Spearfish showcases new trail work, highlights volunteer training and partnerships

Peter Wysocki, the city’s community development director, told the Planning Commission that staff took an abbreviated presentation to the 2026 Western Planner Conference to promote Spearfish as a "trail town" and highlight a public-private partnership with the Spearfish Trails Coalition (STC).

"We're gonna condense this to just a few minutes," Wysocki said, introducing a video that shows IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) trail schools and volunteer training that community partners funded for Spearfish.

The presentation emphasized trails as community infrastructure that provides recreation, transportation connectivity and economic benefits. Staff said STC funded a $15,000 vision plan and partnered with Rock Solid for design and construction; the Lunch Loops design and build around the campground cost about $250,000, while the Sandstone Connector leveraged volunteer hours and an AARP grant.

Staff also reported operational details: the city now employs four trail maintenance technicians (some seasonal), STC acts as an independent contractor that funds design and construction, and the city reviews designs and assumes ownership and maintenance after construction. The service agreement includes an indemnification clause that holds the city harmless while defining the partner's scope of work.

Discussion with commissioners flagged trail use trends and public-safety considerations. Staff cited Strava Metro data showing increased trips on local trails and an ebike share rising "from about 2% in 2023 to 7% in 2026," a figure staff said they expect to grow. The commission asked whether the city plans to restrict pedal-assist e‑bikes on natural-surface trails; city staff said no formal regulatory stance has been adopted yet.

The presentation framed trails as part of a broader economic-development toolbox, noting events such as Dakota 50 and Pine Island gravel draw visitors who stay in local lodging and shop in town. Wysocki and other staff said they will continue conference outreach and evaluate future regulatory or design choices to protect trail sustainability.