Forest Grove Park in Bettendorf, IA
Eric Perry has been talking a lot about the park being built in northern Bettendorf and the opportunity FORC would have to further promote mountain biking in our community.
---> click on the "Expanded Forest Grove Plan" link in the middle of the page <---
Today, I was sent a link to the "Master Plan" for the park. At this point, most of the planning seems conceptual and very, very progressive in the activities (zip lining?!!?) they are considering.
This progressive park concept being put in place by Bettendorf screams out for a bike/terrain park - a "mini Valmont" is being built near Chicago.
Map of Valmont Bike Park
The interesting, and mostly unknown fact about bike parks - they don't require mountain-type terrain, rather simply a gradual change in elevation, and they don't require a large piece of land. Also, the parks consist of more than simply jumps. For example, the park in Valmont has a network of XC trails, a learning loop, a "tots" area for the youngsters, and even a podium for events.
If there is any community in our area that will get behind something this progressive, it's Bettendorf.
IMBA's "pitch" on Valmont:
Anyone else stoked to make this happen in our community?
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