Rouge Park mountain-biking trail under construction

It takes most Detroiters an hour in the car to reach the nearest mountain biking trail. That could change with the city’s approval of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association’s plan to build a mountain biking trail at Rouge Park on the West Side.

“Beyond just the recreational benefits, we believe this trail will build greater awareness and stewardship for Rouge Park, the river corridor, and the outdoors in general,” says Todd Scott, executive director of the mountain biking group.

An Oct. 8 groundbreaking kicked off construction of the trail, which will be designed for beginner and intermediate cyclists with technical options for advanced riders. These options will be clearly marked and easy to bypass for less experienced riders and hikers. Less experienced riders will still be able to use an existing asphalt path. Bailout points will let beginners get back to the asphalt path easily.

In addition to the new trail, the mountain biking group will be working with Friends of Rouge Park and the Greening of Detroit to reforest portions of the park. The trial is anticipated to open in spring 2006.

Source: Todd Scott, executive director MMBA