Cleveland Metroparks today announced the opening of the Cleveland-Cliffs Bike Park at Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation, made possible with generous support from The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation. The new outdoor complex includes several first-of-its-kind features in the region including a public-use paved pump track, outdoor competition course, professional paved jump line and youth-focused bike playground.
“This multifaceted project provides new and exciting opportunities for cyclists of all ages and skill levels and will be an elite destination offering thrills for both riders and spectators,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman.
The Cleveland-Cliffs Bike Park is free for all visitors. The public-use pump track features a circuit of small hills and banked turns designed for bicycle motocross and mountain bike riders. The bike playground will offer beginners and youth an opportunity to practice their riding skills and build confidence. The competition course features multiple rollers, berms and a wood wrapped tunnel, while the paved jump line challenges more advanced riders.
“As a company rooted in Cleveland for over 175 years, Cleveland-Cliffs is excited to partner with Cleveland Metroparks in support of this unique bike park. This park will offer a new way guests can experience the Park District and appreciate the rich history of Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation, located near Cleveland-Cliffs’ Cleveland Works integrated steel mill in the industrial heart of the city,” stated James Graham, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer & Secretary.
The bike park is located just north of CanalWay Center, connecting to the nearby Towpath Trail that runs through the reservation and provides trail access directly to and from downtown Cleveland.
A recent study revealed that biking is one of the fastest growing activities for Cleveland Metroparks visitors, with 11% of all visitors identifying biking as their main reason for visiting the Park District. Cleveland Metroparks continues to expand its mountain bike trail offerings across the Emerald Necklace since the first 2.5-mile mountain bike trail in 2007 to more than 30 miles of mountain bike trails today across Northeast Ohio in Bedford, Mill Stream Run, Ohio & Erie Canal and West Creek reservations. Mountain bikers visiting Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation can also explore 2.25 miles of additional mountain bike trails recently completed by Cleveland Metroparks in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA).