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Exclusive: Beltline mountain bike park scores $8M gift, refines plans Josh Green Mon, 09/16/2024 - 13:33 A mountain bike park with connectivity to the Atlanta Beltline that’s being called world-class, remarkably inclusive, and a “game-changer” for the city’s Westside is several million steps closer to happening today, as project leaders exclusively tell Urbanize Atlanta.

Atlanta Beltline Partnership has secured an $8 million donation for the Westside Park project from the Chestnut Family Foundation, a charitable organization led by billionaire Mailchimp cofounder and former CEO Ben Chestnut and his wife Teresa.

Chestnut, a noted mountain biking enthusiast, stepped down as CEO of Intuit Mailchimp for a business advisory position two years ago, following Intuit’s acquisition of the Atlanta-based e-marketing giant.

Atlanta Beltline Partnership leaders are calling the $8 million pledge “transformative” and a significant milestone toward creating “one of the most unique and inclusive biking facilities in Atlanta,” which will offer a new recreation experience like nothing else in the metro today, according to an announcement.

The official name of the project is now Bike Park at Westside Park.

An overview of Bike Park at Westside Park with a legend. Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Partnership

The Chestnut Family Foundation partners with nonprofits that strive to improve access and choices for children—and the Chestnuts envision the bike park as an entrée into the world of mountain biking for numerous Atlanta communities.

“Westside Park is the perfect place to create new opportunities for residents to explore and enjoy the outdoors,” said Ben Chestnut in a prepared statement, “fostering a love for biking in communities that previously didn’t include unique trails like this.”

Beltline designers relayed in a planning meeting in August last year the mountain bike park will be installed across roughly 45 wooded acres at the northeast corner of Westside Park. The 280-acre greenspace—considered the largest in Atlanta—opened its first phase three years ago.

The design process has been ongoing throughout the past year, and exactly what the park will offer once fully funded and built has come into sharper focus.

The bulk of the project will see 2.25 miles of mountain biking trails that designers say will be catered to all skill levels—all minutes from the urban settings of Midtown and downtown.

Those will include beginner and intermediate routes with bridges, boardwalks, natural obstacles, rollers, berms, and switchback trails.

For more experienced (and daring) riders, a steeper gravity trail will be designed to challenge, with large rocks, tight switchbacks, technical rock gardens, steep drops, and other natural and built obstacles, according to the partnership.

That section will also see more serene hiking trails weaving through the forest at various levels of difficulty. Designs call for protecting the area’s mature tree canopy, minimizing environmental impact, and keeping bikers and hikers separate for safety, Beltline officials have said.

Other planned features of the park are described as follows:

Start area and overlook: The park will feature a dual-purpose start area integrated with an overlook, providing a stunning view of the bike park and surrounding landscape. This area will serve as a starting point for adventures and a spot for relaxation and social interaction.

Bicycle playground: Tailored for beginners, particularly children, this area will feature low-risk elements such as balance beams, small rollers, and gentle turns to help new riders build confidence and basic bike handling skills.

Jump lines: A range of jump lines will be available, from beginner-friendly to advanced, featuring clear signage for difficulty levels and safe landing zones to encourage progression and skill development.

Skills course: This area will present technical challenges such as narrow bridges, rock gardens, and tight switchbacks, designed to simulate real trail conditions and help riders of all levels improve their technical skills.

Pump track: Available for a variety of wheeled sports, this state-of-the-art asphalt pump track is designed for riders of all skill levels to practice momentum, balance, and agility. The track includes berms and rollers, allowing riders to refine their technique and bike control without pedaling.

The Atlanta Beltline Partnership has taken on the role of raising money for the bike park, while Atlanta Beltline Inc. will build it.

Zooming in to plans for the park’s bike playground and other sections. Courtesy of Atlanta Beltline Partnership

Design work remains in progress now, and according to current schedules, the initial phase of bike park construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025. Exactly how large that first phase will be is contingent on more funding coming in (additional fundraising measures are ongoing).

We’ve asked Beltline reps for information on the total project cost of the park as envisioned, and we’ll update this story with any additional details that come.

Atlanta Beltline Partnership executive director Rob Brawner said in the announcement an additional $6 million is being sought to “fully bring this ambitious design to life,” and that the Chestnut Family Foundation gift “serves as a powerful call to action for other donors.”

MTB Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, is also a partner in the bike park’s development.

Brett Davidson, MTB Atlanta executive director, called the Westside Park location ideal “due to its central location, bike connectivity, outstanding amenities, forest canopy, and unique topography,” he said. “This park will serve as a crucial hub for learning, inclusivity in cycling, and passive outdoor recreation right in the heart of the city.”

The scope of the Westside Park corner in question, situated between a hilltop greenspace (left) and the park’s reservoir. Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

For inspiration, Beltline designers have looked to Bentonville, Arkansas—aka, the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World”—where Walmart heirs who are mountain-biking enthusiasts have helped turn the city into something of a mecca for the sport.

Beltline president and CEO Clyde Higgs predicted the bike park will be “game-changer” for the Westside and critical component of the Beltline’s overall mission to boost the city’s health by way of inclusive recreation opportunities.

“It’s not just about physical activity,” said Higgs, “but about creating a community hub that will create a passion for a sport that many people will enjoy for decades.”

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