Sports
Rockburn Skills Park Opening in June
The multi-use trail system in Elkridge will have a June 2 ribbon-cutting.
The first-of-its-kind multipurpose trail system between the two branches of park in Elkridge will open next month.
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Recreation and Parks Director John R. Byrd will host the grand opening of the Rockburn Skills Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, with co-creators Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts and International Mountain Bicycling Assocation.
“Thanks to a public-private partnership" with the two bicycling groups, "we have been able to build a unique facility that really is a first in the region and, in fact, on the East Coast,” said Ulman in a May 16 statement.
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The Rockburn Skills Park will include various features, including the following:
- Pump track, which is a low-risk circuit for skill-building
- Three downhill trails of varying difficulties
- Uphill climbing trail with technical challenges
“We selected because of its existing infrastructure and the fact that it has an existing trail system that connects with , considered to be one of the preeminent mountain biking destinations in the Mid-Atlantic region because of its vast trail system," said Byrd.
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The International Mountain Bicycling Association flew in world-class trail designers, and and enlisted volunteers to clear the land and build the park.
“We wanted to provide a place where riders of any age and ability could practice and improve their confidence and skills including basic handling, turning, braking, climbing and descending," said Melanie Nystrom, the MORE liaison for the Rockburn Skills Park.
Construction on Rockburn Skills Park began April 23.
Project sponsors included Clif Bar, Diamondback, REI Columbia, REI Rockville, Patapsco Bike and Sport, Elkridge Youth Organization, Bike Doctor of Linthicum, Race Pace Bicycles, Family Bike Shop, Twenty20 Cycling and Single Speed Outlaw.
Both mountain bikers and runners can use the trail system, which Byrd said MORE will be in charge of maintaining.
The ribbon-cutting for Rockburn Skills Course will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2.
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