A great deal of work will culminate with a dedication ceremony for Pineville's new bike park next week.
Officials, community leaders and residents will celebrate at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8. The new bike park is located off Big Sugar Creek Road in Pineville.
Pineville Mayor Gregg Sweeten said the project, which has been in the works for about two years, will be a great asset for the community and the area.
"We are one of few in southwest Missouri that have something like this," he said. "It's amazing to see this come to light."
Several entities gave the bike-park idea a push to make it a reality. Sweeten describes it as a partnership with several organizations.
About 24 months ago, when the idea began simmering, officials had a couple of meetings with folks in the biking community. Ideas were batted around and input gathered.
Marcy Camacho, who was involved from the beginning, put city officials in touch with John Hunter, president/owner of Progressive Bike Ramps in Joplin. The company designed and built the bike park.
Hunter, who grew up in Noel and graduated from McDonald County High School, runs his own business and designs skate and bike parks across the United States and the world.
The idea began to take root in late 2015, when the Pineville City Council passed a Livable Streets ordinance, in conjunction with the Health Department.
The ordinance outlined the city's commitment to providing places to walk and ride bikes, Sweeten said.
Ideas were gathered along the way. Earlier this year, Hunter met with several youth of the community to ask what they'd like to see.
All of the features that were identified in the design meeting with local youth made it into the final design and will be included in the park, Hunter said.
A bicycle playground will appeal to younger kids, including kids on Strider bikes. That area will include some smaller features and tunnels, Hunter said.
The park includes a skills loop for older kids and more-experienced riders.
The concrete pump track was designed in a way that it can be used by bikers, skaters and kids on scooters, Hunter added. The term pump track refers to a loop of berms and rollers ridden without pedaling, according to www.teamtowncycle.com. The name pump track comes from the pumping motion used by a rider's upper and lower body as they ride around the track.
Funds for the bike park are derived from the city's option use money. Progressive Bike Ramps and Camacho are raising money as well.
When discussions for such a big project started, Sweeten wasn't sure the bike park would happen. There were many aspects that needed to fall into place.
Now, the project will benefit the community.
"It's coming full circle," Sweeten said. "It's finally coming to reality."
The dedication, which will feature food, entertainment and prizes, is open to the public.
General News on 06/29/2017