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First opened in August 2011, the Trestle Bike Skills Park is modeled after a similar track in Winter Park. "The park is designed for BMX, mountain biking and downhill bikes. It's kind of an all-off-road park for all of those uses," says Nick Soloninka, the volunteer coordinator who oversees the park. "Between mountain bikes and BMX, they are pretty different in style, but there's something at the park that caters to all."The city has never opened this style of park before, so it's a really new and innovative thing in the U.S., really, and kind of the world," Soloninka adds. "There aren't a ton of parks like this; this style of bike park -- a park that's designed for anybody to show up -- is a new thing that's different from like, skate parks or BMX tracks that people may be used to seeing."
Though the park has been open for less than two years, Soloninka stresses the importance of continual maintenance and education about track safety. "By kind of revamping the park regularly, we're hoping we can get new people out to see the new stuff that's going on. We have a structure of how we do everything, and I make sure it's going to be safe and fit the needs of the city. If people get involved, they can have a hand in what they want at the park."
The festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, when the focus will be on teaching riders how to care for the park. "We'll be working on the jumps -- getting people out there with shovels, rakes and that type of stuff," he says. "We have a routine procedure where we go out and groom the jumps with brooms and water. Then you can sign up to be a regular volunteer with us."
Following the maintenance portion of the morning, several clinics will engage riders in how to use the track to its highest potential. "One of the features we have is called a pump track -- it's just rollers and berms, no jumps," shares Soloninka. "The idea isn't to pedal, but pump the bike -- you push up and down with your arms and legs to get momentum. We're going to have several local pro riders come out, so people can ride with the pros. You can get to know the community in Colorado -- there's actually a growing community of pro-dirt jumpers and riders in this area. These guys will be doing pro-riding, doing flips over the jumps and stuff."
With activities running until 4 p.m., riders will have plenty of time to check out the park, learn some new tricks and get hands-on experience in keeping the track in good shape. Local non-profit Groundwork Denver will on hand to teach park maintenance, and will be also give away thirty bikes to younger participants. The Denver Department of Parks and Recreation has donated several hundred helmets that will be given away during the day, and Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop will be around to do free bike-safety checks.
For more information on the Trestle Bike Skills Park at Barnum Park's grand reopening, visit the Friends of Barnum North Bike Park's Facebook page.
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