Blackfalds Bike Skills Park Set for Season

First identified as a priority in their Recreation Master Plan, the 12 acre Bike Skills Park in Blackfalds was approved last year, and now they are less than three weeks from their grand opening.

Parks and Facilities Manager with the Town of Blackfalds Jeff Heindel says the park was open for about three weeks last year before the arrival of snow, and that allowed the parks crew to see how the park responded to its first riders and make adjustments before the start of this season.

“There was some expected issues with the park, as can happen with any new construction project like this. They call it slumping from the snowfall and the rain and the runoff. Parks crews got out there and made some of the repairs, added some berms and some swails to control some of the water and we are happy with where it’s at right now.”

Along with dealing with those normal park issues, crews also added some design work to prevent water pooling in certain areas, and are adding signage displaying the rules of the park.

Heindel says it's important to follow those rules so the park can be maintained for future use.

“Probably the most important rule we would like users to remember is that if it is raining, please stay off the park, and to stay off the park until it is completely dry. It’s an open park and we are relying on users to stay off of it when it’s wet. If riders go on while it is wet, it will just increase the maintenance we will have to do, and that just keeps the park closed longer.”

The grand opening takes place on June 9th starting at 11, with a BBQ, inflatable games, rider demos and more.

Earlier stories.

Bike Skills Park in Blackfalds Just about Complete.

Blackfalds Town Council Approves Final Design for Bike Skills Park.

Blackfalds Hopes to Open Bike Park This Summer.