As we get ready to ring in yet another new year, it’s time to take a couple minutes to remember what MEMBAs were able to accomplish in 2021! And as a reminder: MEMBA is a 501c3 organization run completely by volunteers and supported by donations (and membership)! If you’re looking to finish off the year with some good deeds but not quite sure MEMBA is the right place for them, read on.
Before we dive into the list, the first item we must acknowledge is the work of trail coordinators and volunteers doing maintenance at the trails. Overall, this is thousands of hours. Individual coordinators themselves have spent hundreds of hours trimming back grass, prickers, and foliage, removing downed trees (this alone has been a monumental task this year), building, grooming, and doing whatever is needed to keep our lakeshore trails in tip top shape. A huge round of applause for you all; the MEMBA community appreciates you!
There maybe more detailed posts about some of these items forthcoming, but to the list!
Organization/non-trail-specific
- 30% increase in total members
- Winter trail reports
- Silver Lake Dunes pilot rides
- Member Shindig @ MC
- 2 Global Fat Bike Day events
- Gave our tool/groomer transport trailer a sweet facelift
- Cranksgiving & Kids Food Basket food drives
- MEMBA jerseys (we still have a couple left for purchase!)
- Flyers created & supplied to local bike shops
- Apparel distributed through local bike shops
- Holland 100 SAG (big fundraiser for MEMBA)
- Velo Kids bike camps
Allegan
- Coordinated with and trained the very enthusiastic 5As, who are working to maintain, build, and expand trail access in Allegan
Bass River
- Trail separation: many years of work has resulted in officially separate and distinguished bike and equestrian trails
- Another successful season of grooming, even in tough conditions
Beechwood
- New trail designed & flagged
- Many trail days resulting in two completed loops
Jamestown
- IMBA Trail Solutions design completed
- IMBA Dig In matching grant received
- Countless (ongoing) hours of getting many, many ducks in a row to get ready for shovels
Mosquito Creek
- Successful grooming season with additional winter-only mileage added
- Completed Infinity & Saints’ loop, doubling total mileage; held ribbon cutting ceremony
- Successful campaign to fund additional features construction
- Features construction utilizing many incredible volunteers
- Turkey burner
Riley
Shore Acres
- Work days in jumps area
- Singletrack work day to armor problem areas
- Additional signage
- 2022 pump track plans
Upper Mac
- Spring opening April 26th (!!!) thanks to armoring wet areas
- New MEMBA signage thanks to Ottawa County Parks
Holy moly, that’s quite a list! Perhaps the biggest thing for MEMBA that doesn’t really fit on this list is the amount of support the org receives from the community. From membership, to partnerships with local bike shops and businesses, to incredible donations of expertise, time, and money: MEMBA is a product of the community and everyone supporting should be extremely proud of themselves for an amazing 2021. Onward!