Written by: Renee Griswold, League Director, Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League
This article first appeared in Silent Sports Magazine, May 2025
Blue Mound State Park has long been home to some of Wisconsin’s most challenging and rewarding mountain bike trails. For years, these trails were maintained by a small group of dedicated local adult volunteers who spent countless hours ensuring that the park’s rugged terrain remained rideable. Their passion kept the trails alive, but the work was never-ending, and the need for fresh hands was growing.
Last summer, CORP Trails, a local trail organization, teamed up with Mount Horeb Mountain Biking, a youth team that rides as a part of NICA’s Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League. While the team had volunteered before, they significantly increased their involvement during the past year as part of a Teen Trail Corps (TTC) initiative within the team. The TTC program encourages NICA student-athletes in grades 6 through 12 to take an active role in trail stewardship and advocacy. This partnership, which began as a simple collaboration, soon turned into a transformative experience for all participants.
A New Generation steps up
When NICA coach Ambra Baldwin Hart reached out about organizing a work night, the new, local CORP Trail stewards Karl Wigdal and Jay Gunderson were thrilled. “My initial reaction,” Karl said, “was relief that yes, the NICA team would like to work with us, followed by the realization that we had better step up our game and organize something that would exceed everyone’s expectations.”
From the outset, this was not just going to be a simple trail workday. The goal was to educate, inspire, and empower the young riders to see trails from a new perspective: not just as paths to ride, but as living, breathing networks that required care and attention.
Learning the ropes
On the first work night, Karl and Jay introduced the student-athletes to the tools of the trade. They didn’t just hand out shovels and rakes, they explained why each tool was important and how every small repair impacted the ride experience. “I wanted them to understand the reasons behind the various maintenance techniques,” Karl said. “I wanted to teach them to start looking at mountain bike trails from a design perspective.”
Coach Ambra structured the teams carefully, mixing up groups so that riders who didn’t normally train together could collaborate.
“We took the time to talk with the athletes about what needed to be done, and why,” she said. “They learned to look at the slope and grade of the trail, identify cups and berms that had formed, and look for drainage lines.”
As the evening progressed, something incredible happened — the young riders weren’t just participating, they were leading.
They started asking insightful questions, making connections between their riding experience and the work they were doing. The CORP Trail leaders and NICA coaches saw firsthand how quickly they adapted. Gaining knowledge and technique quickly led to growing confidence and success for the riders.
By the time the second workday rolled around, the student-athletes were no longer hesitant beginners. They arrived confident, choosing their preferred tools and grouping themselves based on the tasks at hand. “It was incredible to see how much more comfortable they were with the tools and the tasks that needed to be done,” Ambra said. “They rebuilt two culverts that had washed out, and de-cupped, de-bermed, and opened up drainage on miles of trails.”
Karl was amazed at the transformation. “They all impressed me. They were focused, they were cooperating, and they were problem-solving together,” he said. The excitement was contagious, creating a positive feedback loop that fueled their energy throughout the day.
Then came the biggest reward: proof that their work mattered. After a rain storm that autumn, the trails, which typically stayed closed for days due to drainage issues, dried out and were ready to ride in record time. “It’s unheard of at Blue Mound State Park,” Ambra said. “These kids were able to see their hard work pay off.”
More than just a workday
For Karl, one of the standout moments was watching the adult coaches realize how much her team had accomplished. “Watching Ambra realize that her team was doing such good work, and that they were having fun doing it, was a highlight for me,” he said.
That joy was shared across generations: “student-athletes brought enthusiasm and good listening skills,” another CORP volunteer observed. “CORP Trails leaders brought trail maintenance experience…and NICA coaches and parents brought leadership skills.”
Each group complemented the other, creating an experience that was greater than the sum of its parts.
Beyond the physical work, an even bigger achievement was taking shape: the passing of knowledge and stewardship from one generation to the next. “Because of Karl and Jay’s extra efforts,” Ambra said, “they have truly inspired the next generation of trail stewards. This is what Teen Trail Corps is all about.”
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between WI NICA and CORP Trails is just the beginning. This initial partnership has paved the way for continuous efforts to maintain trails as a community effort, involving riders of all ages. "Go ahead and volunteer!" encourages Karl. "Volunteers are always needed. If you're not excited about 'dirt work,' there are many other opportunities to advocate for trails."
For the student-athletes, this experience has transformed their perspective on trails. No longer just places to ride, trails are now places of responsibility where their efforts can enhance experiences for themselves and others. "Use your riding knowledge to guide your trail maintenance work," advised Monica Mooberry, a trail volunteer.
Reflecting on the season, everyone agreed: this is just the start.
As Karl said, "Mountain bikers should volunteer for trail maintenance if they can. Not everyone wants to work on the trail itself, and that's fine. Contact your local mountain bike trail organization and get involved in other aspects of advocacy and trail building and maintenance."
If the trails could speak, they would say: "Thanks for fixing my drainage problems—you folks rock!"
The future of trails at Blue Mound State Park looks bright, thanks to the work already done and the spirit of stewardship that has been sparked. As the next generation of riders takes over, they bring not only a love for mountain biking but also an appreciation for the hands that shape the trails beneath their wheels.
One word to sum it all up? "Awesome."
Every year, NICA athletes across 32 leagues volunteer over 60,000 hours for their local trail networks, bringing much-needed attention to singletrack through both stewardship and advocacy. Learn more about NICA’s Teen Trail Corps program and make a donation to support this youth development work and help programs like TTC thrive!
Special thanks to Renee Griswold and the Wisconsin league, Ambra Baldwin-Hart and the Mount Horeb Mountain Biking team, and CORP Trails in south-central Wisconsin.
When you support NICA, you support life-changing moments, an inclusive community, and a re-imagined youth sports experience.
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