MORGANTOWN – The city of Morgantown and BOPARC are working out the details of a new bike skills amenity to be located along the Deckers Creek Trail, just across the creek from lower Greenmont.
The site is the former location of a BOPARC storage facility, which sat at the dead end of a short strip of road known as Valley Crossing, accessible off Powell Avenue (WV 7) near the “hogback turn.”
As part of Morgantown City Council’s upcoming agenda, the body is expected to vote on a $653,775 contract with Nature Trails NC to construct what’s being called a bike skills pump track.
A pump track is a circuit of rolling hills, banked turns and other features that allow riders/skaters to use momentum to propel themselves forward.
According to bid documents, the project will consist of site preparation and construction of a concrete park including a halfpipe and mini-ramp, a series of asphalt concrete bike skills features such as progressive jumps and bank returns, accessible pathways, seating, parking and a bike repair stand.
BOPARC leadership have touted the project, in part, due to its proximity to the Deckers Creek Trail, new amenities coming to lower Marilla Park and a trail head at the bottom of Whitemoore Park, a sign for which stands about 100 feet from the proposed location.
The majority of the project funding is coming by way of a $250,000 West Virginia Community Advancement and Development Land and Water Conservation Grant administered by the city and a $250,000 match from BOPARC.
Assuming the Nature Trails NC bid is accepted, details about who would cover the remaining $153,775 are still being finalized.
Based in North Carolina, Nature Trails NC is the same company selected to construct the trails, water crossings and non-motorized boat launch nearing completion at the Flegal Reservoir site off Cobun Creek Road. Morgantown City Council approved that $1.5 million contract in November 2024.
