Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 the 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.
Who built this bike park?
Who can I contact with questions?
Michael Davern. President, Brattleboro-Keene NEMBA
Andy Bohannon, Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director, City of Keene
Andy Bohannon, Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director, City of Keene
Benefits
How does this benefit our 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
Funding
What did this cost the City of Keene?
BK-NEMBA donated 100% of the cost of the park and its maintenance to the city of Keene.
How much did the park cost?
Bike Park Planning and Construction
Additional park features/expenses
Additional project expenses
- 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 was the project funded?
Funds for the Keene Bike Park were raised from a broad cross section of the community including businesses, philanthropic organizations, and individuals.
How can I help?
Donate
Make a secure donation to BK-NEMBA through PayPal. Click on the button below to begin and thank you! BK-NEMBA is an educational 501(c)3 non-profit. Tax ID # 04-3068072
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: www.keenebikepark.org/
- Community events
Become a Sponsor
Make a major impact and ensure the future of the Keene Bike Park! Learn more about our Sponsorship Program.
