Kids and Bikes

Bikes = Freedom and Challenge to Kids

Even if they are just used to ride to the end of the block or zoom past a friends house. Bikes offer those first few moments of independence. I have been involved with many park redevelopments that had ‘volunteer installed’ dirt bike courses. A summers worth of hard work for a few neighborhood kids. These are probably works that get passed from older kids to the younger ones through time.

In the past these areas may have seemed too dirty or rough around the edges to be considered a real park amenity. But, today forward thinking parks departments are creating these small dirt bike areas or pump tracks for public use. With great risk comes great reward.

EICHLER PARK

The non-profit Northwest Trail Alliance has  teamed with Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District to create a major renovation to the bike park in Eichler Park near downtown Beaverton. The new design features three different “jump lines” suitable for all skill levels as well as a small pump track where riders flow through a series of whoops and berms to build momentum. Speaking to the rise in popularity of this style of riding, THPRD project management and support coordinator Jon Campbell said, “This partnership is really just a great way to provide something we don’t have anywhere else in the district.”

Thanks to Bike Portland for the photos

How about on a tricycle?

GATEWAY GREEN

Friends of Gateway Green was created to help turn an unused swath of land between two freeways in Portland, Oregon into a recreational area for off-road bicycle riding, hiking and more — and to do all this in a sustainable way. The Gateway Green plan includes multiple different types of bike areas including commuter trail, single track trail, jumps and kids learning area. I am excited to keep an eye on this project as they move into detailed design and implementation.

Gateway Green Phase One Development Map by David Evans and Associates

VENTURA PARK

Oregon Live says, “From a distance, the new bicycle pump track at Ventura Park looks like some dope drove into the park, did a few doughnuts, then drove off. However, upon closer inspection, you see the carefully carved banks, rolling bumps and banked corners in this first of its kind feature in a Portland park.” Northwest Trail Alliance, collaborating with the city, built the track and signage kiosk for eight thousand dollars in direct costs, and they put in more than 500 volunteer hours. This was a pilot project for the City of Portland and has remained popluar for a few years now!