Oshawa’s BMX Bike Park already in use; grand opening August 18

BMX riders can celebrate the grand opening of Oshawa’s first (official) bike park next week when the first phase of the long awaited park gets it moment in the sun.

And, probably dirt and mud as well.

Phase 1 of the BMX Bike Park is a 5,000-square-metre dirt jump track featuring bermed corners, rolling step ups/downs, rollers, double rollers and tilted rollers and is divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks.

Riders have actually already got the chance to test the circuit out as the City opened the park early at the beginning of the month.

“It is wonderful to see cyclists of all ages on the three levels of difficulty courses, said Regional Councillor Rick Kerr, who has been working to get the track open since the City demolished the old, unsanctioned track in 2020. “The other aspect is to see young riders using the Multi-Use Path instead of Thornton Road to ride safely to and from the Bike Park from anywhere north and south of the park.”

Kerr hopes experienced riders will give new riders tips on how to safely use the park.

“So that people can get their technique down there before they move to the north end. And the north end will be combination of intermediate and advanced (loops),” he said.

Riders had created a hand-made, large-scale course that featured jumps and dirt trails, which became quite popular (if semi-secret) for years before the City, citing legal issues, tore it down two years ago.

Oshawa council approved the new BMX park, located off Thornton Road, north of Rossland Road, in March 2021 and construction began on Phase One in the fall 2021.

Weather and the discovery of a possible archeological site delayed the build, though the site found last year were the remains of settler homes, possibly from the 1800s and not archeologically significant.

Stage two of the park, which may start construction as early as next year, is planned to include a pump track. A pump track is a track for bikes that, when ridden properly, does not require pedalling or pushing, but a ‘pumping’ action to maintain momentum. Pump tracks are good for all ages.

Other plans discussed for the park could include a basketball court or splash pad. The final plans are not yet determined.

Along with the park, there is the development of a multi-use path, which will run on the east side of east connecting to the park and future GO transit stations.

“So it’s going to it’s going to link all of this up all the active transportation and access to the bike park as well,” says Kerr.

Cyclists are clearly anxious to get back on the trails, according to Kerr. “The buzz in the cycling community is pretty huge.”