Atlanta is set to unveil a groundbreaking outdoor amenity that promises to be a game-changer for the city’s Westside, featuring a world-class bike park that is unprecedented in metro Atlanta.
Officials from Atlanta Beltline Inc. have recently shared detailed visuals and exciting plans for what will be known as the Bike Park at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, formerly known as Westside Park.
This ambitious project includes a variety of features such as a skills course, jump lines, an asphalt pump track, and a bicycle playground, all integrated into Atlanta’s largest greenspace.
The park, which spans an impressive 280 acres, aims to provide a recreational hub for cyclists of all skill levels while promoting the city’s cycling culture and healthy living.
Currently, the fundraising campaign for the bike park has made substantial progress, with over half of the $15 million goal already collected, thanks in part to a significant contribution from the Chestnut Family Foundation.
The foundation is led by Ben Chestnut, the cofounder and former CEO of Mailchimp, who is a known mountain biking enthusiast.
Designers for the bike park have indicated that the facility will occupy approximately 45 wooded acres at the northeast corner of Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.
The park aims to provide a diverse range of biking trails—totaling 2.25 miles—catering to cyclists from beginner to advanced levels.
These trails will be equipped with exciting features such as bridges, boardwalks, natural obstacles, rollers, and berms to create a thrilling riding experience.
For more experienced cyclists, a steeper gravity trail is planned, offering challenging elements such as tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and steep drops to push biking skills to the limit.
Furthermore, visitors can enjoy serene hiking trails that will loop through the forest, accommodating different levels of difficulty.
Among the planned attractions, the park will include a dual-purpose start area that offers an overview of the park and its features, serving as both a launch point for biking adventures and a social spot for relaxation.
A designated bicycle playground for beginners, particularly aimed at children, will incorporate features such as balance beams, small rollers, and gentle turns designed to build confidence and basic bike handling skills.
Jump lines of varying difficulty will also be available, complete with clear signage, allowing riders to progress at their own pace while ensuring safety with well-defined landing zones.
Additionally, the skills course will present a series of technical challenges, including narrow bridges and tight switchbacks, which aim to simulate real trail conditions for skill enhancement.
The state-of-the-art asphalt pump track designed for a range of wheeled sports will enable riders to practice their balance and agility without the need for pedaling.
The park’s planning phase emphasizes environmental sustainability, with a commitment to protecting the mature tree canopy and minimizing the ecological footprint of the project.
Furthermore, to ensure the safety of all visitors, bike and hiking trails will be designed to operate separately.
With the project anticipated to break ground by the end of 2025, the Atlanta Beltline Partnership is stepping up to spearhead fundraising efforts, while Atlanta Beltline Inc. will oversee construction.
The Bike Park at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park stands to become a crucial asset for the community, merging recreational fun with the natural beauty of Atlanta’s largest greenspace.
image source from：https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/westside-mountain-bike-park-plans-images-exclusive
