Pictured is a schematic of the Winona Lake Bike Park. Image provided by Kosciusko County Velo Cycling.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — During a celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 26, Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) Cycling announced Phase One funding for the Winona Lake Bike Park is complete and initiated fundraising for the next phases of bike park construction.

Representatives for KCV Cycling, Grace College, K21 Health Foundation, and the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board spoke at the event, which took place at the Hauth Trailhead, near where the bike park will be built.

In 2021, KCV Cycling acquired 15 acres of land adjacent to the Winona Lake Mountain Bike Trails with the vision to build a comprehensive bike park for all ages that includes event space for Fat & Skinny Tire Fest and Winona Lake Trail Fest, pumptrack, skills zone, bike playground, jump lines, and more. Additional amenities include parking, a clubhouse with restrooms, and the opportunity for expansion of the Heritage Trail Greenway to neighborhoods southeast of the park.

Phase One fundraising commenced in 2021 to raise funds for the mortgage on the property and the preliminary design and planning of the bike park. Through personal donations, trail events, and grants from the Grace College Catalyst Corridor Initiative, the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission (KCCRVC), and K21 Health Foundation, KCV Cycling recently completed Phase One fundraising and has paid off the mortgage as well as completed the preliminary design of the bike park.

KCV Cycling is now launching Phase Two and Three to raise the estimated $3.2 million to complete the bike park. The Phase Two goal of $1.7 million includes site preparation, gravel parking lot, bike playground, skills park, dual slalom, progressive jump lines and more. The Phase Three goal ($1.5 million) includes a paved pumptrack, clubhouse and additional amenities, beginning once Phase Two is complete.

KCV Cycling President Mike Cusick addresses the crowd at the mortgage payoff celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

“We’re excited to complete Phase One fundraising for the Winona Lake Bike Park,” said Mike Cusick, KCV Cycling president. “We’ve now paid off our mortgage and completed the initial design of the park. We are going to start building the bike park this fall while we continue to fundraise for the next two phases.”

“KCV Cycling’s one of our favorite partners in this community,” said Rich Haddad, president and CEO, K21 Health Foundation. “You guys are changing the entire culture of Kosciusko County. The enthusiasm, opportunities, access, teaching of kids, and now the vision of having a transformational place right here at the bike park is just the next phase of becoming one of the most sought-after communities in probably not just in Indiana, but the Midwest.”

“I actually have to thank Craig Allebach for the dream for this bike park,” said Greg Demopoulos, KCV vice-president. “It goes back to 2016. He and I and Fred (Helfrich) went to the Indiana Bike Summit. The International Mountain Bike Association, who has a lot to do with the development of trails around the world, did a presentation, and at that time, the number two thing behind soccer fields for parks and recreation were bike parks. And it still is.”

Demopoulos said while KCV has worked on raising funds, they’ve held discussions with builders, one of which being Tim Halbakken with IMBA, a “world-renowned bike park designer.”

“He said, ‘This is going to be a world-class bike park,'” said Demopoulos. “‘You guys have an amazing community. This land is perfect. It doesn’t matter that you’re in the Midwest and it’s flat. This will be an awesome bike park.’ To say we’re excited about Phase Two and Three is an understatement.”

Demopoulous said the hope is to have a builder contracted for the work by Fall 2025.

Fundraising for Phase Two has begun and includes $1 million in grant awards from the Grace College Catalyst Corridor Initiative. Site preparation will start this fall with Phase Two bike park construction throughout next year. The remaining fundraising needs for Phase Two will be in parallel with the bike park construction. KCV is inviting local contractors to contribute their skills and expertise to this endeavor.

KCV Cycling Vice-President Greg Demopoulos discusses the bike park plan.

“The Winona Lake Bike Park is a great addition to our community and region,” said Haddad. “It adds to the popular Winona Lake Bike Trails and connects to our greenways and neighborhoods. This not only provides additional healthy activities for our residents and will be a world-class place to introduce and develop the next generation of bike lovers.”

“This section of Winona Lake is going to become a destination spot for healthy living and well-being in Kosciusko County, not just in northern Indiana, but in Indiana as a whole and the Midwest,” said Grace College President Dr. Drew Flamm.

KCV Cycling is currently seeking donations, grants, and sponsorships for these fundraising phases. For more information on donating, please visit kcvcycling.networkforgood.com or contact [email protected].

KCV Cycling will also be hosting Winona Lake Trail Fest at the Hauth Trailhead from Sept. 26-28. It features races, campfires, live music, and more.

An image posted on a sign at the Hauth Trailhead features community benefits of the bike park and a QR code for donations.