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The bike park has absolutely no generation gap, from 8 to 80. What I am trying to promote with the bike parks are harmony within the families who are there to ride. When they go home after riding in the park, they're rejuvenated, they're happy and they're healthier. I won't build a track unless I can do a stormwater design. That comes back and feeds all of the plants. Once it rains and the material is moisturized, those plants are happy and they give off positive vibes. That's stepping away from a lot of things, but when you talk about the life of a plant, you give it good soil and rainwater and it's saturated and held in the garden, it gives those plants a lot more energy and it promotes positivity in the park. It's a bit Jedi but it happens. - Jim Dellavalle

It is a truly stunning moment when you are able to witness someone fall in love with riding bikes. Being able to witness this on a large scale, such as the grand opening of the Philadelphia Pumptrack, can change the way you see cycling. I've long said that I believe bikes have the power to save the world. I would be lying if I told you I always believed that. It's easy to lose track of what's important when riding your bike in the sea of noise that is out there telling you what to think, what to ride, where to ride and who to ride with. When riding bikes starts to feel politicized, the doubt it casts over your love for the sport and community can be disheartening. So when the simplest of terrain built for the simplest of bikes ends up in a neighbourhood where many of the bikes are missing pedals, seats and spokes; you can't help but wonder how this recipe is going to turn out. For Philadelphia, the result has been far more satisfying than anyone imagined.The Philadelphia Pumptrack has been a long time coming. Kenn Rymdeko, Heidi Grunwald and Harlan Price have taken on the almost excruciatingly arduous process of building on public land a half decade ago. "" recalls Kenn Rymdeko. "Harlan likens the initial pumptrack struggles to the long established skate scene and the continued problems they face in the city. "" As they dealt with the various groups and departments required to sign off on the project over the years, doubters of the track chimed in often. According to Heidi, a lot of the doubt came from the very people they needed the initial ground swell of support to get things going: mountain bikers. "Enter Jim Dellavalle, former pro BMX athlete, current owner of Dellavalle Designs and the man charged with the responsibility of maximizing the space allotted on the corner of 53rd and Parkside in Philadelphia. Jim's designs are visually stunning and in reality a blast to ride. But for the cyclo-ninja-artist from Monroe County, Pennsylvania, fun can be found in a lot of places. What's more important to him and his designs is making sure he can check off a number of elements and responsibilities he has set forth for himself and his brand. "" he says. "" In addition to the storm waterhe has for all of his designs, there's an overwhelmingly harmonious arc to his ambitions.Jim's designs inspired many of the people who were an integral part of this process. For Heidi, the decision to bring Jim into the fold was one that perfectly aligned with a problem she has long wanted to help provide a solution. "Despite the confidence Jim's design and approach instilled in the group effort, there were still hurdles they would have to overcome. "." Harlan explains. "" They were dealing with the water department, civil engineering, the city lawyers; one thing after another and there were a lot of stall outs. At one point late in the process, it was determined by civil engineering that a site survey of the land needed to be conducted, well after several trailer-loads of fresh dirt had been dumped on site to be shaped by Jim and his crew.But Kenn, Harlan, Heidi and the local community only worked harder as a result of these hurdles. "." Heidi says. "." Jim says. "" The kids are the centerpiece of this effort and the kids responded well. Saturdays were dig days and it was common to see 40+ kids at the site ready to get busy with brooms, shovels and anything else they could use to move and shape dirt. Power Corps PHL sent dozens of volunteers to the site as well. The program provides environmental stewardship initiatives as well as the City of Philadelphia’s youth workforce development and violence prevention priorities. Many of the Power Corps volunteers were locals and are itching to get on bike after lending a hand at the track.According to Chaz Brown, one of the regular visitors from Power Corps and resident of the surrounding neighborhood, this is about way more than just having fun on bikes. "Jim's design paired with the tireless efforts of Kenn, Heidi and Harlan and friends have helped the Philly Pumptrack become not only a centerpiece for bikes but a staple for the community. It is a feature of the city that is unique in its capacity to allow you to witness the birth of a passion for our sport and community. And for the reminder that priorities are important when it comes to riding bicycles. "." notes Jim. "" Harlan agrees. "" Kenn says. "" Like the rain gardens that line the ground between the berms and rollers, the Pumptrack is a seed that will hopefully blossom into something bigger for more and more kids throughout the city with time. Heidi is confident in the strength of the roots here. "The Philadelphia Pumptrack would not be possible without the tremendous support from the following: Specialized, SE Bikes, Fuji and Power Corps PHL.For more information on Jim Dellavalle and Dellavalle Designs click here For more information on PHL Power Corps click here For conditions and information on the Philadelphia Pumptrack click here