Meeting Minutes

Spearfish Trails Coalition – Meeting Highlights (October 23, 2025)

Sandstone Connector

  • Construction near complete; closeout will transfer to the City after formal acceptance. Trail remains signed closed until acceptance.

  • Ribbon cutting event set for October 25. Event waivers discussed.

  • Board cleanup and tool sweep scheduled for October 25–26.

Trail Naming

  • Ranked voting among fifteen finalist names. Final name requires City approval.

Funding and Grants

  • Spearfish City mini grant not awarded. 

  • GiveButter and other small donations received since last meeting.

  • Exploring nonprofit accounting and grant tools. QuickBooks Online pricing to be confirmed via TechSoup. Grant tracking options under review.

Data and Counters

  • Strava Metro will be explored to estimate use. City trail counters remain a goal. Short term rental options under review.

Committees and Programs

  • Signage working group will draft a one page recommendation for City signage standards for the new trails.

  • Trail maintenance crew will launch as a members first program. Initial meeting to be scheduled.

  • IMBA Ride Center criteria will inform winter strategic planning.

Forebay Project

  • Preliminary land-use approval granted for Forebay area. 

Regional Coordination

  • Board members will attend the Spearfish–Deadwood corridor discussion on November 13 at 3 pm to listen and coordinate.

Official actions

  • Trail Sign Committee formed.

  • Trail Maintenance Crew Committee formed.

Spearfish Trails Coalition – Meeting Highlights (September 25, 2025)

Sandstone Connector Trail

  • Green beginner trail ~80% complete; city has contributed significant in-kind support.

  • Uriah (Benchmark Trails) will consult October 6–10.

  • Trail opening/activation event planned for October 25.

  • Naming process underway: member email + Facebook poll; city approval required before final.

Funding & Grants

  • $1,500 received from Jenny Braig raffle.

  • Additional funds received via GiveButter.

  • South Dakota Fund grant application ($20,000) denied.

  • Exploring nonprofit grant tracking software to improve compliance and reporting.

  • GrantStation membership to be renewed ($100/year).

Financial Reports

  • Monthly financial statement reviewed; quarterly reports discussed. 

Volunteer & Membership

  • Proposal to establish a dedicated, trained trail crew for efficiency and professionalism; would supplement community trail days.

  • IMBA Trail School scheduled for October 12 (city-funded, 9 am–4:30 pm).

  • Membership drive to launch in October using IMBA’s provided materials; Kaylie to manage social media promotion.

Events & Community Engagement

  • Art Market activities well-received despite lighter attendance.

  • Potential film festival under discussion; Heath to review MTB films.

  • End-of-year member and sponsor appreciation event being considered; scope and purpose to be refined.

  • Thank-you letter writing party to be scheduled in October.

Equipment & Data Collection

  • Board supports purchase of trail counters; Michelle researching options, Heath to ask city about potential funding.

  • Data collection project planned for spring; exploring collaboration with city and Trenton Ellis.

Official Votes

  • None

Spearfish Trails Coalition – Meeting Highlights (August 21, 2025)


Volunteer Work

  • Little Spearfish Trail mowed; Heath certified for chainsaw use.

  • Water bars to be replaced with dips and nicks.

Funding & Grants

  • $10,000 Wharf Fund donation.

Board Updates

  • Michelle Stampe was appointed Secretary (term began Jan 2025).

  • Reid Hensen stepped down from the board and Heath Brown assumed his position as Treasurer 7/24/25 meeting

  • Rock Solid contract approved ($224,717.55) for Zone 2 Phase 2 & Zone 3 Gravity Skills, construction slated for summer 2026.

  • Discussing potential bike park addition.

Sandstone Connector Trail

  • Beginner trail flagged and mowed; pending city council approval (Sept 2).

  • Weekly volunteer nights planned once work starts.
    Intermediate trail with multiple downhill options under consideration.

  • Budget of $15,000 approved.

  • Trail naming process to begin, with city approval required.

Social Media

  • Kaylie to manage posts; board members can share drafts/stories.

  • Review process set for next meeting.

Events

  • Bike Week Art Market (Aug 22–27).

  • Trail organization ride & happy hour (Aug 29).

  • Volunteer trail day (Aug 28).

  • Spearfish Brewing Bingo fundraiser (Sept 8).

Other Approvals

  • Renewed GrantStation membership ($100/year).

  • Volunteer hours to be tracked for grants.

Action Items

  • Improve grant/donation tracking and reporting.

  • Launch shared Google Calendar for events.
    Increase board access to website and social media.

  • Organize thank-you letters and recognition activities.