South Knoxville Alliance

Knoxville Chapter to Receive $10,000 Assistance Grant From IMBA's Bike Park Initiative

The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC), a chapter of IMBA in Knoxville, TN, has been selected to receive $10,000 in assistance through IMBA's Bike Park Initiative to develop a new bike park inKnoxville's Urban Wilderness, an urban trail system that currently contains more than 1,400 acres and 42 miles of trails. The funds will be matched by $10,000 from AMBC.

The Knoxville Bike Park will include elements for the toddler on the push bike up to the most experienced rider. Bike parks are great resources for the surrounding community as well as a regional attraction. The proximity to over 40 miles of singletrack trails, a vibrant downtown and great neighborhoods makes this an excellent project.

“As a chapter, we are very eager to be partnering with IMBA Trail Solutions to create a plan for the Knoxville Bike Park. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Legacy Parks Foundation, and both the County and City of Knoxville to bring the plan to reality. We can’t wait to see the ideas the designers have for this park,” said Brian Hann, AMBC President.

The Bike Park Initiative is an IMBA-led project designed to foster the development of world-class bike park facilities across the United States. Developed in partnership with the SRAM Cycling Fund and People for Bikes, the Bike Park Initiative identifies promising local partnerships and provides them with strategic and technical assistance to create outstanding bike parks, including progressive jump lines, skills areas and pumptracks.

“The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club has already done great work building trails throughout our Urban Wilderness Corridor,” said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. “This Bike Park Initiative will create a real destination attraction for bike enthusiasts of all ages. Thanks and congratulations to the AMBC for their enthusiasm and vision.”

The Bike Park Initiative will provide up to $10,000 in planning and design services, which will be matched by cash from AMBC. The total of $20,000 will be used to create a detailed site plan and report for the proposed bike park at Knoxville's Urban Wilderness park. The funds will also be used to advise the applicant on the unique aspects of constructing and maintaining a bike park. The intent of this effort is to get high-quality projects initiated through professional design assistance so that the applicant, in conjunction with City of Knoxville, can quickly proceed through permitting and toward construction.

Posted Wednesday, 05/21/2014, 09:43 AM -