Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you may already know the basic
answer to that question. But stick with us. Every good building starts with a
strong foundation, which is what we hope to do here. And we may surprise
you with some details and facts you did not know about your local trail
development and advocacy gurus!
When CORBA was initially founded in 2005, the acronym stood for
Chippewa Off-Road Biking Association, and many today may still imagine it
as being primarily concerned with the mountain biking world. But in an
intentional effort to be more inclusive of all outdoor enthusiasts, CORBA
rebranded in 2023 as the Community for Outdoor Recreation, Biking, and
Adventure. Our ethos is inclusive of multiple outdoor recreation activities
across all seasons – including not just mountain and fat tire biking, but trail
running, hiking, and snowshoeing.
CORBA multi-use trails are built and maintained for the entire Chippewa
Valley and all those who love to move their feet outdoors. For athletes
training for mountain bike and trail racing events, for families and friends
looking to get outside and be active together, and for anyone just looking to
enjoy the solitude of a quiet morning trail against the backdrop of birdsong
and leaf dappled sunlight and maybe a friendly creek. We aim to help
develop and maintain high quality trail systems for all trail users.
There’s a little something for everyone within our ecosystem, which
includes 10 trail systems in 4 counties: Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, and
Barron. That is over eighty miles of single-track trails built, maintained,
mowed, and groomed by a cadre of volunteers, from your faithful board
members, to trail liaisons who make sure that each single-track system
stays usable for all Chippewa Valley residents. And this isn’t counting the
double-track ski trails available at many parks which the various
municipalities primarily maintain.
A survey done in 2024 by the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation
focused on the use of both paved and soft-surface trails in Eau Claire as
both a part of the city’s identity and a significant economic driver. Close a
third of respondents mentioned outdoor recreation opportunities as a key
driver in their decision to move to the Eau Claire area, and 94% said that
outdoor recreation was moderately to extremely important to them –
showing that multi-use trail systems are not just a “nice thing to have,” but
function as a vital part of people’s lives and their decisions in how and
where to live them. I’m just glad I’m not the only one who Google’s an
area’s trail systems before I visit or consider moving there! These numbers
may just be related to one area CORBA serves, but highlight the real and
perceived value of a well-maintained trail system to the region’s residents
and economy.
And if you needed national numbers, here are just a couple of fun ones to
consider:
The Rails to Trails Conservancy conducted a national survey of users
participating in Celebrate Trails Day and found almost universal (97%)
affirmation that trail use makes a difference in their mental health and
wellbeing.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that in 2024 that outdoor
recreation accounted for close to $700 Billion of the GDP.
So when we say that CORBA exists to promote outdoor recreation as both a
major factor in improving peoples’ quality of life, and as a regional
economic driver – we aren’t talking about a little side quest. These factors
are integral to the Chippewa Valley and all its residents. Through our well-
loved seasonal events, like the Coon Fork 40 gravel race and Fall-Back Blast
trail race, as well as partnering with city and county departments and with
other user groups in the area, we work to support and advocate for
outdoor recreation and all its enthusiasts. Valley Girls Cycling Club, 906
Adventure Team, and Eau Claire Youth Cycling (ECYC) are just some of the
Chippewa Valley organizations that we liaise with in the local community,
in addition to working with municipalities and landowners to ensure
continuing trail access.
So if you haven’t yet, why not get out on one of your local trails this week?
Take some time to appreciate not just the coming of summer to the
Chippewa Valley, but the miles of dirt trails built and maintained for you –
to improve the quality of life in our beautiful part of the country, and
provide a place for all outdoor recreation enthusiasts participate in
something that benefits our residents and entire region.
https://www.outdoorrecreation.wi.gov/our-industry/news-stories/eau-
claire-the-economic-significance-of-the-city’s-paved-trails-and-public-art?
utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/the-impact-of-trails-for-people-
places-and-the-planet-centerpiece-of-nationwide-celebration
https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/outdoor-recreation