Update on the #SaveRGVMissionTrails campaign and tonight's City of Mission city council meeting:
Today, I spoke on behalf of VORBA, our board of directors, its membership, and the greater RGV mountain bike community regarding the destruction of Mission Trails to the City of Mission mayor and city council. Here is a copy of the statement made:

(Begin Statement) Mission Hike & Bike Trails, located here in Mission, Texas, accessed by the community across the Rio Grande Valley, are at risk of losing land and singletrack trail to the Mission Trap and Skeet Club as approved through an agreement on August 9, 2021 with the City of Mission. Approximately 2 and a quarter acres of land have been given to the gun club as part of their expansion which has destroyed a section of Mission Trails called “Psychopath”. Mission Trails are part of the original trails established back in 1998 by various mountain bike clubs and volunteers. Many hours of hard work by community members have built and shaped Mission Trails as they exist today.
The current construction has plowed two parts of the trail, preventing access through the section by mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners. The destruction of this section of the trail prevents access to the Northside of Mission Trails toward the canal (see map on handout). We respectfully request the following:

* No further destruction or modification of existing trails at the Mission Hike and Bike Trails
* Reroute of current “Psychopath” section at Mission Trails to reconnect to existing Mission Trails and reestablishing original trail flow
* Work with the Valley Off-Road Bicycling Association or VORBA , its trail stewards, and its volunteers to maintain existing trails

The limited availability of green space in the McAllen-Mission area and sparse outdoor recreational locations for wellness make any loss of trail a cause for concern by the community who utilize these trails at a greater number than privately owned clubs with limited access to members only.

The Rio Grande Valley has the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in Texas and the U.S., with 80% of our population considered obese and 1 in 3 persons diagnosed as diabetic. Mission Trails are just one of a few green spaces the community can visit for physical activity. This green space also promotes mental wellness, serving a vital function in our community during the global pandemic that has created a greater need for such spaces.

Giving away land piece by piece to the Mission Trap and Skeet Club takes away vital trail and brings shooting ranges dangerously close to riders, hikers and runners. Please do not create an accident waiting to happen that could result in injury or worse, death.
The Valley Off-Road Bicycling Association (VORBA), its membership, the greater mountain biking community, trail running community and concerned citizens of the Valley respectfully request there be no further destruction of Mission Trails and to continue to allow access for the betterment and health of our community.
Thank you. (End of Statement)

Where do we go from here? We will forward the 1,000+ signatures to the city mayor, Dr. Ocanas, the City Parks and Recreation director, Brad Bentsen, and the director of the Mission Trap and Skeet Club. This shows community support of keeping Mission Trails as they currently exist, with no further destruction. We have opened dialogue to move into a formal local partnership with the City of Mission to coordinate trail maintenance and building, and to prevent any further loss of trail. These will be possible agenda items in the future, so stay tuned. We are currently working with parks and recreation to develop a solution to the Psychopath segment, and reconnecting the trail.