MOORHEAD -- A local organization lost thousands of dollars of equipment when it was stolen from a storage building at a park in Moorhead.
Equipment belonging to Fargo Moorhead Trailbuilders was stolen from a storage building at MB Johnson Park this fall. The organization builds and maintains 15 miles of natural surface trails in the Fargo-Moorhead area, which are used for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing.
The equipment, valued at $3,200, was used for trail maintenance. It had been purchased using donations to the organization, Fargo Moorhead Trailbuilders President Laurens Robinson said.
"It's disheartening," Robinson said. "No one is immune to crime, so we just have to do a better job of making sure we limit access."
The theft likely happened about three weeks ago on a Sunday evening, Robinson said. The theft was discovered by a volunteer who helps maintain the trails.
Equipment stolen from the park includes electrical saws, backpack blowers and shovels, all used for maintaining the wooded trails at MB Johnson Park. Handheld, battery-operated saws are used to cut branches and trees that fall into trails. Volunteers use the blowers to clear leaves and twigs from the trails.
At MB Johnson Park, the organization maintains around 4 miles of trails. It also maintains trails in Gooseberry and Horn Park in Moorhead.
Beyond the financial setback, the theft also causes inconveniences for Trailbuilder volunteers. The organization keeps another set of equipment in south Fargo, but volunteers now have to haul it to Moorhead to maintain the trails on the Minnesota side.
This week, high winds may have knocked down branches.
"Now, in order to get that removed, we don't have the equipment right away to go out and clear the trail," Robinson said. "We'll do as best we can."
Park Maintenance Manager Michael Schroeder said the city has no additional information on the theft. No city property was taken. The city changed the locks on the building.
On Dec. 5, Junkyard Brewing is hosting its Winter Trail Rally to benefit the Trailbuilders at its Moorhead location. Every pint of beer sold at the event will contribute $1 to the Trailbuilders.
The event will have food for a freewill donation, information about winter trail activities and prize drawings. Prizes were donated from local bike shops, including Scheels, Paramount Sports and Great Northern Bicycle Company.
Along with a fundraiser, the event is an opportunity to celebrate the organization's volunteers and give updates on projects, Robinson said. Upcoming projects include the extension of a trail south of Horn Park in Moorhead and a new trail in Fargo that will start in Lemke Park, run through the South River Prairie and connect with the organization's existing Forum Tower Loop trail.
In a press release announcing the event, Junkyard owner Aaron Juhnke said the event is near and dear to him as a volunteer with the Fargo Moorhead Trailbuilders.
"I don't think a lot of people realize that all the mountain bike trails and fatbike winter trails in Fargo Moorhead parks were built completely by FM Trailbuilders volunteers and they are all maintained by volunteers using equipment purchased with donations to the FMTB," Juhnke said. "So, if you've ever ridden on any of the mountain bike trails in Fargo-Moorhead, you can thank an FMTB volunteer for making that possible for you."