Creativity is gratifying personally, and when shared, it makes a better world. Building a trail is an exercise in creativity. Helping build a bike park, more so.
A bike park strengthens the surrounding community. Outdoor recreation reduces crime rates, improves educational outcomes, and increases health and well-being. It’s a powerful economic engine that also creates conservation advocates, accelerating positive environmental change. All of which improves livability.
You don’t need to ride Gateway Green to recognize its significance. Gateway Green offers NWTA a deeper, more fruitful relationship with Portland Parks; experience in how bike parks differ — in build, maintenance, ridership, and programming — from forest trail systems; and opportunities in site programming, community engagement, and membership. All of which, aside from the obvious benefits, is downright fun.
The press also sees the significance of Gateway Green’s flavor of urban mountain biking. Check out Gateway Green: Portland’s new Mecca for off-road biking and Portland Finally Has a Mountain Bike Park.
As does the local cycling industry. Abraham Fixes Bikes, Bike Gallery, Bikeskills, Community Cycling Center, Fat Tire Farm, Lumberyard Bike Park, Oregon Bike Shop, Oregon Youth Mountain Biking, Performance Bicycle, REI, River City Bicycles, Showers Pass, Splendid Cycles, Velo Cult, and Western Bikeworks will all be participating at Gateway Green’s opening event.
We all have helped create what could arguably be called the City of Portland’s first and finest bike park. Day by day, the work continues. And this is only the beginning.
What’s next for you?