Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Courtesy: Christopher David
Bike Parks
What is a bike park?
A bike park is a piece of land specifically designed for mountain biking. Bike parks can be built in small urban areas areas, public lands, or integrated with trail systems. A bike park may include skills courses, pump tracks, jumps, trails, and other features.
Why build a bike park?
As video games like Fortnite and Minecraft dominate playground talk and after-school activities, the importance of places where kids and adults can be active continues to rise. Bike parks are fun, challenging, and healthy places for people to exercise. They support a wide age range of riders - from toddlers on run-bikes to advanced professionals. Or any rider who can still throw a leg over the bike for that matter! As bike parks are built and maintained, riders frequent the parks more regularly. Whole families adopt the park and make a day of the adventure.
Bike parks offer an incredible value for the budget spent on them. Well built facilities become tourist draws. They attract riders from all over the region, which in turn leads to money being spent locally on amenities, food, bike repairs, and new bike equipment. Building a bike park is the beginning, but a bike park helps build something larger for a community. It helps build healthy, happy, outdoor lifestyle choices.
What kind of bike is needed?
Bikes with knobby, dirt-worthy tires are best. Most kids' bikes will work great. You'll have the most fun on a mountain bike, BMX bike, or dirt jumper.
Who can use a bike park?
Our bike park will have something for all rider levels, from beginners and advanced riders, with opportunity for progression that will keep everyone engaged.
What is a bike park?
A bike park is a piece of land specifically designed for mountain biking. Bike parks can be built in small urban areas areas, public lands, or integrated with trail systems. A bike park may include skills courses, pump tracks, jumps, trails, and other features.
Why build a bike park?
As video games like Fortnite and Minecraft dominate playground talk and after-school activities, the importance of places where kids and adults can be active continues to rise. Bike parks are fun, challenging, and healthy places for people to exercise. They support a wide age range of riders - from toddlers on run-bikes to advanced professionals. Or any rider who can still throw a leg over the bike for that matter! As bike parks are built and maintained, riders frequent the parks more regularly. Whole families adopt the park and make a day of the adventure.
Bike parks offer an incredible value for the budget spent on them. Well built facilities become tourist draws. They attract riders from all over the region, which in turn leads to money being spent locally on amenities, food, bike repairs, and new bike equipment. Building a bike park is the beginning, but a bike park helps build something larger for a community. It helps build healthy, happy, outdoor lifestyle choices.
What kind of bike is needed?
Bikes with knobby, dirt-worthy tires are best. Most kids' bikes will work great. You'll have the most fun on a mountain bike, BMX bike, or dirt jumper.
Who can use a bike park?
Our bike park will have something for all rider levels, from beginners and advanced riders, with opportunity for progression that will keep everyone engaged.
What is BK-NEMBA?
Brattleboro-Keene NEMBA was founded in 2009 as a chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association in order to better advocate for improved access to trail networks in our region. BK-NEMBA currently has 117 members. The New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) has 27 chapters and more than 5000 members throughout New England. Our mission is to promote responsible mountain biking and to protect and preserve New England trails and open spaces. Every year, NEMBA leads about a thousand recreational rides, runs hundreds of trail care events, and hosts about a dozen mountain bike festivals across New England.
Since 2009, the scope of our chapter has grown significantly. BK-NEMBA has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Keene to maintain trails throughout the city parks, and we also steward other trails in the Keene and Brattleboro area, including Stonewall Farm, Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, and trails on other private lands.
Our chapter works in partnership with public and private landowners to improve access and build strong positive relationships with land managers.
Do you have all required approvals?
The project was presented to and approved by the Keene City Council. We are working closely with Keene Parks and Rec as well as city Code Enforcement staff to ensure the project meets all necessary requirements and guidelines.
Where will the bike park be built?
The bike park will be located in Wheelock Park. The site was chosen by the City of Keene Parks and Recreation department and BK-NEMBA. Wheelock Park is an ideal location due to its access to established bike routes like Appel Way, existing parking and restroom facilities, and its diverse array of existing sports fields and playgrounds. The City of Keene’s Master Plan for Wheelock Park includes space for bike park as well.
Examples of other bike parks include:
Currently there are over 1,000 municipal bike parks & pump tracks for the general public to ride nationwide. Some examples include:
How will this project benefit the Keene community?
Brattleboro-Keene NEMBA was founded in 2009 as a chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association in order to better advocate for improved access to trail networks in our region. BK-NEMBA currently has 117 members. The New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) has 27 chapters and more than 5000 members throughout New England. Our mission is to promote responsible mountain biking and to protect and preserve New England trails and open spaces. Every year, NEMBA leads about a thousand recreational rides, runs hundreds of trail care events, and hosts about a dozen mountain bike festivals across New England.
Since 2009, the scope of our chapter has grown significantly. BK-NEMBA has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Keene to maintain trails throughout the city parks, and we also steward other trails in the Keene and Brattleboro area, including Stonewall Farm, Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, and trails on other private lands.
Our chapter works in partnership with public and private landowners to improve access and build strong positive relationships with land managers.
Do you have all required approvals?
The project was presented to and approved by the Keene City Council. We are working closely with Keene Parks and Rec as well as city Code Enforcement staff to ensure the project meets all necessary requirements and guidelines.
Where will the bike park be built?
The bike park will be located in Wheelock Park. The site was chosen by the City of Keene Parks and Recreation department and BK-NEMBA. Wheelock Park is an ideal location due to its access to established bike routes like Appel Way, existing parking and restroom facilities, and its diverse array of existing sports fields and playgrounds. The City of Keene’s Master Plan for Wheelock Park includes space for bike park as well.
Examples of other bike parks include:
Currently there are over 1,000 municipal bike parks & pump tracks for the general public to ride nationwide. Some examples include:
- Birch Park - Pump Track at Birch Park - Amherst, NH http://www.amherstrec.org/info/facilities/area_info.aspx?FacilityID=13970&AreaID=13972
- Highland Mountain Bike Park - Northfield, NH - https://www.highlandmountain.com/
- Rye Airfield Skate and Bike Park - Rye, NH - ryeairfield.com
- IdeRide Jump Park - Newark, VT - https://www.ideride.com/ideride-jump-park
- Johnson Jump Park - Johnson, VT - http://townofjohnson.com/boards/skatepark-committee/
- Philly Pumptrack - Philadelphia PA - https://www.phillypumptrack.org/
- Bijou Bike Park - South Lake Tahoe CA - http://bijoubikepark.org/
- Sapwi Bike Park - Thousand Oaks, CA
How will this project benefit the Keene community?
- Bike parks accommodate a wide range of abilities. They allow new riders to learn in a safer, controlled environment and they allow experienced riders challenge themselves and grow their skills.
- They provide riders with challenging, interesting, and progressively more difficult features.
- This project allows the City to increase public recreational opportunities, and deter unauthorized trail-building by giving people a great place to ride.
- Adding bike park experiences will attract a new demographic to the outdoors.
- Kids! According to the Outdoor Foundation, bicycling is the number one gateway activity that gets kids outside and ultimately interested in other outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, fishing, and other physical activities.
- Strengthening the community
- Kids like to ride bikes to explore and they love to ride in the dirt.
- As the kids go, so go the parents.
- Family fun for all ages/abilities
- Health and wellness
- Open to the public
- Community and neighborhood gathering area
- Increase interest in riding and exercise
- A marketing point for recruiting new businesses to the area.
- An added benefit for employers to leverage when recruiting new employees
Who is building the bike park?
We have selected Powder Horn Trail Company of Belmont, NH to design and build the bike park
We have selected Powder Horn Trail Company of Belmont, NH to design and build the bike park
What is the project timeline?
Final project design will be complete by January 2020. Phase 1 and 2 of the project build is slated for late spring 2020, with future phases to be scheduled as funds allow.
How long will the project take?
The estimated time for phase 1 and 2 completion is 5-7 weeks. Phase 3 will take an additional 4 weeks.
Who is involved in the project?
Michael Davern. President Brattleboro-Keene NEMBA
Andy Bohannon. Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director
What will this cost the CIty of Keene?
BK-NEMBA intends to donate 100% of the cost of the park and its maintenance to the city of Keene.
Funding - Where the Money Goes
How much will it cost and how will the money be spent?
Bike Park
- Project design: $2,500
- Phase 1: $49,450
- Site Prep & Drainage
- Start Feature & Walkways
- Beginner ‘Kiddie Pool’ Zone
- Beginner/ Intermediate pump track
- Perimeter XC Trail
- Phase 2: $27,029.50
- Remaining Site Prep & Drainage
- Intermediate/ Advanced Pump Track
- Dirt Jumps
- Landscaping & Re-vegetation
Additional park features/expenses
- Kiosks and signage
- Benches
- Fencing
- Park maintenance fund
Additional project expenses
- Website hosting
- Printing of marketing material
How will the project be funded?
Funds for the Keene Bike Park will come from a community stakeholder fund drive. Our goal is to involve a broad cross section of the community in this project. Our fundraising efforts will be targeting a mix of community philanthropic organizations and businesses, individual and corporate donors, and community fundraising events. BK-NEMBA is an educational 501(c)3 non-profit. Tax ID # 04-3068072
Taking Part in the Keene Bike Park Project
How can I get involved or volunteer?
Everything about the bike park revolves around community support and involvement. At present we encourage people in the community to sign up for volunteer information updates. This will keep you in the loop as opportunities and needs arise. Ways to stay in touch include:
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/keenebikepark
- Instagram: @keenebikepark
- Website: https://www.keenebikepark.org
- Community events
How can I donate to the Keene Bike Park?
Individuals can make donations by sending a tax deductible check made out to NEMBA to:
BK-NEMBA
PO Box 193
Keene, NH 03431
Please note "Keene Bike Park" on your check.
For more information about the project and available donor funding opportunities please contact:
Michael Davern, bknemba@gmail.com
