A new bike skills park in Salida will open to the public on Friday, December 6 providing riders of all ages and abilities with a unique opportunity to develop their skills and have fun on Salida’s trails.

The public is invited to attend a grand opening and first-ride event on 12/6 at 1:00pm at the F Street Trailhead (right across from the parking lot). Bring your friends and families, and join us to ride Salida’s newest trails!

Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) and Salida Parks and Recreation are partnering to develop the skills park as the keystone of the iconic Arkansas Hills Trail System, which sees more than 250,000 visitors per year. The park’s goal is to improve trail access and provide a gateway to mountain biking by supporting progressive skill development, primarily among kids and beginners.

“Salida has an expansive trail network, but we’ve historically lacked opportunities geared specifically toward children and beginners,” said Salida Mountain Trails Executive Director Jon Terbush. “The skills park will fill that gap, providing a dedicated place to develop skills and gain confidence on a bike, and thereby empowering more people to enjoy Salida’s incredible trails.”

Friday’s event will commemorate completion of the first phase of the skills park, which features two downhill trails: a beginner (green) and intermediate (blue) line. Additionally, Phase 1 made improvements to the surrounding area, including a reroute of the fall-line trail up Frontside, and realignment of the bottom section of Sand Dunes. With those updates, there is now a nice beginner-friendly loop around the skills park as well.

“This is a great addition to our trail system that has seen increasing users over the years,” said City of Salida Parks, Trails and Open Space Supervisor Zach Ryerson. “This was a unique partnership between private contractor Tony Boone, Salida Mountain Trails and City of Salida staff. It was great to work with them all, and I’m excited for the next steps. Building this for the community has been the highlight for the City Parks staff this year. Thanks to everybody who helped out and donated!”

Tony Boone, a renowned trailbuilder and Salida resident, built Phase 1 with support from SMT and Parks and Rec staff.

“It has been a true pleasure working with the City of Salida crew and Cat with SMT in my home town. We are so lucky to live and play here!,” said Boone. “Now we have a solid start on our skills park and can hopefully use this momentum to support more advanced lines and ultimately an asphalt pump track on the site. Time to think and plan bigger and start writing grants.”

A second phase is planned for 2025 to improve trailhead amenities, build an advanced line tailored to more experienced riders, and more. SMT is now fundraising toward Phase 2. To support the project and help us complete a stellar skills park in Salida, visit salidamountaintrails.org

“The community has wanted a skills park like this for a long time, and they stepped up in a big way to help us get it started,” said Terbush. “Donors have given more than $45,000 toward the project in just a few months, allowing us to open the first features this year and putting us well on our way to building out the rest of the park.”

SMT would in particular like to thank Salida Sunrise Rotary ($1,750) and Monarch Community Outreach ($1,500) for providing grants to fund Phase 1. Thank you as well to Brady’s West ($2,500) and Elevation Excavations ($1,000) for in-kind donations of materials.