Rossland’s Rossglen Bike Park is getting a facelift to reflect the changing desires of local mountain bike users. Rossglen has been a fixture for the biking community for the past eight years but is in need of upgrades and expansion, and a group of volunteers are working with the City of Rossland to see that happen this summer.
“The catalyst for the Rossglen Revitalization Project stemmed from the desire to have a quality community pump track,” says volunteer organizer Mark Daugherty. “It was also recognized that the woodwork is starting to degrade and is in need of replacement, and the jumps need to be improved for beginner to intermediate users. This compliments the expert jumps located at the Centennial Park.”
In the short term, city workers are going to assess the wood features and remove those that are deemed unsafe. Volunteers are beginning the park design process, which will be presented to Rossland City Council for approval. The intent of the park is to build beginner to intermediate features that will appeal to a broad range of mountain bike users.
“The city welcomes the revitalization of Rossglen as in recent years it has seen a decrease in user visits,” says Robin Hethey of the Rossland Recreation Department. “It’s our goal to create a park that meets the current needs and desires of bikers but also ensure the safety of its users.”
In addition to new wood features, the jump lines will be rebuilt with beginner and intermediate tabletop lines. The pump track, which is comprised of a loop of tight berms, rollers and features, will be built in phases as funding and volunteer hours are available.
“Pump tracks are an great way to improve your bike handling skills while getting a workout,” says volunteer organizer Ryan Kuhn. “This will be a great addition to our trail and bike infrastructure, and is an excellent resource for local youth.”
In addition, the large wall ride at the park is getting refurbished and will be utilized for a youth graffiti art project funded by the Youth Action Network (YAN).
“A graffiti wall was identified by youth as a project they wanted to see happen in Rossland,” says YAN Coordinator Mike Kent. “Graffiti artist Bryn Stevenson will be working with youth May 3 and 4 to create a mural on the wall. Additional plywood will be hung on the rear of the structure and left as a blank canvas for artists to legally express their spray paint talents. The refurbished wall, complete with art, will be unveiled in May.”
The Rossglen Revitalization Project will require a considerable amount of dirt to cover the glass emerging from the ground as it was the historic dumpsite for Rossland. Volunteers are in the process of identifying funding to purchase high quality fill to build the pump track and are soliciting community donations of money or quality fill dirt.
Volunteer build days will occur early in the summer and anyone interested is encouraged to attend and lend a hand in the revitalization project. For more information, contact Ryan Kuhn at (250) 231-9343.