Here are a few examples of what folks in our community are saying
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“Our Kids are Ecstatic about a “Mountain Bike Playground”
Our two daughters, aged 5 and 9, are both Bishop Elementary students and love mountain biking and playing outside. They’re over the moon about a “mountain bike playground” in the woods down the street from us. They adore pump tracks because of how fun they are and that anyone can ride them. They love the idea of going there from school with their friends, riding, hanging out, and meeting new kids. ”
“I would like a pump track and mountain biking park in Arlington because I would spend lots of time there.
Right now, I have to drive to the Allston pump track or Wakefield BMX to do fun biking things. When I go there I can ride with littler kids, bigger kids, and even grownups. We all use the same areas and enjoy them together.
I love biking because I can do it anytime, with anyone, and get lots of fresh air and exercise. I don’t have to wait for practice or a game like in soccer. I also like to go really fast, do fun tricks. and be in the woods.
It would be nice to be able to have a nicely maintained mountain biking area in my hometown. I hope Arlington decide to build one because I know first graders like me, as well as teenagers and grownups like my mom and dad would love it! ”
“I am 11 years old and I live in Arlington. This town is great but a pump track would make it amazing. I love riding pump tracks but the closest ones are 30 minutes away by car so my family and I don’t go a lot. It would be awesome if I could ride down the street and have a pump track there instead of having to drive many towns over to get to one. I know some people think that if we put a pump track in we would cut down a lot of trees but really pump tracks are almost like a part of the landscape they are in. I’ve been to pump tracks all around the country but I’m hoping that I won’t have to travel so far to get to one anymore. ”
“A Pump Track at Hills Hill will only enhance community, promote positive healthy habits, and give kids something more fun to do on their own and by themselves. And I think this last point is very important. So much of what our children do today is structured, perhaps too much so. I think many of us parents remember unstructured activities and unstructured time when we were young. I remember playing in the woods with my friends (oftentimes making bike tracks) until it got dark and my mom called me inside. A Pump Track will help us get closer to that memory I have of kids playing creatively on their own. This vision aligns perfectly with how Hills Hill was deeded to Arlington for youth recreation. I cannot think of a better outdoor recreational use for Hills Hill. ”
“Bike trails and nature can co-exist. With careful design they can have minimal impact on trees and habitat. By engaging habitat experts in trail design we can ensure a good solution that works for bikers, walkers and the ecosystem.”