josefin Svedberg
Rossland News
The Rossglen Bike Park officially reopened Friday, September 5 as part of Golden City Days. Both kids and adults alike enjoyed the new park, sunshine and food, as well as door prizes at the event.
Rossland’s Youth Action Network (YAN) Coordinator Mike Kent explained how the youth helped tear down the old features and build new ones as a part of the Rossglen Bike Park Revitalization program.
The project was combined with Dig to Ride, another local bike project and both are part of collaboration between Rossland Youth Action Network and D.I.G. Trail Design, Ltd.
Funding for the project came from a grant from Columbia Basin Trust after the kids showed interest in making it happen.
Gavin Patterson was one of the youths helping out with the build this summer. He helped tear down the wooden features at the top of the park, built on the mountain trail.
“It was pretty fun, my friends were building too and we got to get shuttled up for rides,” said Patterson.
During the opening people were shuttled up the mountain all the way to the trail and given a chance to ride the track on the hill. Called Madhatter, it connects to the Pay Dirt trail on Red Mountain.
“It is really fun, there’s a lot of options,” added Patterson.
Nate Lott of D.I.G. Trail Designs, Ltd explained that they started their company this year. They have been working on the Pay Dirt trail and some pump tracks as well as the collaboration with YAN this summer.
The plan is to build more in the Rossglen Bike Park. While the top section — a small pump track with some jumps — is good to go, the lower part will have similar features but be increased in size. After it’s finalized, the Rossglen Bike Park will serve as training ground for the Centennial Bike Park.
Kent also shared they are all excited to have both the bike park and the Madhatter trail up and running.