Wallowa Bicycle Park

WALLOWA — Building Healthy Families has set a grand opening for the new Wallowa Bike Park, a 12,000-square-foot outdoor facility built on land donated by the Wallowa School District.

The celebration is Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The park is located at 207 W. Second St.

Community partners will offer swag, and raffles will be held during the day for bikes and skateboards. Also, Bobby Jones will be the guest speaker, and food and sno-cones will be available.

About the park

The park features rollers, tunnels, pump tracks, rock gardens and a wide number of areas for kids to ride bikes, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.

Donations and support came from local businesses and student volunteers, along with grants from organizations, such as The Roundhouse Foundation in Sisters.

“We know that the benefits of physical activity for children, especially in underserved areas like Wallowa, can contribute to better mental health, individual empowerment and a more inclusive community,” Ron Pickens of Building Healthy Families said in a press release.

Students from Wallowa County helped conduct pre-construction community surveys, raised funds, spoke at City Council meetings, and were involved with designing and constructing the park. A youth art contest was held to select the new logo for the park.

The park was built on a lot occupied by an unused tennis court on Wallowa School District land.

The Roundhouse Foundation provided a grant for both the first and final phases of the project, and additional financial support was received from The Ford Family Foundation, Autzen Foundation and Oregon Community Foundation — Trail Blazers Foundation Fund.

“We were so impressed with this project and the leadership that the young people of Wallowa County showed to make it happen,” said Erin Borla, executive director of The Roundhouse Foundation. “Building Healthy Families inspired their students and supported the learning of employable skills while leading this project through all phases: planning, design, fundraising and assisting with the construction. This local project also helps to make recreation opportunities accessible for families in this rural county while thinking creatively about a unique space in their community.”