Friday, January 1, 2021
Berkshire NEMBA's newest project! Berkshire Bike Skills Park!
This project is to construct the first professionally built bike skills park in the Western Massachusetts area. The 1+ acre park will include a paved pump track, youth area, jump line, cross country trail, and possibly a dual slalom in order to creatively enhance outdoor recreation in the region.
Springside Park, the approved location, is the city of Pittsfield's largest park. Although it has beautiful woods and some trails, the park is currently in disrepair and underused. There is a history of negative activity/crime within it and it abuts one of the city's low-income neighborhoods (walking distance from both a middle school and elementary school). Enhancing the park would open up healthy, safe possibilities for the residents--and youth in particular--of these neighborhoods as it is accessible without car, of high interest, and would be safe and well-constructed. With the addition of the bike park, local bike advocacy groups and programs will be able to increase their events and activities to bring positive recreation events to the community.
Springside Park is already the location of a free weekly mountain bike race series, a girls mountain bike summer camp program (Little Bellas), a practice location for the local NEHSCA youth mountain bike team, and has potential for much more activities linked with the schools and community, especially with more infrastructure in place such as the bike skills park and access enhancements (road and parking, which are proposed to be addressed as part of this project).
There is a very strong community of bike riders in the area and many people visit from surrounding states to ride trails and local downhill park options. The Bike Skills Park will add an additional attraction for people who are familiar with the area and will help bring even more recreation economy support to the region.
In the News:
11/20/2020 iBerkshires- Park Commission Approval
12/4/2020 - Berkshire Eagle - More Pump Track Details
1/8/2021 - iBerkshires - Commission OKs Location
Project Contact: Alison McGee, President of Berkshire NEMBA Chapter
Berkshire Bike Skills Park Facebook Page
Project Overview:
A medium-scale bike skills park, spanning approximately 1 acre and including a pump track and other features designed to grow bike handling skills of riders of all ages. This park would be of a size to draw visiting riders from a wide radius as well as secure and enhance the riding community that already exists in the Berkshires. It would provide an extremely fun, yet safe, recreation option for everyone from toddlers on strider bikes, to BMX riders, to mountain, cyclocross, and road riders, to pro and expert bikers. Materials would be a mix of natural dirt, constructed obstacles, and paved tracks, all integrated with the style and environment of the surrounding park. This is being organized by Berkshire NEMBA, Berkshire Mountain Bike
Proposed Location:
Springside Park, Pittsfield MA
Northeast of North Playground area
Potential Features:
- Young Kids Mini Track
- Beginner-Intermediate Pump Track
- Advanced Pump Track
- Tabletop/Jump Line
- XC Skills Area
- Dual Slalom Track
Goal Timeline:
- Project Approval - Winter 2020
- Full Concept Plan - January 2021
- Construction - Spring/Summer 2021
Interested in Berkshire Bike Skills Park? We'd love your support!
Click here for Bike Skills Park Sponsorship Info
Our three nonprofit, volunteer-operated, cycling clubs are working toward establishing a free, public bike skills park in the city of Pittsfield. The high-caliber build of this park will become a major draw to riders from the Berkshires and beyond who—when traveling to visit the park—will also be supporting local businesses... like yours!
Because of the level of quality of the park we are envisioning, we will be working with a professional trail building company, Powder Horn, to plan and construct the park. It is costly to not only secure a comprehensive plan, but also to construct the park in a safe and attractive way.
We are looking to raise up to $400,000 to cover this entire project, which will be done through a combination of medium- to large-scale grants, crowdsourcing, and local fundraising. This is where you come in... we are looking for companies, organizations, and individuals to contribute to the fundraising efforts. We have a number of levels available, each of them connected to some benefits to show our appreciation for your support.
Any amount is appreciated, but we hope you can be a big part of helping us reach our end goal of $400,000 to make this park a true destination within our region!
Visit our IMBA Dig In Fundraiser here: Berkshire Bike Skills Park
