There was overwhelming public support for a bike park on Bowen a year ago the initial plans were presented to council. Now that we’ve built agreat partnership with the Municipality, we are close to seeing the park built.

We agreed upon and surveyed a perfect little piece of municipal land just behind the outdoor classroom at BICS. Meetings with our neighbours - BICS and Metro Vancouver Parks - ensured that everyone’s concerns were met before we took our idea to an awesome bike park builder, Pat Podolski of Golden Dirt Trails.

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Pat has now completed the design for a pump track that is sure to be fun for a wide range of ages and skill levels. As he describes it, “We have designed a fun, safe and progressive Bike Park for everyone to enjoy in a controlled environment. Our design has an area for kids on run bikes as well as an area where kids can progress onto a beginner/intermediate track.”

We have been very fortunate to be the recipient of a Knick Knack Nook grant of $4000 and a Bowen Community Foundation grant of $3,000. On top of that, Vancouver Coastal Health awarded Bowen Island Municipality an additional $15,000 Active Communities grant.

Some of this money is designated to building and design costs but will also cover skills training workshops, transportation access and honorariums for bike park youth ambassadors.

We are very appreciative to have donations of equipment use by Home Farm Gardens. Other items - fencing hardware, mineral soil, moss seed, a roller compactor, and drainage pipe - we hope to also have donated. The remaining $20,000 we will be raising over the next month. We plan to start the build this November but it will take all the kids that will enjoy this park to work together to make it happen.

How can kids raise money to build their bike park?

Go on a bottle drive in your neighbourhood.

Do extra jobs for your parents and neighbours - leaf raking, wood stacking etc.

Write a fundraising email to everyone you know.

Get sponsors for biking to school ($5 for every day you bike!)

Donations of $100, $75, $50, or $25 can be made in person at the Recreation office at Bowen Island Community School or online at www.bowenrecreation.com. Search for Bike Park Donations in the registration system. Donations over $100 can be processed in person at the Municipal Hall (cheque). Tax receipts are available from Bowen Island Municipality.

Join the Facebook group Bowen Bike Park and follow us on Instagram at bowenbikepark

Updates and information will be posted here.

We’re so excited to have the support of the community to make the bike park a reality.