The county's Parks Advisory Committee approved a new master plan for Ellison Park, Tryon Park, and other Irondequoit Bay-area parks last night, much to no one's surprise. Now, it's on to the next wrinkle.

There's some confusion about how quickly off-road cycling could begin in Tryon Park - the plan recommends opening the park's trails to cycling for an 18-month trial period.

Conventional wisdom going into the process was that, since county law prohibits cycling on county park trails, it would require an act of the Legislature to change that. But another interpretation has developed: the county parks director can simply designate park trails to permit bikes.

When I talked to bike shop owner Scott Likly after last night's meeting, he was confident that the decision was the parks director's to make.

Here's what county law has to say on the matter:

"No person shall ride a bicycle upon the lawns, walks, foot trails, or bridle trails of county parks or parkways unless designated for such vehicles. In no event shall bicycles be permitted on golf courses."

The key words there are "unless designated for such vehicles." It doesn't specify who does the designating.

Another section of the law says that the parks director "is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the activities described in" several sections, including the one that covers bikes in county parks.

(This is the part where I tell you I'm not a lawyer and that I'm not certain who has the authority to allow bikes on Tryon's trails. I'm simply explaining the basis for one opinion.)

Whether the Lej has to take action before Tryon's bike paths can be opened to cyclists, it still gets to vote on the master plan. At that time, it's likely that another recommendation in the plan will become an issue: opening the Landing Road entrance to Ellison Park.

The town of Brighton opposes the idea because it would basically open the center of the park to vehicular traffic. Legislators representing Brighton are sure to fight it.