Mountain‑bike groups urge board to protect Purser Holsey trails, prioritize pump track

Residents and volunteer trail groups urged the Matthews Board of Commissioners on Jan. 26 to keep existing mountain‑bike facilities intact as the town advances design work for Purser Holsey Park.

Brian Hall, a Tar Heel Trail Blazers board member, said a pump track ‘‘has been part of the master plan since 2018’’ and asked the town to prioritize it during the build‑out. Hall also asked the board to protect the club’s existing trails and to reconsider a proposed connector road between the Phillips Road and 51 parking lots, arguing it would increase cut‑through traffic, remove tree canopy and consume roughly 10% of the park budget.

Other speakers from area trail clubs supported Hall’s request. Gerry Adams and Curtis Storm described volunteer hours and the trail network’s local draw; Dan Schellenkamp called Perser Hursley ‘‘a gem’’ and said the trails are designed to complement the land and serve a wide age range of riders.

Parks and recreation staff and commissioners said they have heard the public’s concerns and will include stakeholders in upcoming design briefings scheduled for March and April. Parks director Corey King, referenced from the dais and in public comments, was acknowledged as a staff contact for future coordination.

The board did not take an immediate vote on park design at the Jan. 26 meeting; staff told the board the design work is at roughly 20% and additional public input meetings are planned before final decisions are made.