The opening of the Bowen Bike Park on Sunday was the culmination of a couple of years of sustained effort by the small group of kids, mums and dads that pulled it together.
We were a little nervous to present our park to the Bowen community for opening day.
Throughout the process we had encountered enthusiasm for the project from community members, but we were relying on our own judgment and our best intentions.
Did we get it right?
Would the kids like it?
Would anyone even show up?
It turned out we needn’t have worried.
More than 200 people attended the opening, and all of them seemed thrilled to be there.
From babies to grandparents, the Bowen community was well represented, and we were happy to see many of our supporters — including our donors and many Council members.
After brief speeches, councillor Sue Ellen Fast cut the tape and the day began with a team of bikers from the North Shore, who showed us how it’s done.
They stormed around the park and soared over the jumps.
Next up was the team of Bowen teens who have undergone mentorship training and, for the next few weekends, will be helping users learn how to pump, how to stay safe, and how to help maintain the track.
They also put on a good show looping around the park.
Then the kids thronged in: big and small, beginner to expert, cautious to bold, and everything between.
It was beautiful and amazing to watch them.
And when they got hungry we were ready with a barbecue lunch. In the end we fed about 200 people, and our volunteer barbecue chefs were kept very busy right until the end.
As Shauna Jennings, the BIM recreation manager reflected: “It was a great day, that’s for sure. The older teens were raving about the park, and the young ones loved watching the big kids in between their rounds on the ‘green’ section, which proves we have created something for everyone in the community.”
Shauna played a key role in the collaborative process between BIM staff, Council and the Bike Park Group to make the park happen. “Together we have been able to provide an incredible community asset," she said.
Thanks to the donors and local businesses and organizations that worked with us on the project.
And special thanks to all my hardworking co-conspirators, the Bowen Bike Park Group, including Jen Henrichsen, Karen Cormier, Christoph Haase, Dan Cowan and teens Viggo Henrichsen and Harrison Cormier, and to Pat Podolski of Golden Dirt Trails who designed and built the park.
To everyone who has helped at the work parties and on the opening day. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Happy trails!
