The local track offers multiple skill paths, progressive jumps, rollers( small rounded bumps you push down into to build speed), berms( tall, banked corners that let you turn fast without sliding), drops( step-downs where you roll or pop off a ledge to land smoothly below), and jumps( shaped takeoffs and landings that let riders get a little— or a lot— of air).
Nolan and her wife, Kate, said they and their children have loved traveling to pump tracks all over the country to test their biking skills.
“ We really wanted to bring that to Brown County,” Kate Nolan said.
The couple’ s idea got reinforced when they hosted a festival in Nashville and installed a small modular track that got an enormous response from adults and kids, who used the track all day and asked whether it would remain in Brown County permanently.
By the time the couple approached county officials, the Brown County Parks and Recreation Department already had a pump track in its fiveyear plan, based on community feedback.
Mark Shields, director of Brown County Parks & Recreation, said when the department collected feedback from the community a few years ago about what kind of programming and services they’ d like to see, a pump track“ was among the amenities most requested.”
“ The pump track offers a fun, engaging outdoor recreational opportunity for both youth and adult cyclists to develop skills, improve balance and coordination, as well as building confidence on the bike,” he said via email.“ This new amenity will be an attraction for not only Brown Countians, but also for visitors outside of the community as well.”
Shields said the department is“ grateful and excited” for the park and the Nolans’ help.
With the help of friends and customers, the Nolans raised nearly $ 50,000, which doubled thanks to a matching grant secured by the Brown County Community Foundation. That got the project a good way to its $ 200,000 price tag.
The foundation’ s president, Alice Susemichel, said the pump track supports health and wellness, one of the foundation’ s main areas of interest.
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