New Rail Trail Bike Park opens for young cyclists

By Sarah Kessinger  Aug 7, 2024  Updated  Aug 14, 2024                                                                                                                                 

   Although it still needs some fine tuning, the Blue River Rail Trail Bike Park is essentially completed.

   Randy Brown, chairman of the Marshall County Connection committee that maintains the trail, said they plan to hold a grand opening in the next few weeks.

   “We began serious discussion of building a children’s bicycle park about a year ago when we finished our last major project, the restroom, water fountain and picnic shelter at the Hull trailhead,” Brown said. “Our goal was to broaden the appeal of the trail to include more children, thereby promoting our goal of providing healthy, outdoor activity for the entire family. Several of our board members had enjoyed similar parks in other cities and were anxious to replicate the experience here at the Blue River Rail Trail.”

   The park, which is open from dawn to dusk, will have guidelines posted. It is open to all ages, but children 8 years and younger should be accompanied by an adult, Brown said. Helmets are required and the park is for human-powered bicycles only.

   The outer path of the park includes an elevated tunnel, a series of five rings, cones to weave in and out of, and an elevated ramp.

   The inner course features several bumps and berms.  The park is next to the Jayhawk trailhead shelter, providing shaded seating for those not riding.

   “Next on our agenda is our goal of purchasing and placing a restroom near the park as well as a water fountain,” Brown said.

   The board is grateful, he said, for the “continuing tremendous community financial support that we have received at the annual Marysville Community Foundation Pony Up Match Day.”

   The building phase of this project was spearheaded by board member Shelby Temps, who did a great job, Brown said. Board member Mark Hoffman then put “a tremendous amount of work” into the park’s construction, Brown said.

   The rest of the board brought equipment and helped out on workdays. Members also spent time clearing the actual trail of storm debris from high winds earlier this summer. The Blue River Rail Trail extends to the Nebraska state line.