From WOOD COUNTY PARK DISTRICT
A new hub of family-friendly activity is being created in Rudolph on a previously unused parcel of land adjacent to the Slippery Elm Trail. The proposed Bike Park will have multiple pump tracks, each for a different skill level. From toddlers learning to ride a bike, to advanced mountain bikers, the Rudolph Bike Park will provide a safe location for skills development on its three pump tracks and mountain bike skills loop. Once open, the Rudolph Bike Park will be free and open to the public daily from 8:00 am until 30 minutes past sunset.
In a 2018 public survey with more than 2,000 Wood County respondents, 43.48% of people requested more bike trails & increased access, with 55% of those respondents requesting non-traditional biking opportunities. The Rudolph Bike Park meets these identified community needs. The Rudolph Bike Park is adjacent to the 13.1-mile rails-to-trails bike path, the Slippery Elm Trail (SET). With an average of 275 users per day, the SET is one of the Park District’s most utilized amenities.
Working with the non-profit group, The Right Direction, and their youth development program, the Wood County Park District has taken steps to ensure the bike park offers engaging challenges appropriate for all users, from the strider-biking toddler to the expert BMX racer. A picnic shelter, accessible parking area, greenspace and bike repair station complete the park. A grand opening event is scheduled for Sunday, July 12.
Community members, organizations, and companies have the opportunity to become involved through donations and sponsorships made to the Friends of the Wood County Park District, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting the Park District. Donors and sponsors will be recognized through tangible giveaways, signage, and a multitude of print and tech marketing promotions. A lasting sponsorship legacy demonstrates appreciation for the community builders who support the Rudolph Bike Park. For a sponsorship package, visit https://www.wcparks.org/whats-new/
The Rudolph Bike Park meets requests from Wood County citizens, repurposes an unused property in an underserved community, and enhances a popular park amenity focused on wellness. For more information on ways to sponsor and sponsorship benefits, contact Jamie Sands at jsands@wcparks.org | 419-353-1897. For more information on the Rudolph Bike Park development, contact Craig Spicer at cspicer@wcparks.org | 419-661-1697×3.
For more information about the parks and nature preserves in the Wood County Park District system, or about the public programs offered, please visit www.wcparks.org, download the free app ‘wcparks’, or call 419-353-1897.
