Corvallis Bike Park Project
About the Project:
The City of Corvallis is excited to announce that we have entered into an agreement to purchase a five-acre parcel of land that is intended to serve as the future home of Corvallis’ much anticipated bike park. The parcel is located at the terminus of Lester Avenue and adjoins Chip Ross Park and Natural Area and Timberhill Natural Area. This area is heavily used by the public and provides access to regional trail networks, making the bike park a natural extension of these existing resources.
Corvallis Parks & Recreation is leading the planning and design process and is eager to embark on the project. Walker Macy, an industry leading landscape architecture firm with a long history of successful projects in Corvallis, has been selected as the lead designer. They are joined by Chris Bernhardt of C2 Recreation, a worldwide leader in trail and bike park design.
Volunteer on the Advisory Board!
Corvallis Parks and Recreation is seeking two members of the public to serve on the Bike Park Advisory Committee alongside bike and trail advocates, technical experts, and recreational coordinators. Applicants should have a love for parks and outdoor spaces and be enthusiastic about advancing outdoor recreational opportunities in the community. Applications are due: Friday, March 21.
Click here to download an application
Applications can be emailed to travis.north@corvallisoregon.gov or dropped off at Avery Admin Office (1310 SW Avery Park Drive)
Project Team:
Meredith Petit, Director, Corvallis Parks and Recreation
Travis North, Project Manager, Corvallis Parks and Recreation
Walker Macy, Lead Design & Planning Consultant / View projects at walkermacy.com
C2 Consulting, Lead Trail and Bike Park Designer
Project Budget:
Estimated $2.1 Million (includes property acquisition, design, and construction)
Question and Answer:
What is a bike park?
Great question! A bike park can mean a lot of different things and can include everything from a small children’s “bike playground” found at your local park to extreme downhill courses found at larger ski/bike resorts. Common elements at a bike park often include:
- Children’s Playground: small navigational courses that teach kids how to ride bikes and navigate both paved and unpaved trails.
- Pump Track: a looped course that consists of berms and small rollers. Riders use the speed gathered on the hills to gain enough speed that pedaling is typically not required. Pump tracks can be paved or unpaved. Parkitect has a great demonstration here
- Skills Course: Dirt trails that mimic obstacles and challenges typically encountered when mountain bike riding. As the name suggest, a skills course allows riders to progressively build their mountain biking skills before hitting the open trail.
- Jump Lines: Shaped dirt ramps of all sizes that allow riders to catch some air.
- Slalom Course: Gravity-fed dirt-track course typically used for competitions between two riders.
Given existing site constraints, it is unlikely the site can accommodate all these features. The public outreach and design process will be critical in determining what elements the site should and can accommodate.
Where can I learn more about bike parks?
We recommend visiting (virtually or in-person) some of the bike parks in Oregon.
- Gateway Green Bike Park in Portland, Oregon: An Overview
- Gateway Green Bike Park in Portland, Oregon: A Video
- Cedar Park Project History and Overview in Sandy, Oregon
- Big Sky Bike Park in Bend, Oregon
- Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville, Arkansas / Why Cities Build Bike Parks?
Why was this site selected for a bike park?
After nearly ten years of searching for a suitable location, it became painfully obvious that there is no perfect site or location. Parcels of land in the urban core that are 5+ acres in size are exceedingly rare and sell at a premium due to recent changes in land use that allow greater housing density. Large parcels of land are more available on the urban fridge but may lack readily available access to the urban core and come with their own host of challenges, such as the availability of utilities and site-specific natural resource protections.
Because of its proximity to existing local and regional recreational amenities, including miles of outdoor trails, this site was identified as a top priority early in the process. We are fortunate to have found a willing seller and grateful for their willingness to work with us to bring Corvallis its first ever bike park.
Is this really happening?
We sure hope so. Over the course of the next several months, the project team will be assessing the feasibility of the site and whether it can accommodate the site amenities and infrastructure necessary to support a bike park. Additionally, the project will need to secure local land use approvals and any permits required at the state or federal level prior to final purchase of the property. These are not insurmountable challenges, but do require careful planning.
Will there be a restroom and potable water?
Restrooms and potable water are key drivers of park use and we hope to provide both at this site. State and local regulations will dictate the type of restroom that can be provided and whether it is a standard flush system, drop toilet, or porta potty.
Will the bike park accommodate participants with disabilities?
Yes, ensuring ADA compliance is a top priority. We are planning accessible parking spaces, restrooms, and pathways to common non-bike areas such as the pavilion. Additionally, we aim to make as many trails and features, including a pump track, accessible to adaptive riders with specialized bikes. While the final design will depend on the site's capabilities, our goal is for at least 50% of the bike park to be rideable with an adaptive mountain bike.
Isn't there already a bike park on SE Chapman Place in Corvallis?
The facility on SE Chapman Place is primarily a BMX track, which differs from what is commonly recognized as a bike park within the off-road cycling community. Bike parks include a diverse array of features designed for mountain biking, such as flow trails and technical trails, making them distinct from BMX-focused facilities.
Will the parking lot at Chip Ross Park be improved as part of this project?
Parking lot improvements are anticipated as part of this project and will be determined through the planning and design process.
How can I participate in the planning and design process?
There are a variety of ways to participate in the process.
- Public outreach events are anticipated in April, May and June. More details to come.These interactive events are a great opportunity to provide input and to be involved with the project.
- Email comments can be sent to Travis North, Park Planner, travis.north@corvallisoregon.gov
When is the bike park expected to be open to the public?
We hope to begin construction in the Spring of 2026, with the park opening to the public by the Fall of 2026. However, a variety of factors could influence this timeline, most notably the availability of grant funds at the state and federal level.
Will the existing trails at Chip Ross Park and Timberhill Natural Area be improved as part of this project?
Trail improvements at Chip Ross Park and Timberhill Natural Area are not part of this project. However, the project does include limited funding to explore local and regional trail connections, which is intended to act as catalyst for future trail improvements.
Will the bike park extend onto the adjacent parkland?
Except for the anticipated parking lot improvements, the bike park could possibly
connect to
adjacent parkland.
How will the project be funded?
Acquisition of the property and the planning and design of the bike park will be paid out of Parks and Recreation’s System Development Charge fund (SDC). System Development Charges are assessed on new residential and commercial development in the city and are intended to pay for facility and infrastructure needs directly attributable to population and job growth
