02/24/2025
Hey this is Jesse Pierce.
I've been. The Trail Boss here at the Enid trail since almost the beginning. Back when the trail started we had a decent sized group of guys that all started and helped build this trail in different capacities. Some focused on the legal side and dealing with the city, and various other organizations. Some dealt with the actual trail work.
I was always a boots on the ground guy, out helping map and cut trails, build features, mow, spray, and maintain equipment.
Alot of the guys dropped out early on for various reasons. Volunteer work, isn't for the weak.
For the last 4 years, I've been handling the trail mostly on my own. There have been a few people who helped out on occasion, and to those folks I give a BIG thank you.
I personally bought a tractor, brush hog, sprayer, front end loader, and trailer to maintain the trail, and keep it up. All this out of my own pocket.
Occasionally there have been some donations to help cover trail supplies, but those have been few and far between.
It's weird doing volunteer work. You give up your time and money for the community. The only time you hear from from people is when they don't think you're doing enough.
I could set my clocks by the people who message the page to complain, about things needing sprayed or grass needing mowed. Very rarely do they ever message to volunteer, and when they do, it's always conditional. They want me to meet them out there and provide the equipment and the tools. It's like I bought the last tractor on earth.
I don't live in town, I have a 1 hour round trip to drive up there. So excuse me for not wanting to meet you out there for a hour of work.
I've told people for years, grab a shovel, hand saw, or a w**d eater and go out there and work. The majority of them never put a drop of sweat into the place.
If the people of Enid want a mountain bike trail, then yall are gonna have to step up and get involved. Spend your time and your money making it happen
I've avoided saying this stuff for years, because It wasn't the polite thing to say, but I have no reason not to say it now.
I've always enjoyed maintaining the trail because I enjoy riding there with my family. Both of my kids grew up out there, riding and helping me work on the trail. I also want to say thanks to my wife who spent countless days helping me out there.
I want to say thank you to Bryan Skaggs who worked tirelessly with the city to make this trail happen. He also put alot of sweat equity into the trail during the initial building and design
I want to say thanks to Jared Roth who was there from the beginning. Alot of the trail and features wouldn't be there without his help, physically and financially in the early years
I'd also like to say thanks to Ross Stambaugh, who helped blaze trails in the early days. Always showed up with his own equipment, and donated generously to help keep the trail open.
I am stepping down as trail boss today.
I hope that the community will step up and keep this trail open. It really is a gem.
