Your constituents overwhelmingly support allowing biking and running at Ragged. Doing so will expand opportunities for healthful recreation. It's time to amend the Code.
My family and I are longtime Albemarle County residents. Ragged Mountain is such a wonderful asset to our community and I ask that the County change the current code regarding allowed usage at Ragged Mountain to be inclusive of multiple uses such as running and mountain biking.
I'm an Albemarle County resident and a regular user of the Ragged Mountain trails as a trail runner, biker, and hiker. The trails provide a wonderful local access point for a large portion of your community to safely play, explore, and engage with nature. In no way does mountain biking degrade the water quality for residents. The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority has stated this in writing at least two times.
As a county resident, I urge you to change the code to allow continued access by all user groups including mountain bikers.
I am respectfully asking that the supervisors do not open Ragged Mountain Reservoir up to bikers. This natural area is too precious and unique to open to bikers that are very likely to go off trail and tear up the undergrowth of the area. They already have many places in Albemarle County to pursue their sport, but Albemarle County only has 2 natural areas, Ragged Mountain being one of them. The special nature of the area, with its rich soils and unusual birds should be celebrated and preserved, not turned into a high volume speedway. There will be many comments wanting bikes at the reservoir. Who will speak up for the animals and plants that exist in their fragile environment? An environment that has been maintained as natural area is in danger of being overrun with bikes to please the strong bike lobby. They should bike elsewhere. Please vote NO to allowing bikes at the reservoir.
Thank you,
Sally Tucker
1171 Pounding Creek Road
Charlottesville VA 22903
I am an avid hiker who loves frequenting the 74 miles of pedestrian only trails in Albemarle County - in addition to the National Park. I got into mountain biking as an adult, and Ragged Mountain Reservoir provided a safe and beginner-friendly place for me to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. It is a gem in this community to be shared by all. Thank you for considering changing the code to allow shared use on the 6.5 mile loop.
Yes, I support all recreational non motorized uses for Ragged Mountain. Including Mountain Biking and Running. Please consider changing the code to accommodate the wants of the voters your represent.
My family loved biking on the trails at Ragged Mt. We were disappointed to learn of the closure and hope that the board will listen to the community's wishes regarding reopening the trails. Our hope is that everyone can use the trails responsibly, respect the environment, and foster more engagement with our shared outdoor spaces. Thank you for listening to the community.
Thank you for taking the time to review and reconsider the county code at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. By now it is clear that bikes don't pollute, or disturb wildlife more than any other user group. And changing the code to allow biking will have no impact on the natural environment as the trails are already there. It is inaccurate to say that Ragged is 1 of only 2 places for hiker-only outdoor experience. There are roughly 74 miles of pedestrian only trails in all of Albemarle County on 17,122 acres. 22 of those miles are close to Charlottesville (Monroe Highlands, Sugar Hollow, Ivy Creek and this includes the 7.5 miles of hiker-only trails currently at Ragged). At the end of the day the mountain bike community supports happy hikers. We all agree that preserving natural areas is important and collaboration within the user groups makes our community stronger. Please take this under advisement and amend the county code to allow for a single 6.5 mile shared-use trail at the reservoir.
I am a retired, 69 year-old, lifelong resident of albemarle county, and enjoy mountain biking and hiking in the nearby city, county, and private trails. Please change the county code to allow shared use of the outer 6.5 mile loop at ragged mountain. The ban against biking has no environmental benefit and only serves to favor one outdoor activity over another. Shared use of the outer trail and hiker only use of the inner trail is a no-nonsense solution to this contested issue. Please get it done
Dear Board of supervisors, I am a lifelong resident of Albemarle County. One of my main considerations in continuing to reside here is our abundant access to nature through parks and recreation areas in close proximity to where I live and work. I appreciate your vote to revisit the decision surrounding trail use at Ragged Mountain Reservoir. Upholding an outdated code with unsubstantiated claims is not in the best interest of the community, and not what the overwhelming majority of your constituents want. Granting exclusive rights and access to a limited group of users (birdwatchers and walkers) is more closely aligned with a country club than a recreation area that allows all members of the community to enjoy nature in the manner they choose.
I'm an Albemarle Country resident and father of two (9 and 12). My family and I have hiked, run, biked, paddled, and fished in the Reservoir area for years and our lives are happier and healthier because of it. As I understand it the recommendations and experience over the past ten years suggests that shared use does substantially negatively impact the area and I strongly believe that areas like the reservoir should be oriented towards shared use with a partnership between different user groups including cyclists, hikers, walkers, runners, boaters, and fishers of all ages. Access to areas like this promotes partnership and cooperation in the community and substantially enriches the lives of those who live in Albemarle County through better access to the outdoors helps the country and city lean on volunteer orgs who stand ready to support the infrastructure of recreational areas and participate in well thought out community planning.
It is important that our local governments be willing to change ordinances if they are out of date and harmful. That is the case with this Ragged Mountain reservoir situation. Providing access to the natural world is important, especially if we want the next generation to care about such things. Trails and bikes are powerful tools that allow children to care about the natural world and become stewards; while building skills and confidence. As a former Park Ranger with the National Park Service I have seen first hand runners, hikers and bikers sharing the land together while also caring for it. I have also seen the opposite. We need more access, not less. We also need a plan to manage that access. Please change the ordinance so we can start working on that plan!
Thank you,
Tommy Safranek
I am an Albemarle County resident for 18+ years, and our family of 6 loves to visit Ragged Mountain very regularly! Its proximity to town and safe / easy access make it an ideal spot for being in nature as a regular part of our week. We have enjoyed many activities there, including hiking, running, biking, and hammocking. Since the current rules now disallow most of those activities, we ask that you please change the rules to permit broad shared use of the Ragged Mountain area! There are many thoughtful options on the table to provide shared use in a way that preserves the experience for different types of users, e.g., providing a single loop for biking with other trails reserved for foot traffic only. Please update the rules to allow broad use of this amazing place by as many of our residents as possible!
I am an Albemarle County resident who has treasured and frequently used the trails at Ragged Mountain for running, biking, and hiking. Please reconsider the restrictions on biking and running in the area. I am a relatively new to Charlottesville, and as an avid trail runner it has provided a very safe space for me to run, which is hard to find as a woman who frequently runs alone. I consistently run the entirety of the trail loop, and out of the dozens of times I have run this loop, I can probably count on two hands the number of people I have encountered on the far end of the loop from the parking lot, and those people are almost always runners and bikers. Limiting the area to only walking will cause those who cherish that side of the trails to lose frequent access to it, and will cause the trails to overgrown with misuse without heavy maintenance, eventually lending them inaccessible to anyone. Please reconsider the motion to ban running and biking in the area.
I’m a Charlottesville resident and formerly would run trails at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir. It really does not make any sense that there is, as I am understanding this, a distinction being made between “hiking” which is permitted, and “jogging” which is evidently not permitted based on the recent signage to this effect. So, basically this is distinction based only on speed of pedestrian travel, which is impossible to accurately permit or not permit. Some people run at the speed that others would hike, for instance. Making a rule eliminating fast pedestrians is discriminatory and profoundly unfair. Running or jogging usually means less environmental disruption anyway because the person is covering ground faster than hiking. Please reconsider the recent ruling to permit neither trail running nor biking; the only outcome of this ruling is that people are not going to be able to enjoy the reservoir and spend time in nature there in the ways they would like.
The Ragged Mountain Reservoir has been an amazing area for multi-use recreational activities since its reopening. While the original legislation had the best of intentions to preserve a natural area, the reasoning behind it is outdated as studies and evidence have shown that the banned activities do not have the harmful effects on the environment as originally thought. In the case of Ragged Mountain, this has been shown empirically as the community has responsibly utilized the area for a variety of activities for several years. Moreso, CAMBC is well known for giving back significantly to trails such as Ragged Mountain by helping to build and maintain the trails for everyone to enjoy. It would be extremely unfortunate if Charlottesville lost this gem of a resource, but I have faith that the right people will carefully consider the situation and make the correct decision.
Hi,
I am a homeowner in the city of Charlottesville, previous homeowner in Albemarle, outdoor enthusiast, and mountain biker. Please consider allowing mountain biking at Ragged Mountain. I’ve been there many times and have really enjoyed the trails and accessibility to the city. I feel like it is one of the few places nearby that is appropriate for beginner mountain bikers. I have never had a negative experience with other people- hiking or biking. I’ve also hiked there many times with my kids and family. We have encountered mountain bikers, and everyone is courteous and respectful. I urge you to consider keeping Ragged Mountain Reservoir a place for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, at all ages and stages, to enjoy- hikers and mountain bikers.
My 10 year old daughter and I spoke at the last BOS meeting where shared access to Ragged Mountain was discussed. We spoke in support of shared use access. Since then, living in the southern part of the city we have struggled to mountain bike together. We’ve struggled because the only other mountain bike trails accessible to her skill level are at Preddy Creek which is a 80-minute round trip commute. Making the loop around Ragged Mountain multi-use would allow so many families like mine to have access to kid-friendly trails in the direct city area, promoting healthy lifestyles and an appreciation of natural spaces. Please please please change the ordinance to allow a multi-use loop and hiker only trail access to ragged mountain reservoir! Thank you.
Dear Board - I am a county resident that has enjoyed riding the trails at the reservoir over the years and have been very disappointed in your decision to restrict access to the trails. The trails are scenic and great for a wide variety of riders, from kids to adults and it would be a mistake to eliminate biking there. Other communities, including Roanoke, have proven that bike trails near public water sources have no impact on water quality, and Charlottesville should make note of their experience. I hope you will vote to allow biking on the trails at Ragged.
As a volunteer coach with Albermarle High School, I would ask the board to please allow biking on designated trails under the Master Park Plan already spelled out by the city. Ragged Mountain is a remarkable area for all types of non-motorized recreation for users of all ability levels. This was a key resource for every family in the region, as a safe place to ride in nature with trails accessible for younger riders. Study after study showcases that biking does disturb wildlife or cause trail erosion/water quality concerns at a greater rate than hiking. The new man-made dam was completed just a decade ago, interstate 64 bisects the RMNA property, and canoeing and fishing are allowed directly in the reservoir. The decision to ban biking seems like an arbitrary line that detracts from the goals of building an outdoor community to foster exploration, engagement, and preservation of the beautiful environment we live in in Albermarle/Charlottesville.
As a longtime County resident who hikes several times a week at Ragged Mtn. Reservoir, I strongly support changing the County Code to permit running and biking at Ragged.
The experts who manage the reservoir have said unequivocally that expanding trail usage will have no adverse effect on the water supply. The existing trail network can comfortably accommodate both hiking-only and shared-use trails. During the period when bikes were allowed, I only occasionally encountered mountain bikers. And when I did, they were uniformly polite, respectful, and responsible.
There is plenty of room for all users to enjoy this natural area without disturbing either wildlife or the environment. In fact, CAMBC has been an essential partner in the City's effort to reduce erosion and make the trails at Ragged more sustainable.
Your constituents overwhelmingly support allowing biking and running at Ragged. Doing so will expand opportunities for healthful recreation. It's time to amend the Code.
My family and I are longtime Albemarle County residents. Ragged Mountain is such a wonderful asset to our community and I ask that the County change the current code regarding allowed usage at Ragged Mountain to be inclusive of multiple uses such as running and mountain biking.
Hello Board of Supervisors,
I'm an Albemarle County resident and a regular user of the Ragged Mountain trails as a trail runner, biker, and hiker. The trails provide a wonderful local access point for a large portion of your community to safely play, explore, and engage with nature. In no way does mountain biking degrade the water quality for residents. The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority has stated this in writing at least two times.
As a county resident, I urge you to change the code to allow continued access by all user groups including mountain bikers.
Best,
Bryan S.
I am respectfully asking that the supervisors do not open Ragged Mountain Reservoir up to bikers. This natural area is too precious and unique to open to bikers that are very likely to go off trail and tear up the undergrowth of the area. They already have many places in Albemarle County to pursue their sport, but Albemarle County only has 2 natural areas, Ragged Mountain being one of them. The special nature of the area, with its rich soils and unusual birds should be celebrated and preserved, not turned into a high volume speedway. There will be many comments wanting bikes at the reservoir. Who will speak up for the animals and plants that exist in their fragile environment? An environment that has been maintained as natural area is in danger of being overrun with bikes to please the strong bike lobby. They should bike elsewhere. Please vote NO to allowing bikes at the reservoir.
Thank you,
Sally Tucker
1171 Pounding Creek Road
Charlottesville VA 22903
I am an avid hiker who loves frequenting the 74 miles of pedestrian only trails in Albemarle County - in addition to the National Park. I got into mountain biking as an adult, and Ragged Mountain Reservoir provided a safe and beginner-friendly place for me to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. It is a gem in this community to be shared by all. Thank you for considering changing the code to allow shared use on the 6.5 mile loop.
Yes, I support all recreational non motorized uses for Ragged Mountain. Including Mountain Biking and Running. Please consider changing the code to accommodate the wants of the voters your represent.
My family loved biking on the trails at Ragged Mt. We were disappointed to learn of the closure and hope that the board will listen to the community's wishes regarding reopening the trails. Our hope is that everyone can use the trails responsibly, respect the environment, and foster more engagement with our shared outdoor spaces. Thank you for listening to the community.